County · Iowa
Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County, Iowa. Palo Alto County had 8,899 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 9 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19147.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,899
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,996 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,863
Median household income
$72,781
±$7,482 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$123,200
±$12,218 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$638
±$41 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Palo Alto County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,996 residents in Palo Alto County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,899 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,863 over 564 square miles of land.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,863 | 3,210,507 | −140 |
| Households | 3,782±136 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.08 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,535±40 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Palo Alto County's population since 2000
From 10,147 in 2000 to 8,899 in 2025: down 12.3%. 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 Palo Alto County?
Palo Alto County holds 9 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Emmetsburg with 3,684 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Emmetsburg | 3,706 | $55,833 |
|---|---|---|
| Graettinger | 832 | $82,417 |
| West Bend | 791 | $86,154 |
| Ruthven | 725 | $58,625 |
| Mallard | 257 | $45,909 |
| AyrshireGEOID 1904105 | 133 | $58,906 |
| CylinderGEOID 1917985 | 87 | $62,500 |
| CurlewGEOID 1917895 | 37 | $64,688 |
| RodmanGEOID 1968340 | 31 | $58,750 |
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 Palo Alto County?
The median resident of Palo Alto County is 41.9 years old; 23.1% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.5%. 2.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9±0.8 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.1%±0.7 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 7.3% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3%±1.0 pts | 82.3% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±1.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.5%±0.9 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±1.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±1.6 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.3%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.8%±1.6 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3%±1.8 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.0%±2.7 pts | 31.4% | −6.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±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 Palo Alto County earn?
Half of Palo Alto County's 3,782 households earn less than $72,781 a year (±$7,482), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $65,143 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,781±$7,482 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,684±$6,311 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,828±$2,588 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±2.7 pts | 11.1% | +5.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.4%±6.8 pts | 12.9% | +9.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.0%±2.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.8%±2.7 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 Palo Alto County?
Owners occupy 77.1% of Palo Alto County's occupied homes and renters 22.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $123,200 by its owner (±$12,218). The median renter pays $638 a month including utilities, and 32.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $123,200±$12,218 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $638±$41 | $972 | −$76 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.3%±8.6 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,171±$53 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.1%±3.4 pts | 71.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Housing units | 4,535±40 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.7%±5.6 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.0%±2.4 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 33.2%±3.2 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 Palo Alto County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Palo Alto County in 2025 (4 single-family), 0.7 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 Palo Alto County get to work?
77.4% of Palo Alto County's workers drive alone and 4.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.2%.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.2%±2.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2%±1.4 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.4%±3.6 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3%±2.6 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 5.1%±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.9%±1.5 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.2 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 Palo Alto County's census tracts?
Palo Alto County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,851 (Tract 9603) to $93,000 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960119147960100 | 1,788±181 | $93,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219147960200 | 1,864±175 | $79,167 |
| Tract 960319147960300 | 3,808±134 | $57,851 |
| Tract 960419147960400 | 1,403±137 | $76,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Palo Alto County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 82nd of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 50th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 85th of 99 |
| Median household income | 39th of 99 |
| Median home value | 83rd of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 97th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 85th 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 Palo Alto 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.