City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Milford, IA

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

3,315
Residents
$60,571
Median income
$211,000
Median home
$1,091
Median rent (state)

Milford - the verdict

Nationally, Milford sits in the 36th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

36th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Milford, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,315 residents in Milford, a small town within Iowa. Milford households earn a median of $60,571 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.7%. Milford's housing stock carries a median value of $211,000, and the median resident age is 45.8 years. 24.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 68.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 44% from five years earlier. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 46.0°F with 29.5 inches of precipitation per year and 38.0 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,091 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 18.0 minutes, with 76.4% driving alone and 3.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 36.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

3,315 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$60,571 /yr

Poverty 2.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Milford compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Milford toward the top of Iowa's cities

Among the 849 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Milford ranks #115 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Milford only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#527 of 845
38th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#145 of 858
82nd percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#115 of 849
86th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#631 of 858
26th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#215 of 858
74th 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.

36thIncome percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Milford's home value compares nationally

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

$211,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Milford $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 - Milford, IA Milford, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Milford, 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 Milford, IA median $60,571/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%
Milford, 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 Milford, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.4%

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

Population
3,315
Median Income
$60,571
Median Home Value
$211,000
Median Age
45.8
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Labor force participation
68.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.1%

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.0°F
Annual Precipitation
29.5"
Annual Snowfall
38.0"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,150 residents3,200 residents3,250 residents3,300 residents3,350 residents3,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,335 residents 3,209 residents ▼ -3.8%
Milford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 20
2021 24
2022 12
2023 11
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 44% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.0 minutes
Drive Alone
76.4%
Carpool
11.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
3.7%
Other
5.8%

Based on 1,841 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 Milford sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,091/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
36.3 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Williamsburg
3,347 people
Robins
3,349 people
Story City
3,363 people
West Burlington
3,184 people
New Hampton
3,462 people
Tipton
3,111 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Milford's 3,315 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

West Lake Hills, TX
3,315 people
Jefferson, OR
3,316 people
Newbern, TN
3,313 people
Dilley, TX
3,312 people
East Richmond Heights, CA
3,311 people
Fordyce, AR
3,320 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Milford's $60,571 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Homestead Meadows South, TX
$60,571 median income
Yadkin College, NC
$60,568 median income
Saraland, AL
$60,577 median income
Adamsville, AL
$60,564 median income
Augusta, KS
$60,581 median income
Little Rock, AR
$60,583 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Milford, 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 Milford, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 96.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.9% White 96.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.4% 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 Milford 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
Milford (this city) 3,315 $60,571
Williamsburg 3,347 $65,607
Robins 3,349 $122,500
Story City 3,363 $73,558
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Milford, IA?

What is the population of Milford, IA? +

Milford, IA counts 3,315 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Milford households earn a median of $60,571 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Milford? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Milford; 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.

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

Homes in Milford carry a median value of $211,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Milford? +

Climate normals put Milford's yearly average temperature at 46.0°F, 29.5 inches of precipitation, and 38.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.