City · Iowa
Osceola, Iowa
Osceola, city, in Clarke County, Iowa. Osceola had 5,679 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,415 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,523 (±35). GEOID 1959835.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,679
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,415 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,523 ±35
Median household income
$68,284
±$7,809 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$146,300
±$35,008 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$943
±$94 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Osceola and what county is it in?
Osceola is a city in Clarke County, Iowa. It covers 8.0 square miles of land, 680 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 Osceola, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,679 people lived in Osceola on July 1, 2025, up 5.1% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 5,415 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,523 (±35).
| Measure | Osceola | Clarke County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,523 ±35 | 9,662 | +420 |
| Households | 2,581 ±177 | 4,071 | +413 |
| Average household size | 2.09 ±0.15 | 2.34 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 2,947 ±145 | 4,522 | +554 |
Osceola's population since 2000
From 4,659 in 2000 to 5,679 in 2025: up 21.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Osceola 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 Osceola?
The median resident of Osceola is 37.6 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.3%. 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Osceola | Clarke County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.6 ±3.6 | 37.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.7% ±2.9 pts | 25.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.6% ±3.0 pts | 19.9% | – |
| Male | 50.5% ±3.3 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.3% ±2.2 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.5% ±3.2 pts | 77.5% | −3.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| 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 | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.6% ±2.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.7% ±5.0 pts | 6.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.8% ±6.3 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4% ±3.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| With a disability | 21.5% ±4.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2% ±2.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.5% ±5.2 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.0% ±4.9 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5% ±3.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.4% ±5.9 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
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 Osceola earn?
Half of Osceola's 2,581 households earn less than $68,284 a year (±$7,809), against $71,641 in Clarke County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $60,849 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Osceola | Clarke County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,284 ±$7,809 | $71,641 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,096 ±$23,512 | $95,019 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,928 ±$5,821 | $37,883 | +$10,149 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.4% ±3.3 pts | 9.7% | −10.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.9% ±7.0 pts | 16.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.8% ±7.4 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.3% ±3.4 pts | 92.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.1% ±3.6 pts | 86.8% | – |
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 Osceola?
Owners occupy 61.8% of Osceola's occupied homes and renters 38.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $146,300 by its owner (±$35,008). The median renter pays $943 a month including utilities, and 30.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Osceola | Clarke County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $146,300 ±$35,008 | $161,100 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $943 ±$94 | $931 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.1% ±15.0 pts | 29.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,377 ±$125 | $1,416 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8% ±8.8 pts | 72.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.2% ±8.8 pts | 27.7% | – |
| Housing units | 2,947 ±145 | 4,522 | +554 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6% ±4.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0% ±9.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.0% ±8.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.7% ±3.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.2% ±7.2 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.1% ±7.0 pts | 20.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 17.9% ±7.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
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 Osceola building?
Builders took permits for 120 new housing units in Osceola in 2025 (120 in single-family houses), 21.1 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 Osceola work and get to work?
83.6% of Osceola's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes.
| Measure | Osceola | Clarke County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.8% ±5.7 pts | 64.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% ±5.8 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 83.6% ±8.2 pts | 80.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.4% ±6.0 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0% ±4.5 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min ±3.3 | 24.3 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 Osceola?
1 census tract lies mostly in Osceola, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9601Clarke County | 5,532 | $68,241 |
| Tract 9603Clarke County | 2,163 | $81,094 |
| Tract 9602Clarke County | 1,967 | $85,590 |
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 Osceola) · Census block assignment files
How does Osceola compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Osceola is the 4,560th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 73rd-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Osceola ranks 155th 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 | 73rd | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 42nd | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 232nd | 279 |
| Median household income | 155th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 108th | 279 |
| Median home value | 187th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 75th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 190th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 261st | 279 |
| Median age | 187th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 255th | 279 |
| Work from home | 151st | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 130th | 279 |
Osceola's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Osceola 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 Osceola?
15 of the 57 figures for Osceola 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 Osceola 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 Osceola.