Black Hawk County, IA

County

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    2024 Population
    131,049
    US Senator
    Chuck Grassley
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Joni Ernst
    Republican Party
    2024 Poverty Rate
    14.9%
    1.62% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $66,417
    2.84% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $188,900
    3.56% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    66,926
    0.613% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Black Hawk 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.

    96.4% of the residents in Black Hawk County, IA are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Black Hawk County, IA are University of Northern Iowa (2,535 degrees awarded in 2024), Hawkeye Community College (1,026 degrees), and Allen College (208 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Black Hawk County, IA was $188,900, and the homeownership rate was 66.2%.

    Most people in Black Hawk County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Black Hawk County, IA was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesIowaWaterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

    Population & Diversity

    Black Hawk County, IA is home to a population of 131k people, from which 96.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 6.26% of Black Hawk County, IA residents were born outside of the country (8.2k people).

    In 2024, there were 8.54 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (102k people) in Black Hawk County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.24k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    96.4%
    2024 Citizenship
    96.7%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 96.4% of Black Hawk County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Black Hawk County, IA was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Black Hawk County, IA
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      102k ± 341
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      12k ± 584
    3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      4.24k ± 680
    5.24%
    Hispanic Population
    6.86k people

    In 2024, there were 8.54 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (102k people) in Black Hawk County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.24k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    5.24% of the people in Black Hawk County, IA are hispanic (6.86k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Black Hawk County, IA as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      44,333 ± 5,134 people
    2. India
      11,889 ± 2,672 people
    3. Guatemala
      8,189 ± 2,219 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 44,333 Iowa residents, followed by India with 11,889 and Guatemala with 8,189.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    6.26%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    8.2k people
    6.27%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    8.2k people

    As of 2024, 6.26% of Black Hawk County, IA residents (8.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Black Hawk County, IA was 6.27%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      2,252 ± 229
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      1,154 ± 250
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      735 ± 169

    Black Hawk County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.95 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Black Hawk County, IA.

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    Health

    94.9% of the population of Black Hawk County, IA has health coverage, with 49.8% on employee plans, 18.5% on Medicaid, 14.1% on Medicare, 11.3% on non-group plans, and 1.13% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Black Hawk County, IA see 1,051 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,051 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1265 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 387 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,051 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Black Hawk County, IA

    Primary care physicians in Black Hawk County, IA see an average of 1,051 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,051 patients).

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

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.1% under 18 years, 25.4% between 18 and 34 years, 33.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    5.07%
    Uninsured
    49.8%
    Employer Coverage
    18.5%
    Medicaid
    14.1%
    Medicare
    11.3%
    Non-Group
    1.13%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Black Hawk County, IA grew by 15.4% from 4.39% to 5.07%.

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

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.93 in Black Hawk County, IA.

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

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, 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 39.1% in Black Hawk County, IA.

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

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 5.24% in Black Hawk County, IA.

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

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    Economy

    The economy of Black Hawk County, IA employs 66.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Black Hawk County, IA were Manufacturing (11,126 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,366 people), and Retail Trade (8,956 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($104,265), Public Administration ($66,046), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($63,125).

    Employment

    Occupations

    66.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,881
    0.613%
    1 Year growth
    ± 3.95%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Black Hawk County, IA grew at a rate of 0.613%, from 66.5k employees to 66.9k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Black Hawk County, IA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,808 people), Management Occupations (6,162 people), and Production Occupations (5,854 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Black Hawk County, IA.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

    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

    66.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,881
    0.613%
    1 Year growth
    ± 3.95%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Black Hawk County, IA grew at a rate of 0.613%, from 66.5k employees to 66.9k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Black Hawk County, IA, are Manufacturing (11,126 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (9,366 people), and Retail Trade (8,956 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Black Hawk County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Black Hawk County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $49,210
    Median earning men ± $1,485
    $34,942
    Median earning women ± $1,665

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($67,372), Manufacturing ($65,828), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($64,900).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($61,696), Public Administration ($59,250), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,860).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.
    Y-Axis
    1.48%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.57M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 1.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

    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
    1. 190
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 156
      Retail Trade
    3. 155
      Health Care and Social Assistance

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

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $947k
      Manufacturing
    2. $573k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $284k
      Retail Trade

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

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

    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

    Voting results are not available for Black Hawk County, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (42.5%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (0.789%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Iowa

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.
    Chuck Grassley
    Senator from Iowa3
    Assumed office on January 3, 1981
    Joni Ernst
    Senator from Iowa2
    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.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Black Hawk County, IA awarded 3,823 degrees. The student population of Black Hawk County, IA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 5,554 male students and 9,472 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Black Hawk County, IA are White (3,200 and 85.1%), Hispanic or Latino (210 and 5.58%), Black or African American (137 and 3.64%), and Two or More Races (99 and 2.63%).

    The largest universities in Black Hawk County, IA by number of degrees awarded are University of Northern Iowa (2,535 and 66.3%), Hawkeye Community College (1,026 and 26.8%), and Allen College (208 and 5.44%).

    The most popular majors in Black Hawk County, IA are Elementary Education & Teaching (300 and 7.85%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (296 and 7.74%), and Registered Nursing (234 and 6.12%).

    The median tuition costs are $22,624 for private four year colleges, and $8,564 and $20,340 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in Black Hawk County, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 92.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 31.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 15,026 (37% men and 63% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 15,026 students enrolled in Black Hawk County, IA, 37% men and 63% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 12,005 records, of which 63.7% were women and 36.3% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Elementary Education & Teaching
      293 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      112 degrees awarded
    3. Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods
      110 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Black Hawk County, IA was Elementary Education & Teaching with 293 degrees awarded.

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

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. University of Northern Iowa
      2,535 degrees awarded
    2. Hawkeye Community College
      1,026 degrees awarded
    3. Allen College
      208 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Northern Iowa with 2,535 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 1,371 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Black Hawk County, IA, which is 0.559 times less than the 2,452 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,200 degrees mean that there were 15.2 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 210 degrees awarded.

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    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.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($22,624) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,163) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,136) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Black Hawk County, IA was $188,900 in 2024, which is 0.568 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $182,400 to $188,900, a 3.56% increase. The homeownership rate in Black Hawk County, IA is 66.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Black Hawk County, IA have an average commute time of 15.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Black Hawk County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 14.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Black Hawk County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.0329%.

    Housing

    Property

    $188,900
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$4,988
    $36,139
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$1,181

    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 Black Hawk County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

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    Rent vs Own

    66.2%
    Homeownership
    2024
    63.9%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 66.2% of the housing units in Black Hawk County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.3%.

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

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $66,417
    Median Household Income
    ± $1,805
    54.6k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,698

    In 2024, the median household income of the 54.6k households in Black Hawk County, IA grew to $66,417 from the previous year's value of $64,581.

    The following chart displays the households in Black Hawk 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.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Black Hawk County, IA is from Iowa.
    0.435
    2024 Wage GINI in Iowa
    0.441
    2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

    In 2024, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.435 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.29% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (78.4%)
    2. Worked At Home (8.86%)
    3. Carpooled (8.53%)

    In 2024, 78.4% of workers in Black Hawk County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.86%) and those who carpooled to work (8.53%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    15.9 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Black Hawk County, IA have a shorter commute time (15.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.11% of the workforce in Black Hawk County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

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

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 14.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Black Hawk County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.0329%.

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

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    Poverty & Diversity

    14.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Black Hawk County, IA (18.8k out of 126k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Black Hawk 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.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 15.1% of the children was living in poverty in Black Hawk County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.5%.

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

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 511 in Black Hawk County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 42% 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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