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Population Review

Crawford County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 47th-largest in Iowa

The population of Crawford County, Iowa is 16,289 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 47th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $65,039, the median home value is $136,300, and the median age is 37.9.

The population of Crawford County has declined 4.6% since 2010 (17,166 → 16,378), a -0.34% annualized rate.

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

16,289

Population

-0.34%

Annual growth

23

People / sq mi

$65,039

Median Income

$136,300

Median Home Value

Crawford County covers 714 sq mi of land at 22.8 people per square mile.

About Crawford County, IA

Crawford County is a county in Iowa with a population of 16,289. It ranks #47 among counties in Iowa by population. The median age is 37.9, in line with the national median. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

The median household income in Crawford County is $65,039, below the US median of $74,580. 13.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $136,300, with monthly rent averaging $727. The homeownership rate of 78.7% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Crawford County reflects 18.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.1% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 17.9 minutes each way.

Crawford County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Crawford County had a population of 17,166 in 2010 and 16,378 in 2024, a -4.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,351 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.33%.

2013 · 17K20102024

16,378

Population (2024)

17,166

Population (2010)

17,351

Peak (2013)

-0.33%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201017,166
201117,213
201217,292
201317,351
201417,156
201517,069
201617,107
201717,065
201817,081
201916,903
202016,492
202116,242
202216,135
202316,138
202416,378

Race & Ethnicity

White70.1%
Black or African American1.9%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.4%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

37.9

Median Age

49.8%

Female

50.2%

Male

18.1%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
6.1%
5–9
8.0%
10–14
6.4%
15–19
7.1%
20–24
7.2%
25–34
11.0%
35–44
11.0%
45–54
11.7%
55–59
6.9%
60–64
6.5%
65–74
10.3%
75–84
5.6%
85+
2.2%

Children (under 15): 20.5% · Seniors (65+): 18.1%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$65,039$-8,108 vs state
Mean household income$83,966
Per-capita income$32,731
Poverty rate13.6%+6.7% vs state
Unemployment rate1.1%
Employment-to-population63.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing
22.6%
Professional & business services
20.5%
Agriculture
7.4%
Education & health care
5.8%
Finance & real estate
5.6%
Arts, entertainment & food
5.0%
Retail trade
4.7%
Construction
4.5%

The largest employment sector in Crawford County is manufacturing, accounting for 22.6% of workers.

How residents commute

2.8%

Drive alone

3.5%

Carpool

76.7%

Public transit

6.1%

Work from home

17.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$136,300$-59,600 vs state

Median home value

$727

Median rent

78.7%

Homeownership rate

6,852

Total housing units

90.9%

Occupied

9.1%

Vacant

21.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.4%

With health insurance

93.7%

With broadband internet

21.6%

Foreign-born

5.8%

Veterans (18+)

15.8%

With a disability

72.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

84.0%

High School+

18.3%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Other counties in Iowa

Part of Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Crawford County, Iowa has a population of 16,289 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 47th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 23 people per square mile.

The population of Crawford County has declined 4.6% since 2010 (17,166 → 16,378), a -0.34% annualized rate.

The median household income in Crawford County, Iowa is $65,039, with mean (average) household income of $83,966 and per-capita income of $32,731. 13.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Crawford County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (70.1%), Black or African American (1.9%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Crawford County, Iowa is 37.9 years. Residents are 49.8% female and 50.2% male.

The median home value in Crawford County is $136,300 and median monthly rent is $727. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,852 total housing units, 9.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Crawford County, Iowa is manufacturing, employing 22.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.1%.

Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Crawford 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.