COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Lee County

Iowa · 38,052 residents · 517.55 sq mi

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Part of the Fort Madison micropolitan area

The short version

Lee County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $36,193. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $61,100.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Older

median age 39.5

US median: 35.2

Less educated

13% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 30%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

38,052

−2%since 1990

from 38,687 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

74 / sq mi

−2%since 1990

from 75 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

39.5

+10%since 1990

from 36.0 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202433K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$36,193

+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $24,671 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$18,430

+60%since 1990

from $11,488 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

9.7%

−3.2 ptssince 1990

from 12.9% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$61,100

+30%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $35,600 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$398

+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $293 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

75.5%

+1.4 ptssince 1990

from 74.1% in 1990

24.5% rent

Afford Score

1.7

+17%since 1990

from 1.4 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Lee County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic95.8%(37,050)

Black3%(1,176)

Hispanic / Latino1.8%(691)

Asian0.3%(110)

Diversity Score14.2%(5,487)

2000

White, non-Hispanic93%(35,401)

Black2.8%(1,050)

Hispanic / Latino2.4%(902)

Asian0.4%(150)

Diversity Score13.4%(5,117)

Diversity Score

−5%since 1990

from 14 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

12.5%

+1.8 ptssince 1990

from 10.7% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

83.6%

+6.1 ptssince 1990

from 77.5% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

3.4%

−0.1 ptssince 1990

from 3.4% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

11.6 min

−30%since 1990

from 16.7 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Lee County

Head to head

Compare Lee County to nearby counties

LEE COUNTY VS

Clark County

Income$51,781+43%

Home value$130,700+114%

Population6,475−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LEE COUNTY VS

Hancock County

Income$65,865+82%

Home value$113,800+86%

Population16,803−48%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LEE COUNTY VS

Henry County

Income$67,436+86%

Home value$164,300+169%

Population19,349−40%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LEE COUNTY VS

Des Moines County

Income$62,928+74%

Home value$136,500+123%

Population38,077+18%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Lee County, Iowa?

Lee County, Iowa has about 38,052 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Lee County, Iowa?

The typical household in Lee County, Iowa earns about $36,193 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lee County, Iowa expensive?

In Lee County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $61,100, and the typical rent is about $398 a month.

How educated are people in Lee County, Iowa?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Lee County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lee County, Iowa?

About 9.7% of people in Lee County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lee County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Lee County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 635 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →