County · Iowa
Lee County, Iowa
Lee County, Iowa. Lee County had 32,306 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 19111.
Lee County is the county of the Fort Madison, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
32,306
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 33,555 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,893
Median household income
$62,382
±$3,274 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$141,400
±$10,936 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$835
±$40 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Lee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 33,555 residents in Lee County. The Census Bureau estimates 32,306 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 32,893 over 518 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lee County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,893 | 3,210,507 | −1,334 |
| Households | 14,323±210 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.03 | 2.36 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 15,794±37 | 1,437,699 | −430 |
Lee County's population since 2000
From 38,052 in 2000 to 32,306 in 2025: down 15.1%. 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 Lee County?
Lee County holds 13 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Fort Madison with 9,935 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort Madison | 10,270 | $50,705 |
|---|---|---|
| Keokuk | 9,900 | $52,711 |
| West Point | 921 | $73,125 |
| Donnellson | 885 | $54,453 |
| Montrose | 738 | $66,250 |
| DenmarkGEOID 1919990 | 425 | $136,875 |
| MooarGEOID 1953805 | 321 | $69,423 |
| SanduskyGEOID 1970545 | 297 | $108,977 |
| HoughtonGEOID 1937335 | 141 | $106,042 |
| FranklinGEOID 1928740 | 131 | not published |
| St. PaulGEOID 1970185 | 109 | $72,500 |
| WeverGEOID 1984855 | 101 | $43,750 |
| ArgyleGEOID 1902710 | 91 | 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 Lee County?
The median resident of Lee County is 43.6 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.5%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lee County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.6±0.5 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 7.3% | −0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.3%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −0.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.8%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.9%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4%±1.1 pts | 5.0% | +1.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±1.2 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.7%±2.0 pts | 31.4% | +5.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.5%±1.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±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 Lee County earn?
Half of Lee County's 14,323 households earn less than $62,382 a year (±$3,274), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $60,998 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lee County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,382±$3,274 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,169±$3,374 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,999±$1,338 | $40,877 | +$2,127 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1%±1.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.2%±4.5 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.5%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±1.8 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 Lee County?
Owners occupy 76.3% of Lee County's occupied homes and renters 23.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $141,400 by its owner (±$10,936). The median renter pays $835 a month including utilities, and 30.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lee County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $141,400±$10,936 | $208,000 | +$25,099 |
| Median gross rent | $835±$40 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.9%±5.9 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,303±$72 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.3%±2.2 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,794±37 | 1,437,699 | −430 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±3.4 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.6%±2.1 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.3%±2.5 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 Lee County building?
Builders took permits for 80 new housing units across Lee County in 2025 (20 single-family), 2.5 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 Lee County get to work?
81.8% of Lee County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Lee County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8%±1.7 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±1.2 pts | 3.6% | −2.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 81.8%±2.3 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | +3.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.4 min±1.3 | 19.8 min | +2.4 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 Lee County's census tracts?
Lee County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,357 (Tract 4908) to $94,054 (Tract 4903).
| Tract 490119111490100 | 4,034±336 | $51,557 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 490219111490200 | 3,808±373 | $49,274 |
| Tract 490319111490300 | 2,610±351 | $94,054 |
| Tract 490419111490400 | 2,304±358 | $92,667 |
| Tract 490519111490500 | 3,048±291 | $68,068 |
| Tract 490619111490600 | 2,894±297 | $75,795 |
| Tract 490719111490700 | 4,359±402 | $65,698 |
| Tract 490819111490800 | 1,749±303 | $30,357 |
| Tract 490919111490900 | 2,242±302 | $47,368 |
| Tract 491019111491000 | 2,000±263 | $62,538 |
| Tract 491119111491100 | 3,845±424 | $80,126 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lee County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 95th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 99 |
| Median household income | 86th of 99 |
| Median home value | 72nd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 46th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 60th of 99 |
| Median age | 27th 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 Lee 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.