City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Panama, IA

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

283
Residents
$61,250
Median income
$121,600
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Panama - the verdict

Nationally, Panama sits in the 37th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

37th
percentile, household income
18th
percentile, home value
6th
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: Panama, IA

Panama is a small town in Iowa, home to 283 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Panama brings in $61,250 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.5%. Panama's housing stock carries a median value of $121,600, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. About 12.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 73.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). 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). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 22.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

283 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$61,250 /yr

Poverty 1.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Panama compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 37% higher than other cities
Home value 18% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% 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

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 Panama'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.

37thIncome percentile

37th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Panama's home value compares nationally

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

$121,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 82% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Panama $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 - Panama, IA Panama, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Panama, 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 Panama, IA median $61,250/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%
Panama, 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 Panama, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 73.2%

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

Population
283
Median Income
$61,250
Median Home Value
$121,600
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
1.5%
Labor force participation
73.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.6%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
230 residents231 residents232 residents233 residents234 residents 202020212022202320242025 233 residents 231 residents ▼ -0.9%
Panama's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 1
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.9%
Carpool
0.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
12.6%
Work from Home
8.0%

Based on 175 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 Panama 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
22.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Diamondhead Lake
283 people
Rhodes
285 people
Rose Hill
286 people
Barnum
279 people
Thor
276 people
Danbury
291 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Panama's 283 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sipsey, AL
283 people
Carrizo, AZ
283 people
Lead Hill, AR
283 people
Red Cliff, CO
283 people
Siloam, GA
283 people
Oakdale, IL
283 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Panama's $61,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Graysville, AL
$61,250 median income
Copper Center, AK
$61,250 median income
Allensworth, CA
$61,250 median income
Tranquillity, CA
$61,250 median income
Wiley, CO
$61,250 median income
Ellenton, GA
$61,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Panama, 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 Panama, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.0% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 89.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.8% Two or more races 8.5% 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 Panama 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
Panama (this city) 283 $61,250
Diamondhead Lake 283 $125,000
Rhodes 285 $71,029
Rose Hill 286 $77,143
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Panama, IA?

What is the population of Panama, IA? +

283 people live in Panama, IA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Panama runs $61,250, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Panama? +

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

The median home value in Panama is $121,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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