Boone County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 23rd-largest in Iowa

The population of Boone County, Iowa is 26,669 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 23rd-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $79,741, the median home value is $191,200, and the median age is 42.2.

The population of Boone County has grown 1.7% since 2010 (26,271 → 26,729), a +0.12% annualized rate.

Boone County within Iowa · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

26,669

Population

+0.12%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$79,741

Median Income

$191,200

Median Home Value

Boone County covers 570 sq mi of land at 46.7 people per square mile.

About Boone County, IA

The poverty rate is what most separates Boone County from the typical county: 3.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Boone County is a county in Iowa with a population of 26,669. It ranks #23 among counties in Iowa by population.

The typical household earns $79,741 a year, near the US median of $78,538. Hardship is rare relative to US counties: a poverty rate of just 3.3%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $191,200, with typical rent around $826.

College attainment is above the local norm at 28.7%, below the national 35.0%. Around 9.1% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.

Boone County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Boone County had a population of 26,271 in 2010 and 26,729 in 2024, a 1.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 26,770 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: 0.12%.

Boone County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

26,729

Population (2024)

26,271

Population (2010)

26,770

Peak (2021)

0.12%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	26,271	-	-	estimate
2011	26,287	+16	+0.06%	estimate
2012	26,138	-149	-0.57%	estimate
2013	26,294	+156	+0.60%	estimate
2014	26,303	+9	+0.03%	estimate
2015	26,468	+165	+0.63%	estimate
2016	26,434	-34	-0.13%	estimate
2017	26,498	+64	+0.24%	estimate
2018	26,356	-142	-0.54%	estimate
2019	26,338	-18	-0.07%	estimate
2020	26,702	+364	+1.38%	estimate
2021	26,770	+68	+0.25%	estimate
2022	26,570	-200	-0.75%	estimate
2023	26,567	-3	-0.01%	estimate
2024	26,729	+162	+0.61%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	94.4%
Black or African American	1.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

42.2

Median Age

48.8%

Female

51.2%

Male

19.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.1%

5–9

5.6%

10–14

5.9%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

12.5%

35–44

13.0%

45–54

11.9%

55–59

7.5%

60–64

7.1%

65–74

12.1%

75–84

5.7%

85+

1.8%

Children (under 15): 16.6% · Seniors (65+): 19.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$79,741+$6,594 vs state
Mean household income	$97,592
Per-capita income	$41,075
Poverty rate	3.3%-3.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	0.9%
Employment-to-population	64.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

27.3%

Manufacturing

10.4%

Construction

9.0%

Finance & real estate

8.1%

Retail trade

6.2%

Agriculture

5.9%

Information

5.4%

Public administration

5.2%

The largest employment sector in Boone County is professional & business services, accounting for 27.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.5%

Drive alone

2.1%

Carpool

80.4%

Public transit

9.1%

Work from home

22.4 min

Avg commute

Housing

$191,200$-4,700 vs state

Median home value

$826

Median rent

81.1%

Homeownership rate

12,005

Total housing units

91.1%

Occupied

8.9%

Vacant

18.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

96.3%

With health insurance

95.0%

With broadband internet

18.7%

Foreign-born

6.3%

Veterans (18+)

12.4%

With a disability

97.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

95.7%

High School+

28.7%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Des Moines (212,464)Cedar Rapids (136,859)Davenport (101,083)Sioux City (85,651)Iowa City (75,264)Ankeny (70,542)West Des Moines (69,893)Waterloo (66,947)Ames (66,112)Council Bluffs (62,564)All Iowa cities →

Other counties in Iowa

Polk County (497,441)Linn County (229,463)Scott County (174,302)Johnson County (154,881)Black Hawk County (130,693)Woodbury County (105,760)Dallas County (104,136)Dubuque County (98,948)Story County (98,592)Pottawattamie County (93,407)All Iowa counties →

Part of Iowa

Iowa demographic profile All Iowa data →

Metro areas in Iowa

Omaha (972,840)Des Moines (720,331)Davenport (381,864)Cedar Rapids (275,960)Iowa City (177,420)Waterloo (168,163)Sioux City (144,007)Ames (125,261)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Boone County, Iowa has a population of 26,669 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 23rd-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 47 people per square mile.

The population of Boone County has grown 1.7% since 2010 (26,271 → 26,729), a +0.12% annualized rate.

The median household income in Boone County, Iowa is $79,741, with mean (average) household income of $97,592 and per-capita income of $41,075. 3.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Boone County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (94.4%), Black or African American (1.3%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Boone County, Iowa is 42.2 years. Residents are 48.8% female and 51.2% male.

The median home value in Boone County is $191,200 and median monthly rent is $826. 81.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 12,005 total housing units, 8.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Boone County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 27.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 0.9%.

Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Boone County, Iowa, with a population of 212,464.