City · Iowa
Independence, Iowa
Independence, city, in Buchanan County, Iowa. Independence had 6,312 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,064 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,164 (±32). GEOID 1938100.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,312
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,064 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,164 ±32
Median household income
$73,806
±$14,181 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$165,300
±$8,725 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$820
±$137 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Independence and what county is it in?
Independence is a city in Buchanan County, Iowa. It covers 6.0 square miles of land, 1,006 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 Independence, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,312 people lived in Independence on July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 6,064 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,164 (±32).
| Measure | Independence | Buchanan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,164 ±32 | 20,694 | +108 |
| Households | 2,753 ±147 | 8,252 | +244 |
| Average household size | 2.19 ±0.12 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,906 ±131 | 8,945 | no clear change |
Independence's population since 2000
From 6,014 in 2000 to 6,312 in 2025: up 5.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Independence 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 Independence?
The median resident of Independence is 40.9 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.3%.
| Measure | Independence | Buchanan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9 ±2.6 | 40.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% ±2.3 pts | 25.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9% ±2.5 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Male | 48.5% ±2.4 pts | 50.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% ±1.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.0% ±1.7 pts | 95.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1% ±1.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±2.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.9% ±3.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2% ±2.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.6% ±2.0 pts | 94.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.7% ±5.0 pts | 22.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1% ±3.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.5% ±4.1 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8% ±1.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
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 Independence earn?
Half of Independence's 2,753 households earn less than $73,806 a year (±$14,181), against $78,236 in Buchanan County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $66,577 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Independence | Buchanan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,806 ±$14,181 | $78,236 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,127 ±$9,267 | $89,957 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,961 ±$4,012 | $36,527 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.6% ±2.6 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.7% ±5.3 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.0% ±2.4 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.2% ±3.0 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2% ±3.1 pts | 87.1% | – |
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 Independence?
Owners occupy 72.2% of Independence's occupied homes and renters 27.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,300 by its owner (±$8,725). The median renter pays $820 a month including utilities, and 28.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Independence | Buchanan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $165,300 ±$8,725 | $176,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $820 ±$137 | $848 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.5% ±9.5 pts | 30.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,363 ±$55 | $1,376 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.2% ±5.3 pts | 82.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.8% ±5.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Housing units | 2,906 ±131 | 8,945 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.3% ±7.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.2% ±5.5 pts | 83.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% ±1.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.6% ±2.5 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.9% ±5.5 pts | 24.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.8% ±3.6 pts | 6.6% | – |
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 Independence building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units in Independence in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 1.1 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 Independence work and get to work?
81.3% of Independence's workers drive alone and 5.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes.
| Measure | Independence | Buchanan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.7% ±3.7 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% ±2.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 81.3% ±4.8 pts | 77.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.0% ±3.6 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 2.5% ±2.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.8% ±2.7 pts | 8.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min ±2.6 | 23.5 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 Independence?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Independence, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $73,056 (Tract 9505) to $85,125 (Tract 9504).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9505Buchanan County | 3,823 | $73,056 |
| Tract 9504Buchanan County | 2,807 | $85,125 |
| Tract 9506Buchanan County | 4,609 | $85,054 |
| Tract 9502Buchanan County | 3,763 | $73,361 |
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 Independence) · Census block assignment files
How does Independence compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Independence is the 4,308th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 66th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Independence ranks 120th 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 | 66th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 50th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 158th | 279 |
| Median household income | 120th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 123rd | 279 |
| Median home value | 148th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 151st | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 165th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 133rd | 279 |
| Median age | 112th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 156th | 279 |
| Work from home | 173rd | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 136th | 279 |
Independence's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Independence 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 Independence?
18 of the 57 figures for Independence 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 Independence 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 Independence.