County · Iowa
Dickinson County, Iowa
Dickinson County, Iowa. Dickinson County had 18,077 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.1% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19059.
Dickinson County is the county of the Spirit Lake, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,077
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,703 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,990
Median household income
$75,432
±$5,466 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$270,700
±$17,339 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$922
±$31 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Dickinson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,703 residents in Dickinson County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,077 for July 1, 2025, up 2.1% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,990 over 381 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dickinson County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,990 | 3,210,507 | +863 |
| Households | 8,845±279 | 1,315,707 | +671 |
| Average household size | 2.00±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,206±298 | 1,437,699 | +352 |
Dickinson County's population since 2000
From 16,424 in 2000 to 18,077 in 2025: up 10.1%. 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 Dickinson County?
Dickinson County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Spirit Lake with 5,525 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Spirit Lake | 5,439 | $65,720 |
|---|---|---|
| Milford | 3,321 | $63,369 |
| Lake Park | 1,167 | $74,500 |
| Arnolds Park | 1,110 | $86,833 |
| Okoboji | 768 | $73,000 |
| OrleansGEOID 1959655 | 521 | $74,750 |
| Wahpeton | 345 | $107,917 |
| Terril | 334 | $43,889 |
| West Okoboji | 308 | $66,250 |
| SuperiorGEOID 1976440 | 132 | $75,625 |
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 Dickinson County?
The median resident of Dickinson County is 48.7 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 28.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.2%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dickinson County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.7±1.0 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.2%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 7.3% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.4%±0.4 pts | 82.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | −0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.7%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±2.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.6%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | −1.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.9%±1.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.2%±2.5 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±1.2 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.6 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 Dickinson County earn?
Half of Dickinson County's 8,845 households earn less than $75,432 a year (±$5,466), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $73,803 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dickinson County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,432±$5,466 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $102,164±$5,350 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,636±$2,400 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.6%±1.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.9%±3.1 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8%±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 Dickinson County?
Owners occupy 77.5% of Dickinson County's occupied homes and renters 22.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $270,700 by its owner (±$17,339). The median renter pays $922 a month including utilities, and 34.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dickinson County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $270,700±$17,339 | $208,000 | +$31,576 |
| Median gross rent | $922±$31 | $972 | −$117 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.5%±7.9 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,529±$70 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5%±2.9 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,206±298 | 1,437,699 | +352 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.0%±2.6 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.9%±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.7%±2.0 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 Dickinson County building?
Builders took permits for 117 new housing units across Dickinson County in 2025 (78 single-family), 6.5 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 Dickinson County get to work?
77.7% of Dickinson County's workers drive alone and 10.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.0%.
| Measure | Dickinson County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.5%±1.6 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.7%±3.1 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.5%±2.3 pts | 11.3% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.7 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 Dickinson County's census tracts?
Dickinson County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,774 (Tract 4505.01) to $91,974 (Tract 4510).
| Tract 450219059450200 | 2,338±215 | $87,292 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4505.0119059450501 | 2,537±320 | $57,774 |
| Tract 4505.0219059450502 | 3,018±336 | $77,614 |
| Tract 450819059450800 | 3,724±280 | $65,417 |
| Tract 451019059451000 | 2,381±265 | $91,974 |
| Tract 451119059451100 | 3,992±280 | $75,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dickinson County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 39th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 13th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 99 |
| Median household income | 27th of 99 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 16th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 84th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 99 |
| Median age | 1st 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 Dickinson 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.