City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Adel, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Adel - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

6,259
Residents
$96,905
Median income
$320,500
Median home
$1,318
Median rent (state)

Adel - the verdict

Adel ranks in the 76th percentile for household income and the 76th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

76th
percentile, household income
68th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
76th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Adel, IA

Adel is a small town in Iowa, home to 6,259 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Adel brings in $96,905 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.4%. Adel's housing stock carries a median value of $320,500, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. About 43.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 70.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 75 residential building permits were authorized in Adel (Building Boom), up 275% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Adel reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 714.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Iowa scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,318 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

6,259 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$96,905 /yr

Poverty 4.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Adel compare to other US cities?

Here's how Adel stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 68% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 76% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Iowa, Adel ranks #59 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Adel's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

76thIncome percentile
76thSafety percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income · 76th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Adel's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Adel's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Adel's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Adel's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$320,500 32nd percentile more affordable than 32% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Adel $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Adel, IA Adel, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Adel, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Adel, IA median $96,905/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Adel, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Adel, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 43.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
6,259
Median Income
$96,905
Median Home Value
$320,500
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor force participation
70.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
43.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
714.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
76.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
638.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,000 residents6,500 residents7,000 residents7,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,194 residents 7,098 residents ▲ +14.6%
Adel's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
75
housing units authorized
Single-Family
75
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 20
2020 48
2021 88
2022 39
2023 111
2024 75

Permit volume increased 275% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.7%
Carpool
3.7%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
4.1%
Work from Home
14.7%
Other
2.6%

Based on 3,134 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Adel sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,318/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Orange City
6,312 people
Independence
6,149 people
Maquoketa
6,105 people
Asbury
5,949 people
Oelwein
5,878 people
Estherville
5,865 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Adel's 6,259 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Taylor, PA
6,261 people
Vero Lake Estates, FL
6,262 people
East Rochester, NY
6,263 people
Pembroke Park, FL
6,254 people
Briar, TX
6,253 people
Yardville, NJ
6,266 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Adel's $96,905 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Loganville, PA
$96,905 median income
Lewiston, MN
$96,912 median income
Burley, WA
$96,897 median income
Woodland Park, CO
$96,896 median income
Chagrin Falls, OH
$96,914 median income
Garrison, MD
$96,916 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Adel, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Adel, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.0% 6.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 88.0% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.4% Two or more races 6.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Adel compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Adel (this city) 6,259 $96,905
Orange City 6,312 $81,667
Independence 6,149 $72,250
Maquoketa 6,105 $56,039
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Adel, IA?

What is the population of Adel, IA? +

The population of Adel, IA stands at 6,259 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Adel, IA? +

Adel households earn a median of $96,905 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Adel? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Adel; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Adel, IA safe? +

Adel has a total crime rate of 714.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Adel, IA? +

Homes in Adel carry a median value of $320,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.