Johnson County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 4th-largest in Iowa

The population of Johnson County, Iowa is 154,881 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 4th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $74,721, the median home value is $293,100, and the median age is 30.8.

The population of Johnson County has grown 21.9% since 2010 (131,344 → 160,080), a +1.42% annualized rate.

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

154,881

Population

+1.42%

Annual growth

253

People / sq mi

$74,721

Median Income

$293,100

Median Home Value

Johnson County covers 613 sq mi of land at 252.7 people per square mile.

About Johnson County, IA

Educational attainment is the headline number in Johnson County: 54.6% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Johnson County is a county in Iowa with a population of 154,881. It is the #4-largest of all counties in Iowa nationally.

Households take in a median $74,721, comfortably near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 6.1%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $293,100, with typical rent around $1,104.

Degree attainment is near the top of the range for US counties: 54.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s, above the 35.0% national rate. Remote work is on the higher side at 12.6%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.

The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Johnson County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.

Johnson County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Johnson County had a population of 131,344 in 2010 and 160,080 in 2024, a 21.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 160,080 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.42%.

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

160,080

Population (2024)

131,344

Population (2010)

160,080

Peak (2024)

1.42%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	131,344	-	-	estimate
2011	134,125	+2,781	+2.12%	estimate
2012	137,180	+3,055	+2.28%	estimate
2013	140,266	+3,086	+2.25%	estimate
2014	142,874	+2,608	+1.86%	estimate
2015	145,114	+2,240	+1.57%	estimate
2016	147,167	+2,053	+1.41%	estimate
2017	149,703	+2,536	+1.72%	estimate
2018	151,003	+1,300	+0.87%	estimate
2019	152,480	+1,477	+0.98%	estimate
2020	153,052	+572	+0.38%	estimate
2021	155,047	+1,995	+1.30%	estimate
2022	156,815	+1,768	+1.14%	estimate
2023	158,202	+1,387	+0.88%	estimate
2024	160,080	+1,878	+1.19%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	77.6%
Black or African American	7.6%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.3%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

30.8

Median Age

50.3%

Female

49.7%

Male

12.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.4%

5–9

5.8%

10–14

5.1%

15–19

8.9%

20–24

15.2%

25–34

14.8%

35–44

12.4%

45–54

9.9%

55–59

4.7%

60–64

4.9%

65–74

7.9%

75–84

3.6%

85+

1.4%

Children (under 15): 16.3% · Seniors (65+): 12.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$74,721+$1,574 vs state
Mean household income	$108,967
Per-capita income	$44,699
Poverty rate	6.1%-0.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.5%
Employment-to-population	67.1%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

40.7%

Education & health care

8.5%

Manufacturing

8.2%

Finance & real estate

7.8%

Information

5.6%

Retail trade

3.7%

Construction

3.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

3.4%

The largest employment sector in Johnson County is professional & business services, accounting for 40.7% of workers.

How residents commute

4.1%

Drive alone

7.9%

Carpool

64.9%

Public transit

12.6%

Work from home

19.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$293,100+$97,200 vs state

Median home value

$1,104

Median rent

58.8%

Homeownership rate

67,211

Total housing units

92.6%

Occupied

7.4%

Vacant

41.2%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.9%

With health insurance

96.6%

With broadband internet

31.3%

Foreign-born

3.9%

Veterans (18+)

9.5%

With a disability

84.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

96.2%

High School+

54.6%

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)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)Warren County (53,484)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

Johnson County, Iowa has a population of 154,881 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 4th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 253 people per square mile.

The population of Johnson County has grown 21.9% since 2010 (131,344 → 160,080), a +1.42% annualized rate.

The median household income in Johnson County, Iowa is $74,721, with mean (average) household income of $108,967 and per-capita income of $44,699. 6.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Johnson County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (77.6%), Black or African American (7.6%), Hispanic or Latino (1.3%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Johnson County, Iowa is 30.8 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.

The median home value in Johnson County is $293,100 and median monthly rent is $1,104. 58.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 67,211 total housing units, 7.4% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Johnson County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 40.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.

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