City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Ottumwa, IA

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

25,352
Residents
$56,994
Median income
$92,400
Median home
$1,068
Median rent (state)

Ottumwa - the verdict

Nationally, Ottumwa sits in the 30th percentile for household income and the 16th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
26th
percentile, median rent
16th
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: Ottumwa, IA

25,352 people live in Ottumwa, Iowa - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $56,994 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 14.0%. Ottumwa's housing stock carries a median value of $92,400, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. Educational attainment runs 20.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 38 residential building permits were authorized in Ottumwa (Building Boom), up 1167% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Ottumwa's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3013.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Iowa scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,068 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Commute times here average 16.5 minutes, with 77.9% driving alone and 3.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 65.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

25,352 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$56,994 /yr

Poverty 14.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Ottumwa compare to other US cities?

Where Ottumwa sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% pricier than other cities
Safety 16% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Iowa and the picture shifts: Ottumwa ranks #133 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ottumwa's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

30thIncome percentile
16thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 16th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ottumwa's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ottumwa'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 43 Avg. percentile National median
Ottumwa'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 Ottumwa's home value compares nationally

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

$92,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Ottumwa $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 - Ottumwa, IA Ottumwa, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA median $56,994/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%
Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

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

Population
25,352
Median Income
$56,994
Median Home Value
$92,400
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
14.0%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3013.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
397.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2616.6
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.

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,100 residents25,200 residents25,300 residents25,400 residents25,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,462 residents 25,319 residents ▼ -0.6%
Ottumwa's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
38
housing units authorized
Single-Family
32
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 3
2021 5
2022 4
2023 44
2024 38

Permit volume increased 1167% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.5 minutes
Drive Alone
77.9%
Carpool
14.6%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
3.7%
Other
2.1%

Based on 11,705 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 Ottumwa sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,068/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
65.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Fort Dodge
24,788 people
Clinton
24,425 people
Johnston
24,196 people
Burlington
23,800 people
Waukee
26,974 people
Mason City
27,135 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ottumwa's 25,352 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Brandon, MS
25,352 people
Denison, TX
25,347 people
Corsicana, TX
25,344 people
De Pere, WI
25,368 people
Caledonia, WI
25,292 people
Sugar Hill, GA
25,285 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ottumwa's $56,994 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Worth, IL
$56,998 median income
East Hazel Crest, IL
$57,000 median income
Summitville, IN
$57,000 median income
Fremont, MI
$57,000 median income
Dumas, MS
$57,000 median income
Newman Grove, NE
$57,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.5% 8.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.4% White 77.5% Black or African American 4.6% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 2.7% Some other race 4.8% Two or more races 8.0% 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 Ottumwa 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
Ottumwa (this city) 25,352 $56,994
Fort Dodge 24,788 $61,769
Clinton 24,425 $57,493
Johnston 24,196 $103,430
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ottumwa, IA?

What is the population of Ottumwa, IA? +

The population of Ottumwa, IA stands at 25,352 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Ottumwa runs $56,994, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ottumwa? +

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

Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3013.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Ottumwa, IA? +

The median home value in Ottumwa is $92,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

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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.