County · Iowa
O'Brien County, Iowa
O'Brien County, Iowa. O'Brien County had 14,220 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19141.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,220
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,182 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,126
Median household income
$68,356
±$4,388 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$173,100
±$9,272 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$868
±$94 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in O'Brien County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,182 residents in O'Brien County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,220 for July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,126 over 573 square miles of land.
| Measure | O'Brien County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,126 | 3,210,507 | +291 |
| Households | 5,809±230 | 1,315,707 | −360 |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.09 | 2.36 | +0.18 |
| Housing units | 6,564±32 | 1,437,699 | −126 |
O'Brien County's population since 2000
From 15,102 in 2000 to 14,220 in 2025: down 5.8%. 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 O'Brien County?
O'Brien County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Sheldon with 5,575 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 O'Brien County?
The median resident of O'Brien County is 39.5 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.6%. 4.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | O'Brien County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±0.8 | 38.6 | −2.4 |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.6% | 7.3% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.0%±1.0 pts | 82.3% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 5.9% | +1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.6%±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.8%±2.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.0%±1.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±2.4 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.0%±3.0 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±0.9 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 O'Brien County earn?
Half of O'Brien County's 5,809 households earn less than $68,356 a year (±$4,388), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $66,092 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | O'Brien County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,356±$4,388 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $84,439±$3,866 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,198±$1,453 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.3%±2.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.7%±5.1 pts | 12.9% | +7.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.7%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.1%±2.0 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 O'Brien County?
Owners occupy 76.1% of O'Brien County's occupied homes and renters 23.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,100 by its owner (±$9,272). The median renter pays $868 a month including utilities, and 26.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | O'Brien County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $173,100±$9,272 | $208,000 | +$41,416 |
| Median gross rent | $868±$94 | $972 | +$148 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.7%±7.8 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,357±$80 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.1%±3.7 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,564±32 | 1,437,699 | −126 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±4.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.6%±3.4 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.4%±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.7%±3.1 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 O'Brien County building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units across O'Brien County in 2025 (14 single-family), 1.3 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 O'Brien County get to work?
79.3% of O'Brien County's workers drive alone and 7.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.0%.
| Measure | O'Brien County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.7%±2.6 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.3%±3.6 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±3.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.6%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.1%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min±1.6 | 19.8 min | +2.9 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 O'Brien County's census tracts?
O'Brien County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $66,250 (Tract 4903) to $71,534 (Tract 4902).
| Tract 490119141490100 | 2,551±189 | $68,889 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 490219141490200 | 4,049±222 | $71,534 |
| Tract 490319141490300 | 5,237±144 | $66,250 |
| Tract 490419141490400 | 2,289±175 | $68,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does O'Brien County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 32nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 99 |
| Median household income | 62nd of 99 |
| Median home value | 40th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 20th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 99 |
| Median age | 76th 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 O'Brien 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.