County · Iowa
Wapello County, Iowa
Wapello County, Iowa. Wapello County had 35,210 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 7 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 19179.
Wapello County is the county of the Ottumwa, IA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
35,210
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,437 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,362
Median household income
$64,766
±$4,224 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$125,100
±$7,732 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$920
±$48 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Wapello County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 35,437 residents in Wapello County. The Census Bureau estimates 35,210 for July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,362 over 432 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wapello County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,362 | 3,210,507 | +221 |
| Households | 13,997±276 | 1,315,707 | −484 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.05 | 2.36 | +0.09 |
| Housing units | 15,730±34 | 1,437,699 | −340 |
Wapello County's population since 2000
From 36,051 in 2000 to 35,210 in 2025: down 2.3%. 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 Wapello County?
Wapello County holds 7 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Ottumwa with 25,319 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ottumwa | 25,529 | $61,103 |
|---|---|---|
| Eldon | 783 | $47,917 |
| Eddyville | 970 | $61,480 |
| Agency | 620 | $67,813 |
| Blakesburg | 274 | $51,000 |
| KirkvilleGEOID 1941565 | 157 | $58,750 |
| ChillicotheGEOID 1913215 | 76 | $75,750 |
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 Wapello County?
The median resident of Wapello County is 39.2 years old; 23.8% are under 18 and 18.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.4%. 9.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wapello County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2±0.9 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.8%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.4%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.4% | 7.3% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.6%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −6.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.9 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.9%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.1%±1.3 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.4%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1%±1.2 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.6%±1.5 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.6%±1.9 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±1.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±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 Wapello County earn?
Half of Wapello County's 13,997 households earn less than $64,766 a year (±$4,224), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $56,915 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,851 after inflation. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wapello County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,766±$4,224 | $75,059 | +$7,851 |
| Mean household income | $82,470±$5,783 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,358±$2,144 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.8%±2.6 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.4%±5.2 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.3%±2.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.3%±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 Wapello County?
Owners occupy 68.4% of Wapello County's occupied homes and renters 31.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $125,100 by its owner (±$7,732). The median renter pays $920 a month including utilities, and 40.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wapello County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $125,100±$7,732 | $208,000 | +$24,060 |
| Median gross rent | $920±$48 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.8%±6.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,235±$66 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.4%±2.9 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,730±34 | 1,437,699 | −340 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.5%±3.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.3%±1.9 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.2%±1.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.9%±2.2 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 Wapello County building?
Builders took permits for 42 new housing units across Wapello County in 2025 (10 single-family), 1.2 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 Wapello County get to work?
78.5% of Wapello County's workers drive alone and 5.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Wapello County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9%±2.0 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | −1.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.5%±3.0 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±2.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.0 min±1.6 | 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 Wapello County's census tracts?
Wapello County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,596 (Tract 9609) to $87,656 (Tract 9607).
| Tract 960119179960100 | 2,772±330 | $72,169 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219179960200 | 2,574±443 | $65,110 |
| Tract 960319179960300 | 4,712±499 | $78,827 |
| Tract 960419179960400 | 3,749±449 | $61,053 |
| Tract 960519179960500 | 2,214±335 | $56,188 |
| Tract 960619179960600 | 3,307±443 | $57,766 |
| Tract 960719179960700 | 3,214±339 | $87,656 |
| Tract 960819179960800 | 3,467±333 | $65,601 |
| Tract 960919179960900 | 3,263±437 | $49,596 |
| Tract 961019179961000 | 3,185±412 | $55,901 |
| Tract 961119179961100 | 2,905±334 | $79,063 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wapello County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 99 |
| Median household income | 79th of 99 |
| Median home value | 80th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 18th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 77th of 99 |
| Median age | 79th 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 Wapello 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.