County · Iowa
Poweshiek County, Iowa
Poweshiek County, Iowa. Poweshiek County had 18,368 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 11 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 19157.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,368
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,662 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,545
Median household income
$67,391
±$5,210 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$209,300
±$13,672 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$883
±$40 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Poweshiek County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,662 residents in Poweshiek County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,368 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,545 over 585 square miles of land.
| Measure | Poweshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,545 | 3,210,507 | +157 |
| Households | 7,804±274 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.08 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,975±64 | 1,437,699 | −159 |
Poweshiek County's population since 2000
From 18,815 in 2000 to 18,368 in 2025: down 2.4%. 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 Poweshiek County?
Poweshiek County holds 11 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Grinnell with 9,430 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Grinnell | 9,564 | $65,320 |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 1,502 | $73,438 |
| Montezuma | 1,442 | $65,660 |
| Holiday LakeGEOID 1936660 | 473 | $82,868 |
| Malcom | 270 | $76,750 |
| Deep RiverGEOID 1919495 | 249 | $83,125 |
| Searsboro | 129 | $66,250 |
| HartwickGEOID 1934770 | 92 | $83,750 |
| Victor | 875 | $74,000 |
| GuernseyGEOID 1933285 | 63 | $70,833 |
| Barnes CityGEOID 1904555 | 156 | $82,500 |
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 Poweshiek County?
The median resident of Poweshiek County is 41.0 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.5%. 3.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Poweshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0±1.0 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.4%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 7.3% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.8%±1.2 pts | 82.3% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | −1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9%±1.3 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.3%±2.7 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.2%±2.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3%±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 Poweshiek County earn?
Half of Poweshiek County's 7,804 households earn less than $67,391 a year (±$5,210), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $66,275 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Poweshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,391±$5,210 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $90,285±$7,564 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,109±$2,844 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.7%±2.1 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.5%±4.1 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.4%±2.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±2.9 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 Poweshiek County?
Owners occupy 71.2% of Poweshiek County's occupied homes and renters 28.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $209,300 by its owner (±$13,672). The median renter pays $883 a month including utilities, and 30.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Poweshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $209,300±$13,672 | $208,000 | +$35,649 |
| Median gross rent | $883±$40 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.6%±7.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,580±$85 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.2%±3.6 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,975±64 | 1,437,699 | −159 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.2%±2.1 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3%±2.7 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±1.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 29.4%±3.8 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 Poweshiek County building?
Builders took permits for 44 new housing units across Poweshiek County in 2025 (28 single-family), 2.4 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 Poweshiek County get to work?
67.9% of Poweshiek County's workers drive alone and 14.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Poweshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.1%±1.7 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.2 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.9%±2.8 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.7%±1.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 11.3%±2.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.0%±2.3 pts | 11.3% | +9.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.6 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 Poweshiek County's census tracts?
Poweshiek County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,878 (Tract 3704) to $82,589 (Tract 3703).
| Tract 370119157370100 | 3,336±318 | $77,813 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 370219157370200 | 2,710±319 | $66,497 |
| Tract 370319157370300 | 5,056±438 | $82,589 |
| Tract 370419157370400 | 4,307±330 | $47,878 |
| Tract 370519157370500 | 3,136±273 | $75,129 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Poweshiek County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 37th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 61st of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 99 |
| Median household income | 70th of 99 |
| Median home value | 20th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 26th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 45th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20th of 99 |
| Median age | 67th 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 Poweshiek 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.