County · Iowa
Monona County, Iowa
Monona County, Iowa. Monona County had 8,539 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19133.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,539
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,751 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,557
Median household income
$68,377
±$6,651 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$142,900
±$13,872 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$855
±$72 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Monona County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,751 residents in Monona County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,539 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,557 over 694 square miles of land.
| Measure | Monona County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,557 | 3,210,507 | −173 |
| Households | 3,878±116 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,372±43 | 1,437,699 | −350 |
Monona County's population since 2000
From 10,020 in 2000 to 8,539 in 2025: down 14.8%. 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 Monona County?
Monona County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Onawa with 2,821 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Onawa | 2,906 | $62,143 |
|---|---|---|
| Mapleton | 1,165 | $55,208 |
| Whiting | 745 | $73,333 |
| Ute | 338 | $55,341 |
| Blencoe | 233 | $86,875 |
| Moorhead | 199 | $45,000 |
| SoldierGEOID 1973785 | 184 | $56,250 |
| CastanaGEOID 1911530 | 107 | $55,469 |
| TurinGEOID 1979185 | 72 | $94,129 |
| RodneyGEOID 1968385 | 45 | $51,563 |
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 Monona County?
The median resident of Monona County is 43.7 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 24.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.8%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Monona County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7±0.8 | 38.6 | −2.3 |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±0.5 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.4%±0.4 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% | 7.3% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.8%±0.2 pts | 82.3% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 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 | 3.8%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.8%±1.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.2%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±1.7 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.6%±2.6 pts | 31.4% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.1%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.4 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 Monona County earn?
Half of Monona County's 3,878 households earn less than $68,377 a year (±$6,651), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,587 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,790 after inflation. 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Monona County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,377±$6,651 | $75,059 | +$9,790 |
| Mean household income | $81,023±$4,335 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,795±$1,620 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.6%±3.0 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.3%±6.7 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8%±2.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.9%±2.5 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 Monona County?
Owners occupy 75.7% of Monona County's occupied homes and renters 24.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $142,900 by its owner (±$13,872). The median renter pays $855 a month including utilities, and 33.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Monona County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $142,900±$13,872 | $208,000 | +$35,953 |
| Median gross rent | $855±$72 | $972 | +$101 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.7%±9.5 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,194±$60 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.7%±3.3 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,372±43 | 1,437,699 | −350 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±3.6 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.5%±2.8 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8%±1.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.4%±3.6 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 Monona County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Monona County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.8 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 Monona County get to work?
81.5% of Monona County's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.6%.
| Measure | Monona County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.1%±2.2 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5%±4.2 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±3.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7%±1.9 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.6 min±1.8 | 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 Monona County's census tracts?
Monona County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,759 (Tract 9604) to $83,750 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960119133960100 | 1,963±106 | $69,444 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219133960200 | 1,986±103 | $83,750 |
| Tract 960319133960300 | 2,923±98 | $63,208 |
| Tract 960419133960400 | 1,685±133 | $60,759 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Monona County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 85th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 80th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 94th of 99 |
| Median household income | 61st of 99 |
| Median home value | 71st of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 37th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 77th of 99 |
| Median age | 23rd 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 Monona 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.