County · Iowa
Kossuth County, Iowa
Kossuth County, Iowa. Kossuth County had 14,322 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 17 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19109.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,322
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,828 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,516
Median household income
$67,697
±$5,975 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$148,300
±$12,801 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$859
±$26 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Kossuth County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,828 residents in Kossuth County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,322 for July 1, 2025, down 3.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,516 over 973 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kossuth County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,516 | 3,210,507 | −462 |
| Households | 6,543±147 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.17±0.05 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,205±33 | 1,437,699 | −303 |
Kossuth County's population since 2000
From 17,163 in 2000 to 14,322 in 2025: down 16.6%. 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 Kossuth County?
Kossuth County holds 17 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Algona with 5,309 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Algona | 5,487 | $56,040 |
|---|---|---|
| Bancroft | 699 | $60,000 |
| Swea City | 566 | $47,656 |
| Titonka | 511 | $72,250 |
| Whittemore | 497 | $78,702 |
| Burt | 418 | $66,750 |
| Wesley | 391 | $68,125 |
| Fenton | 271 | $55,417 |
| LakotaGEOID 1942825 | 267 | $68,750 |
| Lu Verne | 258 | $51,250 |
| Lone RockGEOID 1946290 | 146 | $52,500 |
| LedyardGEOID 1944130 | 121 | $33,750 |
| St. JosephGEOID 1970005 | 51 | $37,344 |
| SextonGEOID 1971715 | 46 | not published |
| IrvingtonGEOID 1938955 | 36 | not published |
| St. BenedictGEOID 1969825 | 31 | $128,438 |
| West Bend | 791 | $86,154 |
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 Kossuth County?
The median resident of Kossuth County is 44.2 years old; 22.0% are under 18 and 25.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.5%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kossuth County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.2±0.8 | 38.6 | −1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 22.0%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.4%±0.4 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% | 7.3% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.7%±0.9 pts | 82.3% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 2.4%±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | +2.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.1%±1.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.8%±2.5 pts | 31.4% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±1.2 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 Kossuth County earn?
Half of Kossuth County's 6,543 households earn less than $67,697 a year (±$5,975), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $69,009 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kossuth County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,697±$5,975 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,441±$4,846 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,458±$1,847 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.2%±1.5 pts | 11.1% | −2.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.6%±3.7 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.6%±1.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.2 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 Kossuth County?
Owners occupy 78.6% of Kossuth County's occupied homes and renters 21.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $148,300 by its owner (±$12,801). The median renter pays $859 a month including utilities, and 27.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kossuth County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $148,300±$12,801 | $208,000 | +$22,646 |
| Median gross rent | $859±$26 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.2%±8.0 pts | 35.2% | −10.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,248±$71 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.6%±3.0 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,205±33 | 1,437,699 | −303 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.0%±3.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.9%±2.4 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.9%±2.9 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 Kossuth County building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units across Kossuth County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.3 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 Kossuth County get to work?
79.7% of Kossuth County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.9%.
| Measure | Kossuth County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.7%±2.2 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9%±0.9 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7%±2.6 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±2.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.8%±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.3 min±1.1 | 19.8 min | +1.5 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 Kossuth County's census tracts?
Kossuth County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,583 (Tract 9504) to $90,147 (Tract 9506).
| Tract 950119109950100 | 1,907±178 | $62,981 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219109950200 | 2,382±214 | $89,773 |
| Tract 950319109950300 | 2,125±175 | $65,195 |
| Tract 950419109950400 | 2,639±278 | $49,583 |
| Tract 950519109950500 | 3,337±279 | $69,042 |
| Tract 950619109950600 | 2,126±170 | $90,147 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kossuth County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 91st of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 88th of 99 |
| Median household income | 66th of 99 |
| Median home value | 66th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 36th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 75th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 44th of 99 |
| Median age | 16th 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 Kossuth 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.