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Population Review

Dubuque County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 8th-largest in Iowa

The population of Dubuque County, Iowa is 98,948 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $75,919, the median home value is $226,100, and the median age is 38.8.

The population of Dubuque County has grown 5.7% since 2010 (93,933 → 99,242), a +0.39% annualized rate.

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

98,948

Population

+0.39%

Annual growth

163

People / sq mi

$75,919

Median Income

$226,100

Median Home Value

Dubuque County covers 608 sq mi of land at 162.7 people per square mile.

About Dubuque County, IA

The poverty rate is what most separates Dubuque County from the typical county: 5.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Dubuque County is a county in Iowa with a population of 98,948. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Iowa in the country, at #8 by population.

The typical household earns $75,919 a year, near the US median of $78,538. Only 5.3% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $226,100, with typical rent around $944.

College attainment is above the local norm at 32.9%, below the national 35.0%. A solid 11.0% of workers are based at home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 17 minutes each way.

Dubuque County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Dubuque County had a population of 93,933 in 2010 and 99,242 in 2024, a 5.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 99,310 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.40%.

2020 · 99K20102024
Dubuque County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

99,242

Population (2024)

93,933

Population (2010)

99,310

Peak (2020)

0.40%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201093,933
201194,656
201295,183
201395,990
201496,544
201596,934
201696,819
201797,162
201896,961
201997,432
202099,310
202198,863
202298,748
202398,988
202499,242

Race & Ethnicity

White89.9%
Black or African American2.9%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.5%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

38.8

Median Age

50.3%

Female

49.7%

Male

18.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
6.0%
5–9
6.8%
10–14
5.8%
15–19
7.2%
20–24
6.9%
25–34
12.2%
35–44
12.0%
45–54
10.8%
55–59
6.4%
60–64
7.0%
65–74
10.8%
75–84
5.6%
85+
2.4%

Children (under 15): 18.6% · Seniors (65+): 18.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$75,919+$2,772 vs state
Mean household income$98,871
Per-capita income$40,624
Poverty rate5.3%-1.6% vs state
Unemployment rate2.5%
Employment-to-population64.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
25.3%
Manufacturing
17.3%
Information
7.5%
Education & health care
7.4%
Finance & real estate
7.2%
Construction
5.4%
Retail trade
4.9%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.6%

The largest employment sector in Dubuque County is professional & business services, accounting for 25.3% of workers.

How residents commute

1.0%

Drive alone

2.5%

Carpool

78.4%

Public transit

11.0%

Work from home

17.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$226,100+$30,200 vs state

Median home value

$944

Median rent

73.2%

Homeownership rate

43,003

Total housing units

94.4%

Occupied

5.6%

Vacant

26.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

96.5%

With health insurance

94.3%

With broadband internet

22.2%

Foreign-born

6.2%

Veterans (18+)

10.9%

With a disability

95.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

94.1%

High School+

32.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Other counties in Iowa

Part of Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Dubuque County, Iowa has a population of 98,948 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 163 people per square mile.

The population of Dubuque County has grown 5.7% since 2010 (93,933 → 99,242), a +0.39% annualized rate.

The median household income in Dubuque County, Iowa is $75,919, with mean (average) household income of $98,871 and per-capita income of $40,624. 5.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Dubuque County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.9%), Black or African American (2.9%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Dubuque County, Iowa is 38.8 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.

The median home value in Dubuque County is $226,100 and median monthly rent is $944. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 43,003 total housing units, 5.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Dubuque County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 25.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Dubuque 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.