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Population Review

Pottawattamie County, Iowa Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in Iowa

The population of Pottawattamie County, Iowa is 93,407 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $71,446, the median home value is $183,600, and the median age is 40.1.

The population of Pottawattamie County has grown 0.2% since 2010 (93,363 → 93,529), a +0.01% annualized rate.

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

93,407

Population

+0.01%

Annual growth

98

People / sq mi

$71,446

Median Income

$183,600

Median Home Value

Pottawattamie County covers 951 sq mi of land at 98.2 people per square mile.

About Pottawattamie County, IA

Pottawattamie County is a county in Iowa with a population of 93,407. It ranks #10 among counties in Iowa by population. The median age is 40.1, older than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

The median household income in Pottawattamie County is $71,446, near the US median of $74,580. 7.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $183,600, with monthly rent averaging $970. The homeownership rate of 70.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Pottawattamie County reflects 23.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 8.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.2 minutes each way.

Pottawattamie County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Pottawattamie County had a population of 93,363 in 2010 and 93,529 in 2024, a 0.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 93,657 in 2015. Average annual growth rate: 0.01%.

2015 · 94K20102024

93,529

Population (2024)

93,363

Population (2010)

93,657

Peak (2015)

0.01%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201093,363
201193,517
201292,965
201392,923
201493,332
201593,657
201693,649
201793,563
201893,445
201993,405
202093,655
202193,403
202293,180
202393,353
202493,529

Race & Ethnicity

White89.0%
Black or African American1.8%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.4%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

40.1

Median Age

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Male

18.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.5%
5–9
6.8%
10–14
6.7%
15–19
7.0%
20–24
5.6%
25–34
12.0%
35–44
12.5%
45–54
11.7%
55–59
6.8%
60–64
7.0%
65–74
11.1%
75–84
5.1%
85+
2.1%

Children (under 15): 19.0% · Seniors (65+): 18.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$71,446$-1,701 vs state
Mean household income$90,639
Per-capita income$36,853
Poverty rate7.1%+0.2% vs state
Unemployment rate2.4%
Employment-to-population61.2%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
21.6%
Manufacturing
10.5%
Education & health care
9.0%
Finance & real estate
8.1%
Retail trade
7.9%
Information
7.9%
Construction
7.7%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.6%

The largest employment sector in Pottawattamie County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.6% of workers.

How residents commute

0.6%

Drive alone

1.7%

Carpool

80.4%

Public transit

8.9%

Work from home

20.2 min

Avg commute

Housing

$183,600$-12,300 vs state

Median home value

$970

Median rent

70.3%

Homeownership rate

40,022

Total housing units

93.8%

Occupied

6.2%

Vacant

29.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

95.2%

With health insurance

92.6%

With broadband internet

42.9%

Foreign-born

8.6%

Veterans (18+)

15.8%

With a disability

93.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.0%

High School+

23.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Iowa

Other counties in Iowa

Part of Iowa

Metro areas in Iowa

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Pottawattamie County, Iowa has a population of 93,407 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 98 people per square mile.

The population of Pottawattamie County has grown 0.2% since 2010 (93,363 → 93,529), a +0.01% annualized rate.

The median household income in Pottawattamie County, Iowa is $71,446, with mean (average) household income of $90,639 and per-capita income of $36,853. 7.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Pottawattamie County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.0%), Black or African American (1.8%), 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 Pottawattamie County, Iowa is 40.1 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.

The median home value in Pottawattamie County is $183,600 and median monthly rent is $970. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 40,022 total housing units, 6.2% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Pottawattamie County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.6% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.4%.

Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Pottawattamie 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.