CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Palo Alto County

Iowa · 8,996 residents · 563.864 sq mi
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The short version

Palo Alto County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,437. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $107,300. Poverty is rare here, at 5.7% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,996
−11%since 2000
from 10,147 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
16 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 18 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.6
+7%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K9K10K10K11K1990201020202024Palo Alto County
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,437
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,409 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,636
+67%since 2000
from $17,733 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
37.0%
+17.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.7%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 10%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction9.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing5.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,300
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$545
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $337 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
24.5% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+10%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Palo Alto County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(9,956)
Black0.1%(9)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(77)
Asian0.3%(31)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(292)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(8,391)
Black0.6%(52)
Hispanic / Latino3%(274)
Asian0.4%(37)
Other3.4%(305)
Diversity Score17.5%(1,573)
Segregation Score17.9%(1,611)
Diversity Score
17
+508%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
18
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.8%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.7%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.0 min
+40%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 64.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
33.1%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−88.6 ptssince 2013
from 92.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Palo Alto County

Jasper County
Pop 9,032
Greenlee County
Pop 9,312
Cumberland County
Pop 10,208
Benton County
Pop 8,883
Places similar to Palo Alto County
Head to head

Compare Palo Alto County to nearby counties

PALO ALTO COUNTY VS
Emmet County
Income$63,730+13%
Home value$114,100+6%
Population9,107+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALO ALTO COUNTY VS
Pocahontas County
Income$61,875+10%
Home value$98,100−9%
Population6,819−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALO ALTO COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$65,428+16%
Home value$178,600+66%
Population16,202+82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PALO ALTO COUNTY VS
Kossuth County
Income$67,697+20%
Home value$148,300+38%
Population14,322+61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Palo Alto County, Iowa?

Palo Alto County, Iowa has about 8,996 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Palo Alto County, Iowa?

The typical household in Palo Alto County, Iowa earns about $56,437 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Palo Alto County, Iowa expensive?

In Palo Alto County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $107,300, and the typical rent is about $545 a month.

How educated are people in Palo Alto County, Iowa?

About 24.8% of adults age 25 and over in Palo Alto County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Palo Alto County, Iowa?

About 5.7% of people in Palo Alto County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Palo Alto County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Palo Alto County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,673 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9604
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 50536ZIP 51342ZIP 50597ZIP 51358ZIP 50562ZIP 50528ZIP 50515ZIP 50527
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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