Population 3,622 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Adams County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Adams County
Household size in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.26 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.19 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.30 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Adams County are small: just 2.30 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.5 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.0 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.0 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.4 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.0, Adams County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 45.5, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change. Only one other Iowa county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.5% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Adams County: 7.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Compared with other Iowa counties, Adams County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Adams County
Renters in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.5% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.9% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Adams County is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.9% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About six in ten owners (60.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.1% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.1% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.2 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.1% of the housing in Adams County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Only three of Iowa's 99 counties have a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1940 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1945 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1947 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1956 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +16 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Adams County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1956, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Compared with other Iowa counties, Adams County has older homes than most.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $391 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $610 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $589 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $863 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$472 | +$351 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Adams County costs $863 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent takes 29.5% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Adams County
Bachelor's degrees in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.9% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.4 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a quarter of adults 25 and older in Adams County (26.9%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Compared with other Iowa counties, though, Adams County has a higher share of college graduates than most.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.5% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.0% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.9% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Adams County is above the national rate: 93.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Iowa as a whole looks much the same.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Adams County
| Period | Adams County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.9% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Adams County runs below the national rate: 3.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Iowa as a whole looks much the same. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Adams County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 2.30 | 48.0 | 7.5% | 22.9% | 18.1% | 1956 | $863 | 26.9% | 93.9% | 3.8% |
| Union County | 2.35 | 41.9 | 9.0% | 27.9% | 10.9% | 1960 | $794 | 23.2% | 91.8% | 4.0% |
| Montgomery County | 2.24 | 44.0 | 11.5% | 30.9% | 8.5% | 1960 | $844 | 20.7% | 91.4% | 2.5% |
| Clarke County | 2.44 | 40.7 | 11.7% | 27.7% | 9.4% | 1978 | $823 | 16.2% | 88.9% | 4.6% |
| Mills County | 2.67 | 42.2 | 9.2% | 16.5% | 11.2% | 1969 | $937 | 30.9% | 96.8% | 1.9% |
| Sarpy County | 2.71 | 37.0 | 9.5% | 29.6% | 4.6% | 1994 | $1,451 | 43.2% | 95.6% | 2.5% |
| Cass County | 2.51 | 42.0 | 8.0% | 14.6% | 8.4% | 1977 | $1,124 | 32.3% | 96.0% | 1.9% |
| Lucas County | 2.38 | 42.1 | 10.8% | 21.2% | 9.5% | 1961 | $1,054 | 16.2% | 91.6% | 5.0% |
| Saunders County | 2.62 | 40.4 | 7.8% | 17.9% | 12.0% | 1970 | $989 | 33.3% | 97.0% | 3.0% |
| Monroe County | 2.39 | 42.8 | 9.1% | 18.7% | 13.5% | 1968 | $822 | 22.8% | 95.0% | 2.3% |
| Wapello County | 2.51 | 40.0 | 17.5% | 31.6% | 10.5% | 1957 | $950 | 18.6% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Culebra Municipio, PR · Lemhi County, ID · Vieques Municipio, PR · Cook County, MN · Dewey County, SD · Bowman County, ND · Presidio County, TX · Rosebud County, MT · Modoc County, CA · Culberson County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Adams County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.