Skip to main content
Population Review

Clarke County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 77th-largest in Iowa

The population of Clarke County, Iowa is 9,690 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 77th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $66,821, the median home value is $160,200, and the median age is 38.4.

The population of Clarke County has grown 2.2% since 2010 (9,321 → 9,524), a +0.15% annualized rate.

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

9,690

Population

+0.15%

Annual growth

22

People / sq mi

$66,821

Median Income

$160,200

Median Home Value

Clarke County covers 431 sq mi of land at 22.5 people per square mile.

About Clarke County, IA

Clarke County is a county in Iowa with a population of 9,690. It ranks #77 among counties in Iowa by population. The median age is 38.4, in line with the national median. The population is 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

The median household income in Clarke County is $66,821, below the US median of $74,580. 8.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $160,200, with monthly rent averaging $836. The homeownership rate of 69.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Clarke County reflects 16.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 23.8 minutes each way.

Clarke County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Clarke County had a population of 9,321 in 2010 and 9,524 in 2024, a 2.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 9,751 in 2021. Average annual growth rate: 0.16%.

2021 · 10K20102024

9,524

Population (2024)

9,321

Population (2010)

9,751

Peak (2021)

0.16%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
20109,321
20119,318
20129,339
20139,244
20149,192
20159,213
20169,293
20179,395
20189,489
20199,382
20209,730
20219,751
20229,676
20239,631
20249,524

Race & Ethnicity

White85.9%
Black or African American0.0%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2.3%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

38.4

Median Age

48.6%

Female

51.4%

Male

19.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
7.0%
5–9
6.8%
10–14
7.1%
15–19
7.5%
20–24
5.4%
25–34
10.5%
35–44
11.3%
45–54
12.0%
55–59
6.3%
60–64
6.4%
65–74
12.1%
75–84
4.8%
85+
2.8%

Children (under 15): 20.9% · Seniors (65+): 19.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$66,821$-6,326 vs state
Mean household income$85,744
Per-capita income$35,360
Poverty rate8.3%+1.4% vs state
Unemployment rate2.5%
Employment-to-population58.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
23.3%
Manufacturing
19.8%
Construction
9.8%
Information
8.0%
Education & health care
6.3%
Retail trade
6.3%
Public administration
5.6%
Agriculture
4.1%

The largest employment sector in Clarke County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

2.1%

Carpool

79.7%

Public transit

8.0%

Work from home

23.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$160,200$-35,700 vs state

Median home value

$836

Median rent

69.5%

Homeownership rate

4,401

Total housing units

90.9%

Occupied

9.1%

Vacant

30.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.7%

With health insurance

90.7%

With broadband internet

18.1%

Foreign-born

7.2%

Veterans (18+)

18.4%

With a disability

86.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

86.1%

High School+

16.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Other counties in Iowa

Part of Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Clarke County, Iowa has a population of 9,690 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 77th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 22 people per square mile.

The population of Clarke County has grown 2.2% since 2010 (9,321 → 9,524), a +0.15% annualized rate.

The median household income in Clarke County, Iowa is $66,821, with mean (average) household income of $85,744 and per-capita income of $35,360. 8.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Clarke County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (85.9%), Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Clarke County, Iowa is 38.4 years. Residents are 48.6% female and 51.4% male.

The median home value in Clarke County is $160,200 and median monthly rent is $836. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 4,401 total housing units, 9.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Clarke County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

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

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.