County · Iowa
Hamilton County, Iowa
Hamilton County, Iowa. Hamilton County had 14,944 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 9 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 19079.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,944
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,039 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,886
Median household income
$72,432
±$8,050 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$156,400
±$11,246 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$877
±$51 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Hamilton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,039 residents in Hamilton County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,944 for July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,886 over 577 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,886 | 3,210,507 | −111 |
| Households | 6,434±208 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.07 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,040±46 | 1,437,699 | −155 |
Hamilton County's population since 2000
From 16,438 in 2000 to 14,944 in 2025: down 9.1%. 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County holds 9 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Webster City with 7,815 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Webster City | 7,825 | $63,430 |
|---|---|---|
| Jewell Junction | 1,216 | $81,250 |
| Stratford | 707 | $47,875 |
| Ellsworth | 508 | $77,500 |
| Stanhope | 364 | $60,750 |
| Williams | 307 | $55,417 |
| KamrarGEOID 1940215 | 179 | $48,750 |
| BlairsburgGEOID 1906760 | 176 | $81,250 |
| RandallGEOID 1965595 | 154 | $72,321 |
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 Hamilton County?
The median resident of Hamilton County is 41.7 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.1%. 6.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±0.8 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.8%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.5 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.1% | 7.3% | +4.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.8%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −5.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.4%±1.7 pts | 5.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.7%±1.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±1.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.4%±1.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7%±1.8 pts | 5.0% | +2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.4%±1.6 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.8%±2.7 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.7 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 Hamilton County earn?
Half of Hamilton County's 6,434 households earn less than $72,432 a year (±$8,050), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $74,962 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,432±$8,050 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,073±$6,273 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,191±$2,678 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4%±2.1 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.4%±3.5 pts | 12.9% | −6.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.0%±1.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±2.6 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 Hamilton County?
Owners occupy 73.4% of Hamilton County's occupied homes and renters 26.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,400 by its owner (±$11,246). The median renter pays $877 a month including utilities, and 23.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $156,400±$11,246 | $208,000 | +$25,823 |
| Median gross rent | $877±$51 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.1%±8.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,345±$99 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.4%±3.3 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,040±46 | 1,437,699 | −155 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.1%±6.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.7%±2.6 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 41.3%±3.6 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 Hamilton County building?
Builders took permits for 12 new housing units across Hamilton County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.8 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 Hamilton County get to work?
84.0% of Hamilton County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.9%±2.2 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 3.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 84.0%±2.7 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.6%±2.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.4 min±1.7 | 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 Hamilton County's census tracts?
Hamilton County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $61,726 (Tract 9605) to $86,579 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960119079960100 | 1,622±183 | $72,538 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219079960200 | 3,259±209 | $86,579 |
| Tract 960319079960300 | 3,416±321 | $78,667 |
| Tract 960419079960400 | 4,600±323 | $62,907 |
| Tract 960519079960500 | 1,989±159 | $61,726 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hamilton County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 52nd of 99 |
| Median household income | 41st of 99 |
| Median home value | 55th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 31st of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 86th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 44th of 99 |
| Median age | 60th 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 Hamilton 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.