Population 7,241 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Van Buren County
Household size in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.45 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.54 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.14 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Van Buren County has 2.54 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Still, the typical household here is bigger than in Iowa overall, where it has 2.43 people. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.40, even as the national average fell.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.6 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.3 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.6 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.9, Van Buren 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 44.6, in line with the national trend. Only seven of Iowa's 99 counties are 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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.6% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.9% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Van Buren County than nationally: 8.9%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 1.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Van Buren County
Renters in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.4% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 18.4% of households in Van Buren County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 57.7% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northeast; owners are most common in the southwest. The renter share is down 3.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.6% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.5% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.5% of the housing in Van Buren 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. Vacancy has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1956 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Van Buren County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1969, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1956 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $498 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $527 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $600 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $655 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$157 | +$351 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Van Buren County costs $655 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $157 a month from 2006–10, a 31% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other Iowa county has lower rents.
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 Van Buren County
Bachelor's degrees in Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Van Buren County: 19.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Van Buren County has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five Iowa counties.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.2% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.5% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.5% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.1% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Van Buren County never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is down 1.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose. Few Iowa counties have a lower share of high school graduates: only three of 99.
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 Van Buren County
| Period | Van Buren County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Van Buren County than nationally: unemployment was 4.5%, against 5.4%. Even so, the rate is higher than in Iowa as a whole (3.7%). Unemployment has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Van Buren 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | 2.54 | 45.9 | 8.9% | 18.4% | 17.5% | 1969 | $655 | 19.3% | 85.1% | 4.5% |
| Davis County | 2.86 | 37.3 | 8.1% | 16.7% | 10.1% | 1971 | $939 | 16.9% | 81.4% | 3.2% |
| Des Moines County | 2.25 | 41.8 | 12.2% | 25.4% | 9.8% | 1960 | $916 | 23.3% | 93.1% | 3.4% |
| Appanoose County | 2.37 | 43.5 | 9.9% | 31.2% | 16.8% | 1962 | $794 | 20.4% | 89.6% | 3.8% |
| Henderson County | 2.32 | 48.8 | 8.9% | 18.9% | 18.4% | 1968 | $834 | 22.3% | 91.5% | 7.7% |
| Warren County | 2.30 | 40.2 | 14.6% | 24.8% | 10.0% | 1955 | $784 | 22.6% | 87.1% | 3.7% |
| Wayne County | 2.55 | 41.3 | 6.7% | 19.1% | 14.3% | 1967 | $697 | 17.1% | 89.5% | 3.0% |
| Decatur County | 2.36 | 36.9 | 8.6% | 30.3% | 15.1% | 1971 | $845 | 24.2% | 90.1% | 1.8% |
| Ringgold County | 2.36 | 45.4 | 6.9% | 21.5% | 21.7% | 1962 | $802 | 24.8% | 93.9% | 3.5% |
| Peoria County | 2.34 | 39.7 | 12.4% | 33.0% | 9.0% | 1969 | $1,059 | 36.3% | 93.4% | 6.0% |
| Tazewell County | 2.40 | 42.1 | 8.9% | 21.6% | 8.6% | 1968 | $1,007 | 29.0% | 94.2% | 3.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Hyde County, SD · Hidalgo County, NM · Highland County, VA · Hill County, MT · Hinsdale County, CO · Hitchcock County, NE · Hodgeman County, KS · Holmes County, MS · Holt County, MO · Hooker County, NE
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 Van Buren 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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