2000 Census Shows Higher Incomes and Less Poverty in Iowa

The 2002 Census results showed Iowans earned more money, were better educated, more diverse, and were living in more expensive homes.

Beth Henning, coordinator of the State Library of Iowa’s state data center program said, "Compared to 1990, median household incomes in Iowa rose faster than inflation. As a result, poverty declined, a higher percentage of Iowans had college degrees, more residents were born overseas, and the value of owner-occupied housing rose."

Below are facts compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau from the census long-form questions. These results present a snapshot of Iowa’s population as of April 1, 2000.

• Iowa’s median household income increased from $26,229 in 1989 to $39,469 in 1999, a 50.5% increase during a period when the consumer price index rose by about 30%. Warren and Dallas counties had the highest median household incomes, $50,349 and $48,528 respectively. Cities with the highest median household incomes were Westwood ($89,522), Johnston ($76,094), Robins ($74,211), and Clive ($74,127).

• The poverty rate for individuals in Iowa declined from 11.5% in 1989 to 9.1% in 1999. Decatur and Johnson counties had the highest individual poverty rates (15.5% and 15.0% respectively). Thirty-three cities in Iowa had no individuals living in poverty in 1999.

• The family poverty rate went down from 8.4% in 1989 to 6.0% in 1999. Decatur (10.9%) and Wayne (10.8%) counties had the highest family poverty rates. 142 cities had no families in poverty.

• The poverty rate for Iowans age 65 and older dropped from 11.2% in 1989 to 7.7% in 1999. Ringgold (16.4%), Van Buren (15.6%), and Taylor (15.2%) counties had the highest poverty rates for people age 65. 165 cities had no people age 65 and over living in poverty in 1999.
  
• The number of women working increased in 2000, with 60.3% of women over the age of 16 employed compared to 55.4% in 1990. Counties with the highest percentage of women working were Johnson (68.0%) and Dallas (67.5%). In Kent and Marysville, all of the women over age 16 were employed.

• The percentage of Iowa residents with bachelor’s degrees or higher increased from 16.9% to 21.2% between 1990 and 2000. The counties with the highest percentage of residents with bachelor’s degrees were Johnson (47.6%) and Story (44.5%).

• The percentage of current Iowa residents born in other countries nearly doubled between 1990 and 2000, from 1.6% to 3.1% of the total population. Counties with the highest percentage of foreign-born residents were Buena Vista (12.4%) and Woodbury (7.2%). Cities with the highest percentage of foreign-born were Postville (33.0%), Fredonia and West Liberty (both 25.6%).

• The median value of owner-occupied homes increased from $45,900 in 1990 to $82,500 in 2000. Johnson and Story counties had the highest median values, $131,500 and $115,800 respectively. The cities with the highest median home values were Johnston ($188,300), Okoboji ($181,900), and Clive ($180,700).

More detailed comparisons of social, economic, and housing characteristics from the 1990 and 2000 censuses, along with four-page demographic profiles for every Iowa county, city, metropolitan statistical area, American Indian Area, and congressional district, are available on the State Library’s newly redesigned web site at: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/specialized_services/datacenter/ or by calling the State Library at 1-800-248-4483.