County · Iowa
Humboldt County, Iowa
Humboldt County, Iowa. Humboldt County had 9,409 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.0% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 12 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19091.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,409
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,597 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,591
Median household income
$71,946
±$5,487 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$155,800
±$9,408 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$744
±$60 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Humboldt County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,597 residents in Humboldt County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,409 for July 1, 2025, down 2.0% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,591 over 434 square miles of land.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,591 | 3,210,507 | +37 |
| Households | 4,219±95 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.05 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,603±51 | 1,437,699 | −141 |
Humboldt County's population since 2000
From 10,381 in 2000 to 9,409 in 2025: down 9.4%. 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 Humboldt County?
Humboldt County holds 12 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Humboldt with 4,675 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Humboldt | 4,792 | $74,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Dakota City | 759 | $60,417 |
| Livermore | 381 | $66,250 |
| Bode | 302 | $59,531 |
| Gilmore City | 487 | $53,375 |
| Renwick | 234 | $52,125 |
| Thor | 181 | $57,305 |
| RutlandGEOID 1969375 | 113 | $85,625 |
| BradgateGEOID 1908065 | 75 | not published |
| HardyGEOID 1934455 | 57 | not published |
| OttosenGEOID 1960420 | 40 | $41,667 |
| Lu Verne | 258 | $51,250 |
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 Humboldt County?
The median resident of Humboldt County is 42.1 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 21.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.7%. 4.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1±0.8 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.7%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.6%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7% | 7.3% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.4%±0.7 pts | 82.3% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.8 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 | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.4%±1.0 pts | 5.9% | +2.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±1.5 pts | 5.0% | +2.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2%±1.2 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.4%±2.6 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±1.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±1.7 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 Humboldt County earn?
Half of Humboldt County's 4,219 households earn less than $71,946 a year (±$5,487), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $67,165 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $71,946±$5,487 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,749±$8,146 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,763±$3,519 | $40,877 | +$4,251 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±2.8 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.1%±7.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.3%±3.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.0%±2.7 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 Humboldt County?
Owners occupy 77.2% of Humboldt County's occupied homes and renters 22.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,800 by its owner (±$9,408). The median renter pays $744 a month including utilities, and 28.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,800±$9,408 | $208,000 | +$28,054 |
| Median gross rent | $744±$60 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.6%±7.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,265±$90 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2%±2.6 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,603±51 | 1,437,699 | −141 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.5%±2.6 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.0%±3.1 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 Humboldt County building?
Builders took permits for 14 new housing units across Humboldt County in 2025 (14 single-family), 1.5 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 Humboldt County get to work?
78.7% of Humboldt County's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.1%±2.1 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±2.3 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.7%±3.1 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2%±2.5 pts | 11.3% | +5.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.7 min±1.9 | 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 Humboldt County's census tracts?
Humboldt County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $59,613 (Tract 9703) to $85,689 (Tract 9704).
| Tract 970119091970100 | 1,936±174 | $66,979 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970219091970200 | 1,820±143 | $68,095 |
| Tract 970319091970300 | 2,962±218 | $59,613 |
| Tract 970419091970400 | 2,873±209 | $85,689 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Humboldt County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 78th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 69th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 66th of 99 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 99 |
| Median home value | 58th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 78th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 81st of 99 |
| Median age | 50th 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 Humboldt 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.