County · Iowa
Lucas County, Iowa
Lucas County, Iowa. Lucas County had 8,847 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19117.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,847
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,634 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,716
Median household income
$61,793
±$2,738 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$120,200
±$19,495 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$709
±$130 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Lucas County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,634 residents in Lucas County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,847 for July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,716 over 431 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lucas County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,716 | 3,210,507 | +133 |
| Households | 3,708±103 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,074±31 | 1,437,699 | −140 |
Lucas County's population since 2000
From 9,422 in 2000 to 8,847 in 2025: down 6.1%. 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 Lucas County?
Lucas County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Chariton with 4,347 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Lucas County?
The median resident of Lucas County is 41.9 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 22.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.9%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lucas County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9±1.5 | 38.6 | −2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.5%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.0%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 7.3% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.0%±0.8 pts | 82.3% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.4%±2.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7%±2.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0%±2.4 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8%±1.9 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.8%±2.6 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±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 Lucas County earn?
Half of Lucas County's 3,708 households earn less than $61,793 a year (±$2,738), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $67,940 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lucas County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,793±$2,738 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,764±$6,102 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,274±$2,179 | $40,877 | −$5,962 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.9%±3.5 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.9%±7.0 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9%±3.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.4%±4.0 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 Lucas County?
Owners occupy 78.8% of Lucas County's occupied homes and renters 21.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $120,200 by its owner (±$19,495). The median renter pays $709 a month including utilities, and 15.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lucas County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $120,200±$19,495 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $709±$130 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 15.5%±6.6 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,351±$105 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.8%±3.5 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,074±31 | 1,437,699 | −140 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.4%±2.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.1%±3.5 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.5%±4.1 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 Lucas County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Lucas County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.2 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 Lucas County get to work?
82.2% of Lucas County's workers drive alone and 4.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | Lucas County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.1%±2.4 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%±1.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.2%±3.0 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±3.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.3%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.8 min±3.0 | 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 Lucas County's census tracts?
Lucas County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,786 (Tract 9503) to $91,297 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950119117950100 | 1,990±182 | $61,736 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219117950200 | 2,318±186 | $91,297 |
| Tract 950319117950300 | 2,028±192 | $36,786 |
| Tract 950419117950400 | 2,380±209 | $61,377 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lucas County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 83rd of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 11th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 72nd of 99 |
| Median household income | 90th of 99 |
| Median home value | 89th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 91st of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 98th of 99 |
| Median age | 54th 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 Lucas 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.