Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2024 Population

119,918

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

41.3

0.959% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

10.1%

4.32% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$69,231

5.42% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$151,600

8.29% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

53,790

0.534% 1-year decline

About

12.2% of the households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, 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.

95.5% of the residents in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are Buena Vista University (788 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was $151,600, and the homeownership rate was 76.1%.

Most people in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18 minutes. The average car ownership in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was 2 cars per household.

Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA borders Sioux, Clay, Dickinson, O'Brien, Lyon, Emmet, Palo Alto & Osceola Counties PUMA, IA, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Kossuth, Hancock, Winnebago, Mitchell & Worth Counties PUMA, IA, Webster, Hardin, Hamilton, Butler, Wright, Grundy, Franklin & Humboldt Counties PUMA, IA, Story & Boone Counties PUMA, IA, Dallas, Madison Counties PUMA, IA, Woodbury & Plymouth Counties--Sioux City PUMA, IA, Southwest Iowa--Council Bluffs City PUMA, IA, and Northeast Nebraska PUMA, NE.

United States Iowa Nebraska

Population & Diversity

Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA is home to a population of 120k people, from which 95.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.4% of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA residents were born outside of the country (8.88k people).

In 2024, there were 17.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (96.5k people) in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.58k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 4.91k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary language in households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are Spanish (10,409 households), Thai, Lao, or Other Tai-Kadai Languages (721 households), and Other Languages of Asia (678 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

59,261

Women

49.4%

60,720

Men

50.6%

The resident population of United States in 2024 was 119,981 inhabitants, with 50.6% men, and 49.4% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

95.5%

2024 Citizenship

95.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 95.5% of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was 95.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
96.5k ± 263
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
5.58k ± 785
Other (Hispanic)
4.91k ± 817

12%

Hispanic Population

14.4k people

12% of the people in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are hispanic (14.4k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
3,429 ± 1,417 people
Guatemala
927 ± 745 people
Myanmar
611 ± 605 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was Mexico, the natal country of 3,429 Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA residents, followed by Guatemala with 927 and Myanmar with 611.

Foreign-Born Population

7.4%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

8.88k people

7.26%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

8.73k people

As of 2024, 7.4% of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA residents (8.88k 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 Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was 7.26%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
10,409 households (9.22%)
Thai, Lao, or Other Tai-Kadai Languages
721 households (0.639%)
Other Languages of Asia
678 households (0.601%)

12.2% of the households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 22.3%. 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.

In 2024, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was Spanish. 9.22% of the households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,227 ± 204
Gulf War (2001-)
1,206 ± 202
Gulf War (1990s)
846 ± 200

Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.85 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA.

Health

94.7% of the population of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 18.6% on Medicaid, 15.9% on Medicare, 14.4% on non-group plans, and 1.17% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Iowa see 1,385 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,385 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1411 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 466 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,385 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Iowa

Primary care physicians in Iowa see an average of 1,385 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,385 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Iowa 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, 17.8% between 18 and 34 years, 36.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.5% were men and 49.5% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.34%

Uninsured

44.6%

Employer Coverage

18.6%

Medicaid

15.9%

Medicare

14.4%

Non-Group

1.17%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA grew by 2.73% from 5.19% to 5.34%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA employs 53.8k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA were Animal slaughtering & processing (4,271 people), Elementary & secondary schools (4,176 people), and Construction (3,508 people), and the highest paying industries were Software publishers ($139,715), Drugs, sundries, & chemical & allied products merchant wholesalers ($126,090), and Miscellaneous manufacturing, n.e.c. ($115,322).

Males in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,331. The income inequality in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.396, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

25,547

Women

47.5%

28,243

Men

52.5%

The workforce of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA in 2024 was 53,790 people, with 47.5% woman, and 52.5% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

53.8k

2024 Value

−0.534%

1 Year decline

± −0.534%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA declined at a rate of −0.534%, from 54.1k employees to 53.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (1,975 people), Laborers & freight, stock, & material movers, hand (1,648 people), and Cashiers (1,603 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, 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

53.8k

2024 Value

−0.534%

1 Year decline

± −0.534%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA declined at a rate of −0.534%, from 54.1k employees to 53.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, are Animal slaughtering & processing (4,271 people), Elementary & secondary schools (4,176 people), and Construction (3,508 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, though some of these residents may live in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,615

Median earning men ± $1,185

$36,849

Median earning women ± $677

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($81,250), Public Administration ($72,336), and Information ($64,293).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($54,167), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,792), and Construction ($45,000).

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.

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 Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, 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 2024, universities in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA awarded 788 degrees. The student population of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 609 male students and 1,281 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are White (650 and 82.6%), Hispanic or Latino (74 and 9.4%), Black or African American (22 and 2.8%), and Unknown (17 and 2.16%).

The largest universities in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA by number of degrees awarded are Buena Vista University (788 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA are Elementary Education & Teaching (92 and 11.7%), Curriculum & Instruction (80 and 10.2%), and School Counseling & Guidance Services (60 and 7.61%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $41,798.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 77.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 1,890 (32.2% men and 67.8% 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 2024 there were 1,890 students enrolled in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, 32.2% men and 67.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,518 records, of which 68.6% were women and 31.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Elementary Education & Teaching
92 degrees awarded
General Human Services
58 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
51 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was Elementary Education & Teaching with 92 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Buena Vista University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

788 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Buena Vista University with 788 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 196 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA, which is 0.331 times less than the 592 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 650 degrees mean that there were 8.78 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 74 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 ($41,798) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,132) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2024, 1.31% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.38% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA in 2024 were High School or Equivalent (33.7k), Some college (18.7k), and Secondary Education (13.4k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was $151,600 in 2024, which is 0.456 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $140,000 to $151,600, a 8.29% increase. The homeownership rate in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA is 76.1%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA have an average commute time of 18 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$151,600

Median Property Value 2024

±$3,685

$37,974

Median Property Taxes

±$1,027

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 Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

76.1%

Homeownership

2024

65.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 76.1% of the housing units in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 76.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, 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.

$69,231

Median Household Income

± $1,992

49.9k

Number of Households

± 1,279

In 2024, the median household income of the 49.9k households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA grew to $69,231 from the previous year's value of $65,672.

The following chart displays the households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, 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

0.396

2024 Wage GINI in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA

0.412

2023 Wage GINI in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA

In 2024, the income inequality in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was 0.396 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 3.77% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (78.7%)
Carpooled (10.2%)
Worked At Home (6.88%)

In 2024, 78.7% of workers in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.2%) and those who worked at home (6.88%).

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 Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA have a shorter commute time (18 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.93% of the workforce in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA (11.8k out of 117k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 75+ and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Northwest Central Iowa--Storm Lake, Denison & Cherokee Region PUMA, IA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

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.