City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Denison, IA

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

8,247
Residents
$63,850
Median income
$137,600
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Denison - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Denison lands in the 41st percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
66th
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: Denison, IA

Iowa's Denison is a small town, with 8,247 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Denison brings in $63,850 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 19.1%. Home values in Denison run a median of $137,600, and the median resident age is 34.0 years. About 18.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 33% from five years earlier. Denison reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 945.6 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 47.5°F with 33.6 inches of precipitation per year and 34.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $919 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 60.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

8,247 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$63,850 /yr

Poverty 19.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Denison compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Denison ranks #73 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Denison against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Denison near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Denison ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Denison only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#459 of 845
46th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#320 of 849
62nd percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#54 of 858
94th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#409 of 858
52nd percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

41stIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Denison's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Denison'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Denison'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 Denison's home value compares nationally

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

$137,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. Denison $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 - Denison, IA Denison, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Denison, 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 Denison, IA median $63,850/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%
Denison, 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 Denison, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

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

Population
8,247
Median Income
$63,850
Median Home Value
$137,600
Median Age
34.0
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
945.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
124.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
821.2
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
33.6"
Annual Snowfall
34.5"

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 →
8,100 residents8,200 residents8,300 residents8,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,360 residents 8,214 residents ▼ -1.7%
Denison's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 0
2021 1
2022 5
2023 3
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.9%
Carpool
16.5%
Public Transit
5.6%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
2.9%
Other
0.8%

Based on 4,003 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 Denison sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Sioux Center
8,335 people
Bondurant
8,061 people
Perry
7,928 people
Webster City
7,769 people
Clear Lake
7,603 people
Decorah
7,597 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Denison's 8,247 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oak Hills, CA
8,246 people
Prien, LA
8,248 people
Rhinelander, WI
8,248 people
Somers, WI
8,245 people
Orange Beach, AL
8,244 people
Orland, CA
8,252 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Denison's $63,850 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sterrett, AL
$63,854 median income
Cloquet, MN
$63,854 median income
Essex, MO
$63,854 median income
Westhaven-Moonstone, CA
$63,843 median income
West Yarmouth, MA
$63,859 median income
Speculator, NY
$63,839 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Denison, 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 Denison, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 56.0% 14.9% 22.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 48.7% White 56.0% Black or African American 3.0% Asian 3.3% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 14.9% Two or more races 22.1% 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 Denison 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
Denison (this city) 8,247 $63,850
Sioux Center 8,335 $87,555
Bondurant 8,061 $128,341
Perry 7,928 $63,983
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Denison, IA?

What is the population of Denison, IA? +

Denison, IA counts 8,247 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Denison, the typical household earns $63,850 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Denison? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Denison; 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 Denison, IA safe? +

Denison has a total crime rate of 945.6 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 Denison, IA? +

The median home value in Denison is $137,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Denison? +

Climate normals put Denison's yearly average temperature at 47.5°F, 33.6 inches of precipitation, and 34.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.