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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

O'Brien County

Iowa · 14,182 residents · 573.035 sq mi
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The short version

O'Brien County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,200. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $116,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,182
−6%since 2000
from 15,102 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
25 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 26 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.0
+3%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
14K14K15K15K16K1990201020202024O'Brien County
202414K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,200
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,758 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,149
+80%since 2000
from $17,281 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.6%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.4%
US avg: 10%
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction8.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,300
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$576
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $373 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
26.1% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+23%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in O'Brien County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(14,623)
Black0.3%(46)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(267)
Asian0.5%(75)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.3%(957)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(12,609)
Black1.1%(159)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(985)
Asian0.6%(79)
Other0.3%(49)
Diversity Score21.2%(3,008)
Segregation Score10.8%(1,530)
Diversity Score
21
+235%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
11
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.8%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 80.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+39%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.2%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 2.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.3%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.2%
−89.2 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to O'Brien County

Boundary County
Pop 13,997
Fremont County
Pop 14,208
Cass County
Pop 12,463
De Witt County
Pop 15,118
Places similar to O'Brien County
Head to head

Compare O'Brien County to nearby counties

O'BRIEN COUNTY VS
Osceola County
Income$69,239+21%
Home value$122,600+5%
Population5,980−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
O'BRIEN COUNTY VS
Cherokee County
Income$71,269+25%
Home value$158,700+36%
Population11,369−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
O'BRIEN COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$65,428+14%
Home value$178,600+54%
Population16,202+14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
O'BRIEN COUNTY VS
Sioux County
Income$86,098+51%
Home value$250,100+115%
Population36,774+159%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in O'Brien County, Iowa?

O'Brien County, Iowa has about 14,182 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in O'Brien County, Iowa?

The typical household in O'Brien County, Iowa earns about $57,200 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is O'Brien County, Iowa expensive?

In O'Brien County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $116,300, and the typical rent is about $576 a month.

How educated are people in O'Brien County, Iowa?

About 21.8% of adults age 25 and over in O'Brien County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in O'Brien County, Iowa?

About 11.1% of people in O'Brien County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has O'Brien County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, O'Brien County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,262 residents, a change of about -8 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 4903Census Tract 4902Census Tract 4901Census Tract 4904
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 51346ZIP 51248ZIP 51245ZIP 51046ZIP 51058ZIP 51022ZIP 51231ZIP 51009
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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