Wapello County, IA

County

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2021 Population

35,343

0.687% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.2

1.01% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

15.2%

8.49% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$51,222

10.3% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$89,600

2.52% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

16,316

0.202% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Wapello County, IA had a population of 35.3k people with a median age of 39.2 and a median household income of $51,222. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Wapello County, IA grew from 35,102 to 35,343, a 0.687% increase and its median household income grew from $46,433 to $51,222, a 10.3% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wapello County, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (80.5%), White (Hispanic) (5.69%), Other (Hispanic) (3.38%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.26%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.47%).

None of the households in Wapello County, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96% of the residents in Wapello County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wapello County, IA are Indian Hills Community College (755 degrees awarded in 2021) and Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa (14 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Wapello County, IA was $89,600, and the homeownership rate was 67%.

Most people in Wapello County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Wapello County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Wapello County, IA borders Appanoose County, IA, Davis County, IA, Jefferson County, IA, Keokuk County, IA, Mahaska County, IA, Monroe County, IA, and Van Buren County, IA.

United States Iowa Ottumwa, IA

Population & Diversity

Wapello County, IA is home to a population of 35.3k people, from which 96% are citizens. As of 2021, 7.37% of Wapello County, IA residents were born outside of the country (2.61k people).

In 2021, there were 14.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (28.4k people) in Wapello County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.01k White (Hispanic) and 1.2k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96%

2021 Citizenship

95.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96% of Wapello County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Wapello County, IA was 95.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wapello County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wapello County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
28.4k ± 60
White (Hispanic)
2.01k ± 352
Other (Hispanic)
1.2k ± 301

11.2%

Hispanic Population

3.96k people

11.2% of the people in Wapello County, IA are hispanic (3.96k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wapello County, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,634 ± 4,977 people
India
10,950 ± 2,565 people
Vietnam
8,674 ± 2,283 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,634 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,950 and Vietnam with 8,674.

Foreign-Born Population

7.37%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.61k people

7.93%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.78k people

As of 2021, 7.37% of Wapello County, IA residents (2.61k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wapello County, IA was 7.93%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wapello County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
647 ± 123
Gulf War (2001-)
275 ± 115
Gulf War (1990s)
274 ± 136

Wapello County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.35 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Wapello County, IA employs 16.3k people. The largest industries in Wapello County, IA are Manufacturing (35,562 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,775 people), and Retail Trade (17,943 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($81,667), Public Administration ($49,554), and Construction ($46,726).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

16.3k

2021 Value

± 872

−0.202%

1 Year decline

± 7.42%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wapello County, IA declined at a rate of −0.202%, from 16.3k employees to 16.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wapello County, IA, are Production Occupations (2,618 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,630 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,324 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wapello County, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

16.3k

2021 Value

± 872

−0.202%

1 Year decline

± 7.42%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Wapello County, IA declined at a rate of −0.202%, from 16.3k employees to 16.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wapello County, IA, are Manufacturing (35,562 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,775 people), and Retail Trade (17,943 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wapello County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Wapello County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,604

Median earning men ± $2,483

$31,211

Median earning women ± $1,950

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($60,938), Public Administration ($60,288), and Manufacturing ($48,537).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($55,938), Construction ($50,833), and Public Administration ($45,625).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

310
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
212
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
161
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$532k
Manufacturing
$195k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$67.7k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wapello County, IA went to Donald J. Trump with 61% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.28%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.28%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Wapello County, IA went to Donald J. Trump with 61% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.28%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wapello County, IA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Wapello County, IA awarded 769 degrees. The student population of Wapello County, IA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,581 male students and 1,814 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wapello County, IA are White (568 and 76.1%), followed by Black or African American (56 and 7.51%), Hispanic or Latino (56 and 7.51%), and Two or More Races (32 and 4.29%).

The largest universities in Wapello County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Indian Hills Community College (755 and 98.2%) and Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa (14 and 1.82%).

The most popular majors in Wapello County, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (234 and 30.4%), Welding Technology (57 and 7.41%), and Registered Nursing (38 and 4.94%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 3,395 students enrolled in Wapello County, IA, 46.6% men and 53.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,581 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Laser & Optical Technology
27 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
234 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
28 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Wapello County, IA was Laser & Optical Technology with 27 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Wapello County, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Indian Hills Community College
755 degrees awarded
Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa
14 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Indian Hills Community College with 755 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 363 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wapello County, IA, which is 0.894 times less than the 406 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 568 degrees mean that there were 10.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 56 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,560) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Measure

In 2021, 0.63% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.621% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (742k), Some college (567k), and Bachelors Degree (459k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wapello County, IA was $89,600 in 2021, which is 0.366 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $87,400 to $89,600, a 2.52% increase. The homeownership rate in Wapello County, IA is 67%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Wapello County, IA have an average commute time of 18.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wapello County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Wapello County, IA is $51,222. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Wapello County, IA was Census Tract 9603 with a value of $68,581, followed by Census Tract 9607 and Census Tract 9611, with respective values of $67,313 and $63,798.

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wapello County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 1.92%.

Housing

Property

$89,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,359

$9,467

Median Property Taxes

±$558

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wapello County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Wapello County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67%

Homeownership

2021

61.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67% of the housing units in Wapello County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 67.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Wapello County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9603
Census Tract 9607
Census Tract 9611

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wapello County, IA was Census Tract 9603 with a value of $68,581, followed by Census Tract 9607 and Census Tract 9611, with respective values of $67,313 and $63,798.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wapello County, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$51,222

Median Household Income

± $2,529

14.1k

Number of Households

± 801

In 2021, the median household income of the 14.1k households in Wapello County, IA grew to $51,222 from the previous year's value of $46,433.

The following chart displays the households in Wapello County, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wapello County, IA is from Iowa.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2021, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.221% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (82.8%)
Carpooled (10.8%)
Worked At Home (3.36%)

In 2021, 82.8% of workers in Wapello County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.8%) and those who worked at home (3.36%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wapello County, IA have a shorter commute time (18.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.6% of the workforce in Wapello County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wapello County, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wapello County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wapello County, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wapello County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 1.92%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wapello County, IA (5.26k out of 34.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wapello County, IA is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 18% of the children was living in poverty in Wapello County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 3.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 315 in Wapello County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 47.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

93.5% of the population of Wapello County, IA has health coverage, with 45.6% on employee plans, 21.9% on Medicaid, 13.3% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 0.991% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wapello County, IA see 1943 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.86% increase from the previous year (1853 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1521 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 530 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,943 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wapello County, IA

Primary care physicians in Wapello County, IA see an average of 1,943 patients per year. This represents a 4.86% increase from the previous year (1,853 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wapello County, IA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 20% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.48%

Uninsured

45.6%

Employer Coverage

21.9%

Medicaid

13.3%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

0.991%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wapello County, IA declined by 8.69% from 7.1% to 6.48%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wapello County, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 50.5 in Wapello County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wapello County, IA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 38.2% in Wapello County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wapello County, IA.

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