Population 42,559 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Muscatine County
Household size in Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.55 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Muscatine County run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.56 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the northeast.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 39.1 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.0 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
At 40.0, the median age in Muscatine County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 38.6 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the east.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Muscatine County (13.7%), above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few Iowa counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only four of 99.
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 Muscatine County
Renters in Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.6% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.6% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.1% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Muscatine County own their homes; 26.1% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. About four in ten owners (41.1%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Renting is most common in the south and least common in the northwest. The renter share has risen 3.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.3% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.4% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Muscatine County: 7.4% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Muscatine County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Iowa counties.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1968 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Muscatine County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1968, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the south has the oldest housing.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $646 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $755 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $803 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,008 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$362 | +$351 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Muscatine County costs $1,008 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $362 a month from 2006–10, a 56% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 28.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the south.
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 Muscatine County
Bachelor's degrees in Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.9% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.5% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.5% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Muscatine County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 23.5%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the south.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.5% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.2% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.7% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.2 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Muscatine County is close to the national rate: 89.7% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Iowa as a whole (93.0%). The share with a diploma is up 5.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Muscatine County
| Period | Muscatine County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.0% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Muscatine County has been strong: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 5.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. 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).
Muscatine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscatine County | 2.43 | 40.0 | 13.7% | 26.1% | 7.4% | 1968 | $1,008 | 23.5% | 89.7% | 3.0% |
| Scott County | 2.39 | 40.1 | 10.8% | 30.0% | 7.7% | 1972 | $1,235 | 37.3% | 93.6% | 3.5% |
| Rock Island County | 2.29 | 41.1 | 13.3% | 30.3% | 7.8% | 1961 | $971 | 24.8% | 90.7% | 5.6% |
| Washington County | 2.52 | 40.9 | 9.0% | 26.0% | 7.7% | 1966 | $877 | 26.4% | 93.4% | 2.2% |
| Henry County | 2.42 | 44.0 | 11.2% | 20.1% | 10.4% | 1960 | $933 | 24.6% | 92.0% | 5.1% |
| Keokuk County | 2.45 | 42.9 | 9.7% | 18.7% | 11.6% | 1952 | $817 | 16.9% | 94.3% | 4.3% |
| Mahaska County | 2.45 | 39.5 | 9.9% | 32.0% | 9.7% | 1963 | $821 | 24.7% | 93.5% | 3.7% |
| Bureau County | 2.33 | 44.0 | 10.1% | 23.9% | 10.6% | 1957 | $864 | 21.6% | 91.3% | 4.3% |
| Marion County | 2.43 | 40.2 | 7.1% | 22.3% | 8.4% | 1976 | $891 | 33.1% | 94.8% | 2.3% |
| LaSalle County | 2.37 | 42.4 | 12.0% | 25.6% | 9.3% | 1966 | $1,011 | 20.5% | 92.1% | 5.7% |
| Warren County | 2.56 | 39.2 | 11.0% | 17.7% | 6.0% | 1986 | $1,078 | 33.8% | 96.7% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Columbia County, OR · Stokes County, NC · Stevens County, WA · Steuben County, IN · Stephenson County, IL · Stephens County, OK · St. Mary Parish, LA · St. Martin Parish, LA · St. Charles Parish, LA · St. Bernard Parish, LA
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 Muscatine 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.
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