Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Emerson, IA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

570

Median Agei

45.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

94.4%538

Two or More

3%17

Asian

1.6%9

Hispanic/Latino

1.1%6

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.3%17

High School Diploma

31.1%123

Some College (<1 yr)

9.1%36

Some College (1+ yr)

13.7%54

Associate's Degree

11.4%45

Bachelor's Degree

8.4%33

Master's Degree

1.5%6

HS or Higher

79.5%

BA or Higher

9.9%

Graduate+

1.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$119,500

Median Renti

$1,034

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

82.5%203

Renter-Occupied

17.5%43

Total Units

282

Homeownership

82.5%

Vacancy Rate

12.8%

Home Values

Under $50K

14.8%30

$50K–$100K

25.6%52

$100K–$150K

25.1%51

$150K–$200K

15.3%31

$200K–$300K

15.8%32

$300K–$500K

3.4%7

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

Year Built

2010–2019

1.4%4

2000–2009

3.2%9

1990–1999

7.4%21

1980–1989

3.5%10

1970–1979

10.6%30

1960–1969

1.8%5

1950–1959

10.6%30

1940–1949

5.3%15

1939 or earlier

56%158

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

85.8%211

Electricity

12.6%31

Bottled/LP Gas

1.6%4

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$49,063

Mean Household Incomei

$76,251

Per Capita Incomei

$33,662

Poverty Ratei

15.1%

Unemploymenti

4.2%

Labor Forcei

260

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.1%10

$10K–$15K

4.9%12

$15K–$20K

2.4%6

$20K–$25K

4.1%10

$25K–$30K

7.3%18

$30K–$35K

4.9%12

$35K–$40K

4.1%10

$40K–$45K

7.3%18

$45K–$50K

12.2%30

$50K–$60K

4.1%10

$60K–$75K

6.5%16

$75K–$100K

8.9%22

$100K–$125K

14.6%36

$125K–$150K

0.8%2

$150K–$200K

11.8%29

$200K+

2%5

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers5 homes

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

91.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Germany

Philippines

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

247

Avg. Commutei

26.5 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

245

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

56(12.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.3%Insured

5.7%Uninsured