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Oskaloosa, IA Micro Area

Oskaloosa, IA · Micro Area

22,021Population

A micropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$70,940
Median home value
$157,800
Land area
571 sq mi
39 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this micro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Mahaska County, IACentral22,021$70,940$157,800

Largest cities and towns

9 places in our city pages lie in this area.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Oskaloosa, IACity11,504$64,004
New Sharon, IACity1,180$48,750
Fremont, IACity924$78,333
University Park, IACity645$74,167
Beacon, IACity425$55,625
Rose Hill, IACity300$82,917
Leighton, IACity150$66,389
Keomah Village, IACity123$79,688
Barnes City, IACity117$82,500

Also in the Des Moines-West Des Moines-Ames, IA combined area

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
12.6%
Unemployment
3.5%
College Educated
24.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income
$70,940
Mean Household Income
$86,931

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male
50.8%
Female
49.2%

Population Split

Male50.8%
Female49.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German20.5%
English15.7%
Irish11.7%
Scottish1.5%
Mexican1.5%
French1.4%
Polish0.7%
Italian0.5%
African0.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

2.2%Foreign Born
97.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized49.6%
Non-Citizen50.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later42.5%
Before 201057.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
9,728
Median Rent
$793/mo
Median Home Value
$157,800
Median Year Built
1965

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
5,111
College Enrollment
18.4%
High School
21.0%
College Educated
24.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
18.0 min
Drive Alone Rate
80.3%
Public Transit
0.2%
Work From Home
7.5%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18
23.7%
18-34 Years
21.3%
35-64 Years
35.9%
65+ Years
19.1%

Population Composition

Under 1823.7%
18-3421.3%
35-6435.9%
65+19.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples
50.9%
Single Parent
5.5%
Living Alone
31.0%
Avg Size
2.43

Household Types

Married Couples50.9%
Single Parent5.5%
Living Alone31.0%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income
$36,118
SNAP Usage
13.0%
Health Insurance
95.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k16.8%
$25k - $50k17.3%
$50k - $100k34.7%
$100k+31.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
25.0%
Retail Trade
13.7%
Education & Health Care
20.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet
89.7%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
94.5%vs ~95% National Avg
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better
84.1
0130
Below average< 97
Near average97 - 103
Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better
225.9
0200
Hard to Afford< 80
Moderate80 - 100
Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

The BEA publishes price levels for metro areas only, so for this micro area the cost-of-living figure is the state's average for areas outside metros.