County · Iowa
Buchanan County, Iowa
Buchanan County, Iowa. Buchanan County had 20,883 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 11 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19019.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,883
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,565 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,694
Median household income
$78,236
±$3,797 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$176,000
±$8,421 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$848
±$68 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Buchanan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,565 residents in Buchanan County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,883 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,694 over 571 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,694 | 3,210,507 | −424 |
| Households | 8,252±200 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.06 | 2.36 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 8,945±31 | 1,437,699 | −149 |
Buchanan County's population since 2000
From 21,093 in 2000 to 20,883 in 2025: down 1.0%. 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 Buchanan County?
Buchanan County holds 11 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Independence with 6,312 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Independence | 6,064 | $73,806 |
|---|---|---|
| Jesup | 2,508 | $89,408 |
| Winthrop | 823 | $69,792 |
| Fairbank | 1,111 | $89,712 |
| Hazleton | 713 | $51,964 |
| Quasqueton | 570 | $75,000 |
| Lamont | 429 | $61,250 |
| Brandon | 341 | $61,250 |
| Rowley | 270 | $60,313 |
| AuroraGEOID 1903835 | 169 | $62,656 |
| StanleyGEOID 1974955 | 81 | $70,500 |
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 Buchanan County?
The median resident of Buchanan County is 40.3 years old; 25.4% are under 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.2%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3±0.4 | 38.6 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 25.4%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.6%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.0%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.0%±1.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7%±2.1 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1%±1.2 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.4%±2.0 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±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 Buchanan County earn?
Half of Buchanan County's 8,252 households earn less than $78,236 a year (±$3,797), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $79,795 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,236±$3,797 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,957±$3,560 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,527±$1,505 | $40,877 | −$4,545 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.6%±1.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.7%±3.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.6%±1.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.1%±1.6 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 Buchanan County?
Owners occupy 82.1% of Buchanan County's occupied homes and renters 17.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $176,000 by its owner (±$8,421). The median renter pays $848 a month including utilities, and 30.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $176,000±$8,421 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $848±$68 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.9%±6.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,376±$40 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.1%±2.0 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,945±31 | 1,437,699 | −149 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8%±4.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.1%±2.4 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.4%±2.5 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 Buchanan County building?
Builders took permits for 62 new housing units across Buchanan County in 2025 (58 single-family), 3.0 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 Buchanan County get to work?
77.9% of Buchanan County's workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.8%.
| Measure | Buchanan County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.9%±1.4 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8%±1.1 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.9%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±1.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.4%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.5 min±1.4 | 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 Buchanan County's census tracts?
Buchanan County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $73,056 (Tract 9505) to $85,125 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950119019950100 | 2,528±213 | $77,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219019950200 | 3,763±337 | $73,361 |
| Tract 950319019950300 | 3,164±289 | $78,947 |
| Tract 950419019950400 | 2,807±256 | $85,125 |
| Tract 950519019950500 | 3,823±256 | $73,056 |
| Tract 950619019950600 | 4,609±371 | $85,054 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buchanan County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 31st of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 99 |
| Median household income | 17th of 99 |
| Median home value | 35th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 72nd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 99 |
| Median age | 71st 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 Buchanan 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.