County · Iowa

Adams County, Iowa

Adams County, Iowa. Adams County had 3,617 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 19003.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

3,617

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,704 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,622

Median household income

$71,875

±$7,511 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059

Median home value

$131,600

±$26,979 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000

Median gross rent

$893

±$190 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972

How many people live in Adams County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 3,704 residents in Adams County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,617 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,622 over 423 square miles of land.

  • July 2020→2021 −71 (3,639)
  • 2021→2022 −39 (3,600)
  • 2022→2023 −41 (3,559)
  • 2023→2024 +41 (3,600)
  • 2024→2025 +17 (3,617)
Adams County in Iowa. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.
Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureAdams CountyIowaChange since 2015-2019
Total population3,6223,210,507−48
Households1,540±921,315,707no clear change
Average household size2.29±0.132.36no clear change
Housing units1,889±241,437,699−117

Adams County's population since 2000

From 4,482 in 2000 to 3,617 in 2025: down 19.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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.

  • 2000 Census 4,482
  • 2005 (estimate) 4,226
  • 2010 Census 4,029
  • 2015 (estimate) 3,752
  • 2020 Census 3,704
  • 2025 (estimate) 3,617

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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Adams County?

Adams County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Corning with 1,511 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Adams County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.
Corningcity1,5641,567±146$64,773$96,40012.4%100%
PrescottGEOID 1964560city191213±68$65,000$51,7004.7%100%
NodawayGEOID 1956865city7473±34$58,125$48,8008.2%100%
CarbonGEOID 1910585city3646±25$48,750not published30.4%100%
Lenoxcity1,3391,569±156$61,000$111,40011.3%0%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Adams County?

The median resident of Adams County is 46.3 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 24.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.2%.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureAdams CountyIowaChange since 2015-2019
Median age46.3±0.838.6−1.0
Under 18 years22.3%±0.5 pts22.9%–
65 years and over24.2%±0.3 pts18.1%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.7%7.3%+0.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic94.5%±0.7 pts82.3%−3.5 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic0.3%±0.3 pts3.8%–
Asian alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.7 pts2.5%–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.2%±0.4 pts0.2%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.7 pts0.2%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic3.2%±0.9 pts3.5%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.1 pts0.3%–
Born outside the United States0.5%±0.4 pts5.9%–
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)2.5%±1.4 pts9.1%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)9.1%±1.6 pts6.5%–
With a disability13.7%±2.9 pts12.6%–
No health insurance coverage3.3%±1.8 pts5.0%no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)93.9%±2.2 pts93.3%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)27.0%±3.6 pts31.4%+11.4 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)5.8%±2.1 pts10.5%–
Moved from another state in the past year0.8%±0.5 pts2.2%–

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 Adams County earn?

Half of Adams County's 1,540 households earn less than $71,875 a year (±$7,511), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $60,618 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,257 after inflation. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureAdams CountyIowaChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$71,875±$7,511$75,059+$11,257
Mean household income$103,589±$17,427$98,187–
Per capita income$44,632±$7,392$40,877+$9,631
People below the poverty line9.1%±2.5 pts11.1%−5.0 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line6.8%±3.9 pts12.9%−9.6 pts
Households receiving SNAP9.5%±3.6 pts8.8%–
Households with a broadband subscription84.8%±3.5 pts88.9%–

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 Adams County?

Owners occupy 77.1% of Adams County's occupied homes and renters 22.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $131,600 by its owner (±$26,979). The median renter pays $893 a month including utilities, and 25.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureAdams CountyIowaChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$131,600±$26,979$208,000no clear change
Median gross rent$893±$190$972no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent25.5%±11.6 pts35.2%+15.4 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,313±$127$1,533–
Owner-occupied homes77.1%±4.5 pts71.7%no clear change
Housing units1,889±241,437,699−117
Homeowner vacancy rate4.6%±3.2 pts0.8%–
Rental vacancy rate7.6%±6.2 pts5.7%–
Single-family detached homes84.1%±4.0 pts72.2%–
Mobile homes9.2%±3.2 pts3.2%–
Built 2020 or later1.3%±0.9 pts1.7%–
Built 1939 or earlier37.1%±4.9 pts23.5%–

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 Adams County building?

Builders took permits for 12 new housing units across Adams County in 2025 (12 single-family), 3.3 per 1,000 residents.

  • 2019 3 units
  • 2020 7 units
  • 2021 2 units
  • 2022 2 units
  • 2023 5 units
  • 2024 2 units
  • 2025 12 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Adams County get to work?

77.1% of Adams County's workers drive alone and 10.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureAdams CountyIowaChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)60.0%±3.2 pts66.4%–
Unemployment rate3.9%±2.0 pts3.6%no clear change
Drove alone to work77.1%±4.1 pts76.0%–
Carpooled10.6%±3.5 pts7.8%–
Public transportation0.0%±1.5 pts0.7%–
Walked1.7%±1.2 pts2.9%–
Worked from home10.0%±3.1 pts11.3%no clear change
Mean travel time to work19.1 min±1.919.8 minno 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 are Adams County's census tracts?

Adams County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $62,266 (Tract 9502) to $88,083 (Tract 9501).

Census tracts of Adams County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column
Tract 950119003950100Prescott (4%)1,5871,560±129$88,083$204,700$1,1715.7%
Tract 950219003950200Corning (39%)2,1172,062±129$62,266$105,400$76111.7%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Adams County compare with Iowa's other counties?

Adams County's rank among Iowa's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
MeasureRank
Population99th of 99
Growth 2020-202579th of 99
Residents per square mile98th of 99
Median household income43rd of 99
Median home value78th of 99
Median gross rent23rd of 99
Poverty rate67th of 99
Bachelor's degree or higher22nd of 99
Median age6th of 99

Every county in Iowa

Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Adams County 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' school search.