County · Iowa
Calhoun County, Iowa
Calhoun County, Iowa. Calhoun County had 9,562 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19025.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,562
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,927 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,803
Median household income
$64,964
±$5,720 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$118,800
±$6,946 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$723
±$26 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Calhoun County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,927 residents in Calhoun County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,562 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,803 over 570 square miles of land.
| Measure | Calhoun County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,803 | 3,210,507 | +59 |
| Households | 3,993±153 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.09 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,798±33 | 1,437,699 | −274 |
Calhoun County's population since 2000
From 11,115 in 2000 to 9,562 in 2025: down 14.0%. 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 Calhoun County?
Calhoun County holds 13 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Rockwell City with 2,133 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rockwell City | 2,240 | $56,741 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake City | 1,731 | $74,167 |
| Manson | 1,709 | $66,250 |
| Pomeroy | 526 | $53,542 |
| Farnhamville | 383 | $57,188 |
| Lohrville | 381 | $46,250 |
| Twin LakesGEOID 1979335 | 316 | $109,712 |
| Somers | 128 | $52,750 |
| KnierimGEOID 1941790 | 53 | $89,000 |
| Lytton | 282 | $62,708 |
| RinardGEOID 1967125 | 38 | $69,375 |
| JolleyGEOID 1939900 | 28 | not published |
| YetterGEOID 1987375 | 19 | not published |
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 Calhoun County?
The median resident of Calhoun County is 42.8 years old; 21.7% are under 18 and 23.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.6%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Calhoun County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8±0.7 | 38.6 | −1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 21.7%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.7%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% | 7.3% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3%±0.6 pts | 82.3% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | −0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.5%±1.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.4%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.9%±1.8 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.8%±2.2 pts | 31.4% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±1.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±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 Calhoun County earn?
Half of Calhoun County's 3,993 households earn less than $64,964 a year (±$5,720), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $64,394 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Calhoun County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,964±$5,720 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,729±$6,483 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,315±$2,525 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.3%±1.5 pts | 11.1% | −3.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.5%±2.7 pts | 12.9% | −8.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2%±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 Calhoun County?
Owners occupy 80.5% of Calhoun County's occupied homes and renters 19.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $118,800 by its owner (±$6,946). The median renter pays $723 a month including utilities, and 25.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Calhoun County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $118,800±$6,946 | $208,000 | +$17,883 |
| Median gross rent | $723±$26 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.8%±7.3 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,093±$61 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.5%±2.4 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,798±33 | 1,437,699 | −274 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.3%±2.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.8%±4.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.6%±2.7 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.5%±2.4 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 Calhoun County building?
Builders took permits for 13 new housing units across Calhoun County in 2025 (13 single-family), 1.4 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 Calhoun County get to work?
78.8% of Calhoun County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Calhoun County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.2%±2.0 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.8%±2.5 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±1.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min±1.7 | 19.8 min | +3.3 min |
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 Calhoun County's census tracts?
Calhoun County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,167 (Tract 9502) to $75,526 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950119025950100 | 2,451±215 | $72,179 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219025950200 | 2,862±205 | $54,167 |
| Tract 950319025950300 | 2,224±144 | $62,273 |
| Tract 950419025950400 | 2,266±178 | $75,526 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Calhoun County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 75th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 93rd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 80th of 99 |
| Median household income | 78th of 99 |
| Median home value | 91st of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 85th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 63rd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 59th of 99 |
| Median age | 39th 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 Calhoun 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.