City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Sioux City, IA

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

85,651
Residents
$65,473
Median income
$162,600
Median home
$980
Median rent (state)

Sioux City - the verdict

Nationally, Sioux City sits in the 44th percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
31st
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
8th
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: Sioux City, IA

85,651 people live in Sioux City, Iowa - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $65,473 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.6%. Sioux City's housing stock carries a median value of $162,600, and the median resident age is 35.4 years. About 21.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 140 residential building permits were authorized in Sioux City (Construction Slowdown), down 59% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Sioux City's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3879.4 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $980 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Iowa run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 49.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

85,651 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$65,473 /yr

Poverty 11.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Sioux City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 31% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% 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: Sioux City ranks #136 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 Sioux City'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.

44thIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sioux City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sioux City'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
Sioux City'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 Sioux City's home value compares nationally

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

$162,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 69% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sioux City $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 - Sioux City, IA Sioux City, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sioux City, 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 Sioux City, IA median $65,473/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%
Sioux City, 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 Sioux City, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

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

Population
85,651
Median Income
$65,473
Median Home Value
$162,600
Median Age
35.4
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3879.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
555.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3324.0
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
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
85,500 residents86,000 residents86,500 residents87,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 85,893 residents 86,356 residents ▲ +0.5%
Sioux City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
140
housing units authorized
Single-Family
48
detached homes
Multifamily
92
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 341
2020 521
2021 106
2022 196
2023 138
2024 140

Permit volume decreased 59% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.9%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
4.6%
Other
0.6%

Based on 41,776 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 Sioux City sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$980/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.2 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Iowa City
75,264 people
Ankeny
70,542 people
Davenport
101,083 people
West Des Moines
69,893 people
Waterloo
66,947 people
Ames
66,112 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sioux City's 85,651 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Melbourne, FL
85,718 people
Franklin, TN
85,575 people
San Ramon, CA
85,734 people
Medford, OR
85,794 people
Lake Forest, CA
85,846 people
Auburn, WA
85,455 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sioux City's $65,473 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Francesville, IN
$65,469 median income
Carrington, ND
$65,469 median income
Nevada, OH
$65,469 median income
Kanawha, WV
$65,469 median income
Wauzeka, WI
$65,469 median income
Schofield, WI
$65,478 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sioux City, 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 Sioux City, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.2% 14.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 21.9% White 70.2% Black or African American 5.5% Asian 2.8% American Indian 1.9% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 4.4% Two or more races 14.7% 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 Sioux City 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
Sioux City (this city) 85,651 $65,473
Iowa City 75,264 $57,533
Ankeny 70,542 $106,603
Davenport 101,083 $64,497
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sioux City, IA?

What is the population of Sioux City, IA? +

The population of Sioux City, IA stands at 85,651 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sioux City, IA? +

Median annual household income in Sioux City runs $65,473, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sioux City? +

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

Sioux City has a total crime rate of 3879.4 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 Sioux City, IA? +

A typical home in Sioux City is worth $162,600, 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.