County · Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa. Mahaska County had 21,880 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 11 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 19123.
Mahaska County is the county of the Oskaloosa, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,880
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,190 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,021
Median household income
$70,940
±$4,815 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$157,800
±$8,064 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$793
±$80 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Mahaska County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,190 residents in Mahaska County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,880 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,021 over 571 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mahaska County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,021 | 3,210,507 | −143 |
| Households | 8,743±221 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,728±53 | 1,437,699 | −141 |
Mahaska County's population since 2000
From 22,335 in 2000 to 21,880 in 2025: down 2.0%. 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 Mahaska County?
Mahaska County holds 11 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Oskaloosa with 11,493 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Oskaloosa | 11,558 | $64,004 |
|---|---|---|
| New Sharon | 1,262 | $48,750 |
| Fremont | 708 | $78,333 |
| University Park | 487 | $74,167 |
| Beacon | 445 | $55,625 |
| Eddyville | 970 | $61,480 |
| LeightonGEOID 1944310 | 158 | $66,389 |
| Rose HillGEOID 1968700 | 157 | $82,917 |
| Barnes CityGEOID 1904555 | 156 | $82,500 |
| Keomah VillageGEOID 1940890 | 110 | $79,688 |
| Pella | 10,464 | $84,111 |
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 Mahaska County?
The median resident of Mahaska County is 39.0 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.4%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mahaska County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0±0.8 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.7%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±0.4 pts | 82.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | −0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±1.2 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.1%±2.3 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.0 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 Mahaska County earn?
Half of Mahaska County's 8,743 households earn less than $70,940 a year (±$4,815), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $67,473 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mahaska County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,940±$4,815 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,931±$4,161 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,118±$2,252 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6%±1.9 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.7%±4.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.0%±2.9 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±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 Mahaska County?
Owners occupy 68.0% of Mahaska County's occupied homes and renters 32.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,800 by its owner (±$8,064). The median renter pays $793 a month including utilities, and 25.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mahaska County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $157,800±$8,064 | $208,000 | +$15,901 |
| Median gross rent | $793±$80 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.8%±5.8 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,282±$66 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.0%±3.1 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,728±53 | 1,437,699 | −141 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6%±1.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±2.4 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.1%±2.3 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.9%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 34.5%±3.0 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 Mahaska County building?
Builders took permits for 66 new housing units across Mahaska County in 2025 (12 single-family), 3.0 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 Mahaska County get to work?
80.3% of Mahaska County's workers drive alone and 7.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Mahaska County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.0%±1.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.3%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7%±1.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±1.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.5%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.0 min±0.8 | 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 Mahaska County's census tracts?
Mahaska County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,592 (Tract 9507) to $84,617 (Tract 9502).
| Tract 950119123950100 | 3,102±272 | $66,886 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219123950200 | 2,976±316 | $84,617 |
| Tract 950319123950300 | 3,721±351 | $81,202 |
| Tract 950419123950400 | 2,816±267 | $67,375 |
| Tract 950519123950500 | 3,288±339 | $80,250 |
| Tract 950619123950600 | 3,553±360 | $57,813 |
| Tract 950719123950700 | 2,565±277 | $50,592 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mahaska County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 57th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 99 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 99 |
| Median home value | 54th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 60th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 26th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32nd of 99 |
| Median age | 82nd 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 Mahaska 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.