County · Iowa
Boone County, Iowa
Boone County, Iowa. Boone County had 26,799 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 12 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 19015.
Boone County is one of the 2 counties of the Ames, IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,799
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,715 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,668
Median household income
$83,531
±$5,481 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$212,400
±$9,259 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$845
±$61 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Boone County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 26,715 residents in Boone County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,799 for July 1, 2025, up 0.3% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,668 over 570 square miles of land.
| Measure | Boone County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,668 | 3,210,507 | +298 |
| Households | 10,936±270 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,041±56 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Boone County's population since 2000
From 26,224 in 2000 to 26,799 in 2025: up 2.2%. 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.
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 Boone County?
Boone County holds 12 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Boone with 12,471 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Boone | 12,460 | $69,222 |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 2,802 | $89,844 |
| Ogden | 2,007 | $70,268 |
| Woodward | 1,346 | $65,658 |
| Boxholm | 181 | $49,375 |
| Pilot MoundGEOID 1962850 | 163 | $58,750 |
| LutherGEOID 1947280 | 152 | $100,938 |
| FraserGEOID 1928920 | 101 | $69,063 |
| BeaverGEOID 1905185 | 46 | $73,750 |
| BerkleyGEOID 1906040 | 23 | not published |
| SheldahlGEOID 1972345 | 297 | $80,938 |
| Slater | 1,543 | $97,500 |
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 Boone County?
The median resident of Boone County is 42.4 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 20.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.9%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Boone County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±0.9 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.0%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.0%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.9%±0.5 pts | 82.3% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±0.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.3%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1%±1.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.5%±2.3 pts | 31.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.5%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 Boone County earn?
Half of Boone County's 10,936 households earn less than $83,531 a year (±$5,481), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $78,764 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Boone County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,531±$5,481 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,765±$4,971 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $42,125±$1,965 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.2%±1.2 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.2%±2.4 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1%±1.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Boone County?
Owners occupy 80.0% of Boone County's occupied homes and renters 20.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $212,400 by its owner (±$9,259). The median renter pays $845 a month including utilities, and 28.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Boone County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $212,400±$9,259 | $208,000 | +$49,087 |
| Median gross rent | $845±$61 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.1%±6.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,632±$75 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.0%±2.5 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,041±56 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.8%±6.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.9%±2.5 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.9%±3.4 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 Boone County building?
Builders took permits for 207 new housing units across Boone County in 2025 (64 single-family), 7.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Boone County get to work?
79.2% of Boone County's workers drive alone and 10.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.5%.
| Measure | Boone County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.3%±1.8 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 3.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.2%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.1%±1.8 pts | 11.3% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±1.3 | 19.8 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 are Boone County's census tracts?
Boone County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,885 (Tract 202) to $114,966 (Tract 201).
| Tract 20119015020100 | 3,232±275 | $114,966 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 20219015020200 | 3,764±404 | $66,885 |
| Tract 20319015020300 | 5,927±446 | $68,895 |
| Tract 20419015020400 | 2,635±345 | $74,318 |
| Tract 20519015020500 | 5,442±427 | $100,634 |
| Tract 20619015020600 | 2,034±184 | $95,913 |
| Tract 20719015020700 | 3,634±254 | $77,302 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Boone County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 23rd of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 99 |
| Median household income | 10th of 99 |
| Median home value | 18th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 97th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 99 |
| Median age | 44th of 99 |
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 Boone 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.