City · Iowa
Algona, Iowa
Algona, city, in Kossuth County, Iowa. Algona had 5,309 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,487 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,377 (±26). GEOID 1901135.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,309
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,487 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,377 ±26
Median household income
$56,040
±$4,787 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$160,800
±$10,460 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$885
±$48 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Algona and what county is it in?
Algona is a city in Kossuth County, Iowa. It covers 4.6 square miles of land, 1,184 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Algona, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,309 people lived in Algona on July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020 Census counted 5,487 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,377 (±26).
| Measure | Algona | Kossuth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,377 ±26 | 14,516 | −70 |
| Households | 2,552 ±130 | 6,543 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.02 ±0.10 | 2.17 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,703 ±133 | 7,205 | no clear change |
Algona's population since 2000
From 5,741 in 2000 to 5,309 in 2025: down 7.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Algona as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Algona?
The median resident of Algona is 40.1 years old; 20.3% are under 18 and 25.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.0%. 7.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Algona | Kossuth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 ±2.8 | 44.2 | −6.5 |
| Under 18 years | 20.3% ±1.8 pts | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.7% ±3.4 pts | 25.4% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±2.3 pts | 50.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.0% ±1.5 pts | 4.5% | +7.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.1% ±2.8 pts | 91.7% | −9.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±2.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.5% ±2.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.9% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±2.6 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3% ±3.7 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.5% ±2.8 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1% ±2.7 pts | 95.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.5% ±4.8 pts | 22.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4% ±2.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.9% ±5.2 pts | 88.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4% ±3.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Algona earn?
Half of Algona's 2,552 households earn less than $56,040 a year (±$4,787), against $67,697 in Kossuth County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,351 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,311 after inflation. 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Algona | Kossuth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,040 ±$4,787 | $67,697 | −$7,311 |
| Mean household income | $74,133 ±$9,308 | $86,441 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,587 ±$3,999 | $38,458 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.9% ±2.8 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.4% ±5.2 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.7% ±3.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.2% ±4.0 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.8% ±4.4 pts | 87.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Algona?
Owners occupy 68.9% of Algona's occupied homes and renters 31.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $160,800 by its owner (±$10,460). The median renter pays $885 a month including utilities, and 30.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Algona | Kossuth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $160,800 ±$10,460 | $148,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $885 ±$48 | $859 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.4% ±11.6 pts | 27.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,226 ±$118 | $1,248 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.9% ±6.6 pts | 78.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 31.1% ±6.6 pts | 21.4% | – |
| Housing units | 2,703 ±133 | 7,205 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4% ±4.7 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.6% ±5.3 pts | 85.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.7% ±3.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.5% ±5.0 pts | 30.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.7% ±4.9 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Algona building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Algona in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.2 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Algona work and get to work?
81.8% of Algona's workers drive alone and 3.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 11.2 minutes.
| Measure | Algona | Kossuth County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.4% ±4.4 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% ±1.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8% ±6.1 pts | 79.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.8% ±5.0 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 5.1% ±3.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.9% ±1.8 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.2 min ±1.8 | 16.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Algona?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Algona, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,583 (Tract 9504) to $69,042 (Tract 9505).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9505Kossuth County | 3,337 | $69,042 |
| Tract 9504Kossuth County | 2,639 | $49,583 |
| Tract 9506Kossuth County | 2,126 | $90,147 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Algona) · Census block assignment files
How does Algona compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Algona is the 4,728th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 81st-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Algona ranks 247th of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 81st | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 239th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 103rd | 279 |
| Median household income | 247th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 172nd | 279 |
| Median home value | 156th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 111th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 179th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 121st | 279 |
| Median age | 132nd | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 193rd | 279 |
| Work from home | 215th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 275th | 279 |
Algona's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Algona with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Algona?
17 of the 57 figures for Algona on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Algona are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Algona.