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Population Review

Jackson County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 35th-largest in Iowa

The population of Jackson County, Iowa is 19,429 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 35th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $71,605, the median home value is $170,000, and the median age is 44.2.

The population of Jackson County has declined 2.2% since 2010 (19,831 → 19,390), a -0.16% annualized rate.

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

19,429

Population

-0.16%

Annual growth

31

People / sq mi

$71,605

Median Income

$170,000

Median Home Value

Jackson County covers 636 sq mi of land at 30.5 people per square mile.

About Jackson County, IA

Jackson County is a county in Iowa with a population of 19,429. It ranks #35 among counties in Iowa by population. The median age is 44.2, older than the national median. The population is 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

The median household income in Jackson County is $71,605, near the US median of $74,580. 6.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $170,000, with monthly rent averaging $800. The homeownership rate of 78.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Jackson County reflects 18.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 9.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 25.0 minutes each way.

Jackson County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Jackson County had a population of 19,831 in 2010 and 19,390 in 2024, a -2.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,831 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.16%.

2010 · 20K20102024

19,390

Population (2024)

19,831

Population (2010)

19,831

Peak (2010)

-0.16%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201019,831
201119,734
201219,684
201319,516
201419,430
201519,363
201619,406
201719,377
201819,375
201919,375
202019,453
202119,402
202219,350
202319,353
202419,390

Race & Ethnicity

White95.9%
Black or African American0.8%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.6%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

44.2

Median Age

49.5%

Female

50.5%

Male

21.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.7%
5–9
6.6%
10–14
6.2%
15–19
5.6%
20–24
5.0%
25–34
10.2%
35–44
11.2%
45–54
11.7%
55–59
8.0%
60–64
8.1%
65–74
12.7%
75–84
6.2%
85+
2.8%

Children (under 15): 18.5% · Seniors (65+): 21.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$71,605$-1,542 vs state
Mean household income$89,865
Per-capita income$38,325
Poverty rate6.4%-0.5% vs state
Unemployment rate3.0%
Employment-to-population60.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
22.0%
Manufacturing
16.8%
Construction
8.4%
Information
7.0%
Agriculture
6.5%
Finance & real estate
5.3%
Retail trade
5.0%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.9%

The largest employment sector in Jackson County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.0% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

2.2%

Carpool

81.7%

Public transit

9.6%

Work from home

25.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$170,000$-25,900 vs state

Median home value

$800

Median rent

78.6%

Homeownership rate

9,272

Total housing units

89.5%

Occupied

10.5%

Vacant

21.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.6%

With health insurance

88.6%

With broadband internet

18.5%

Foreign-born

7.6%

Veterans (18+)

12.3%

With a disability

97.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

93.8%

High School+

18.4%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Other counties in Iowa

Part of Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Jackson County, Iowa has a population of 19,429 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 35th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 31 people per square mile.

The population of Jackson County has declined 2.2% since 2010 (19,831 → 19,390), a -0.16% annualized rate.

The median household income in Jackson County, Iowa is $71,605, with mean (average) household income of $89,865 and per-capita income of $38,325. 6.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Jackson County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.9%), Black or African American (0.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Jackson County, Iowa is 44.2 years. Residents are 49.5% female and 50.5% male.

The median home value in Jackson County is $170,000 and median monthly rent is $800. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 9,272 total housing units, 10.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Jackson County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Jackson 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.