Mahaska County, IA

County

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2024 Population

22,021

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

0.256% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

12.6%

6.65% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$70,940

2.78% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$157,800

12% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

10,947

2.62% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Mahaska 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.

98.9% of the residents in Mahaska County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Mahaska County, IA are William Penn University (321 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Mahaska County, IA was $157,800, and the homeownership rate was 68%.

Most people in Mahaska County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18 minutes. The average car ownership in Mahaska County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Mahaska County, IA borders Jasper County, IA, Keokuk County, IA, Marion County, IA, Monroe County, IA, Poweshiek County, IA, and Wapello County, IA.

United States Iowa Oskaloosa, IA

Population & Diversity

Mahaska County, IA is home to a population of 22k people, from which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.14% of Mahaska County, IA residents were born outside of the country (471 people).

In 2024, there were 32.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (20.2k people) in Mahaska County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 614 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 247 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.9%

2024 Citizenship

98.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.9% of Mahaska County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Mahaska County, IA was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Mahaska County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
20.2k ± 98
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
614 ± 97
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
247 ± 56

2.5%

Hispanic Population

550 people

2.5% of the people in Mahaska County, IA are hispanic (550 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Mahaska 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
42,808 ± 5,046 people
India
12,283 ± 2,716 people
China
7,889 ± 2,178 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,808 Iowa residents, followed by India with 12,283 and China with 7,889.

Foreign-Born Population

2.14%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

471 people

2.09%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

461 people

As of 2024, 2.14% of Mahaska County, IA residents (471 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 Mahaska County, IA was 2.09%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
360 ± 92
Gulf War (2001-)
215 ± 90
Gulf War (1990s)
126 ± 69

Mahaska County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.67 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Economy

The economy of Mahaska County, IA employs 10.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Mahaska County, IA were Manufacturing (2,735 people), Retail Trade (1,496 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,318 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($72,036), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($61,442), and Transportation & Warehousing ($56,042).

Employment

Occupations

10.9k

2024 Value

± 619

−2.62%

1 Year decline

± 8.14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Mahaska County, IA declined at a rate of −2.62%, from 11.2k employees to 10.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Mahaska County, IA, are Production Occupations (1,308 people), Management Occupations (1,160 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,044 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Mahaska County, IA.

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

10.9k

2024 Value

± 619

−2.62%

1 Year decline

± 8.14%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Mahaska County, IA declined at a rate of −2.62%, from 11.2k employees to 10.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Mahaska County, IA, are Manufacturing (2,735 people), Retail Trade (1,496 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,318 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Mahaska County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Mahaska County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,630

Median earning men ± $2,119

$33,066

Median earning women ± $4,416

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($120,694), Public Administration ($72,500), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($64,250).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($50,417), Public Administration ($47,833), and Manufacturing ($47,583).

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.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

56
Other Services (except Public Administration)
49
Construction
32
Transportation and Warehousing

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.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$109k
Manufacturing
$52.9k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$26.1k
Retail Trade

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

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Mahaska County, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
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.

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.

Education

In 2023, universities in Mahaska County, IA awarded 321 degrees. The student population of Mahaska County, IA in 2023 is skewed towards men, with 786 male students and 750 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Mahaska County, IA are White (194 and 64.2%), Hispanic or Latino (42 and 13.9%), Black or African American (33 and 10.9%), and Unknown (24 and 7.95%).

The largest universities in Mahaska County, IA by number of degrees awarded are William Penn University (321 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Mahaska County, IA are Elementary Education & Teaching (62 and 19.3%), General Business Administration & Management (46 and 14.3%), and Sport & Fitness Management (43 and 13.4%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $28,750.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Mahaska County, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 57%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 46.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 1,536 (51.2% men and 48.8% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 1,536 students enrolled in Mahaska County, IA, 51.2% men and 48.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 868 records, of which 59% were women and 41% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Elementary Education & Teaching
62 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
46 degrees awarded
General Psychology
21 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Mahaska County, IA was Elementary Education & Teaching with 62 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

William Penn University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

321 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was William Penn University with 321 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 144 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Mahaska County, IA, which is 0.814 times less than the 177 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 194 degrees mean that there were 4.62 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 42 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

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($28,750) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,390) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Mahaska County, IA was $157,800 in 2024, which is 0.474 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $140,900 to $157,800, a 12% increase. The homeownership rate in Mahaska County, IA is 68%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Mahaska County, IA have an average commute time of 18 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Mahaska County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 10.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Mahaska County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.377%.

Housing

Property

$157,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$8,064

$5,942

Median Property Taxes

±$416

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

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

Rent vs Own

68%

Homeownership

2024

59.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 68% of the housing units in Mahaska County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.8%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$70,940

Median Household Income

± $4,815

8.74k

Number of Households

± 528

In 2024, the median household income of the 8.74k households in Mahaska County, IA grew to $70,940 from the previous year's value of $69,019.

The following chart displays the households in Mahaska 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 Mahaska County, IA is from Iowa.

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.442

2022 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2023, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.304% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.476. 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 2024

Drove Alone (80.3%)
Carpooled (8.69%)
Worked At Home (7.5%)

In 2024, 80.3% of workers in Mahaska County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.69%) and those who worked at home (7.5%).

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 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Mahaska County, IA have a shorter commute time (18 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.14% of the workforce in Mahaska County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Mahaska 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 Mahaska County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Mahaska County, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 10.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Mahaska County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.377%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

12.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Mahaska County, IA (2.68k out of 21.2k 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 Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Mahaska County, IA is White, followed by Two Or More 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 2025, 14.3% of the children was living in poverty in Mahaska County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, 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 268 in Mahaska County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 52.3 per 100,000 population.

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

Health

95.3% of the population of Mahaska County, IA has health coverage, with 47.6% on employee plans, 19.7% on Medicaid, 15.1% on Medicare, 12.2% on non-group plans, and 0.719% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Mahaska County, IA see 1,374 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,374 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1995 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 706 patients per year.

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

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,374 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Mahaska County, IA

Primary care physicians in Mahaska County, IA see an average of 1,374 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,374 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.6% under 18 years, 20% between 18 and 34 years, 36.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.1% over 64 years.

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

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

Uninsured People

4.7%

Uninsured

47.6%

Employer Coverage

19.7%

Medicaid

15.1%

Medicare

12.2%

Non-Group

0.719%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Mahaska County, IA grew by 0.505% from 4.68% to 4.7%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2024, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 41.9 in Mahaska County, IA.

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

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 42.4% in Mahaska County, IA.

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