Ottumwa, IA

Census Place

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2021 Population

25,379

3.57% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

37.7

1.05% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

16%

11.9% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$48,198

13.6% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$77,000

1.58% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

11,861

1.26% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Ottumwa, IA had a population of 25.4k people with a median age of 37.7 and a median household income of $48,198. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Ottumwa, IA grew from 24,505 to 25,379, a 3.57% increase and its median household income grew from $42,418 to $48,198, a 13.6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Ottumwa, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (74.8%), White (Hispanic) (7.32%), Other (Hispanic) (4.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.48%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%).

None of the households in Ottumwa, 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.

94.9% of the residents in Ottumwa, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Ottumwa, IA are Indian Hills Community College (755 degrees awarded in 2021) and Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa (14 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Ottumwa, IA was $77,000, and the homeownership rate was 61.2%.

Most people in Ottumwa, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Ottumwa, IA was 2 cars per household.

United States Iowa Wapello County, IA Ottumwa, IA Wapello, Mahaska, Washington, Jefferson, Keokuk, Davis & Van Buren Counties PUMA, IA

Population & Diversity

Ottumwa, IA is home to a population of 25.4k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.7% of Ottumwa, IA residents were born outside of the country (2.46k people).

In 2021, there were 10.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (19k people) in Ottumwa, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.86k White (Hispanic) and 1.17k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.9%

2021 Citizenship

93.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.9% of Ottumwa, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Ottumwa, IA was 93.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ottumwa, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
19k ± 226
White (Hispanic)
1.86k ± 373
Other (Hispanic)
1.17k ± 304

14.9%

Hispanic Population

3.78k people

14.9% of the people in Ottumwa, IA are hispanic (3.78k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Ottumwa, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,634 ± 4,977 people
India
10,950 ± 2,565 people
Vietnam
8,674 ± 2,283 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,634 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,950 and Vietnam with 8,674.

Foreign-Born Population

9.7%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

2.46k people

10.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.63k people

As of 2021, 9.7% of Ottumwa, IA residents (2.46k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ottumwa, IA was 10.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
416 ± 102
Gulf War (2001-)
221 ± 113
Gulf War (1990s)
191 ± 128

Ottumwa, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.88 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Ottumwa, IA employs 11.9k people. The largest industries in Ottumwa, IA are Manufacturing (3,164 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,908 people), and Retail Trade (1,530 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,781), Public Administration ($56,635), and Finance & Insurance ($49,178).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

11.9k

2021 Value

± 778

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 9.07%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ottumwa, IA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 11.7k employees to 11.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ottumwa, IA, are Production Occupations (2,073 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,182 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (918 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ottumwa, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

11.9k

2021 Value

± 778

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 9.07%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Ottumwa, IA grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 11.7k employees to 11.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ottumwa, IA, are Manufacturing (3,164 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,908 people), and Retail Trade (1,530 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ottumwa, IA, though some of these residents may live in Ottumwa, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,808

Median earning men ± $3,934

$30,820

Median earning women ± $2,516

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($77,717), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,444), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($57,679).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($49,491), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,879), and Wholesale Trade ($41,429).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

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 Ottumwa, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.16%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Ottumwa, IA awarded 769 degrees. The student population of Ottumwa, IA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 1,581 male students and 1,814 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Ottumwa, IA are White (568 and 76.1%), followed by Black or African American (56 and 7.51%), Hispanic or Latino (56 and 7.51%), and Two or More Races (32 and 4.29%).

The largest universities in Ottumwa, IA by number of degrees awarded are Indian Hills Community College (755 and 98.2%) and Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa (14 and 1.82%).

The most popular majors in Ottumwa, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (234 and 30.4%), Welding Technology (57 and 7.41%), and Registered Nursing (38 and 4.94%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 3,395 students enrolled in Ottumwa, IA, 46.6% men and 53.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,581 records, of which 55.8% were women and 44.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Laser & Optical Technology
27 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
234 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
28 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Ottumwa, IA was Laser & Optical Technology with 27 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Indian Hills Community College
755 degrees awarded
Iowa School of Beauty-Ottumwa
14 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Indian Hills Community College with 755 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 363 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Ottumwa, IA, which is 0.894 times less than the 406 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 568 degrees mean that there were 10.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 56 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

Public, 2-year ($4,560) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) 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

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.63% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.621% of women were in the same situation.

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

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (742k), Some college (567k), and Bachelors Degree (459k).

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 Ottumwa, IA was $77,000 in 2021, which is 0.314 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $75,800 to $77,000, a 1.58% increase. The homeownership rate in Ottumwa, IA is 61.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Ottumwa, IA have an average commute time of 16.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ottumwa, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Ottumwa, IA is $48,198. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Ottumwa, IA was Census Tract 9603 with a value of $68,581, followed by Census Tract 9611 and Census Tract 9608, with respective values of $63,798 and $54,659.

Housing

Property

$77,000

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,631

$6,290

Median Property Taxes

±$488

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 Ottumwa, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

61.2%

Homeownership

2021

61.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 61.2% of the housing units in Ottumwa, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 61.4%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9603
Census Tract 9611
Census Tract 9608

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ottumwa, IA was Census Tract 9603 with a value of $68,581, followed by Census Tract 9611 and Census Tract 9608, with respective values of $63,798 and $54,659.

The following map shows all of the places in Ottumwa, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$48,198

Median Household Income

± $2,858

10.3k

Number of Households

± 732

In 2021, the median household income of the 10.3k households in Ottumwa, IA grew to $48,198 from the previous year's value of $42,418.

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

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2021, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.221% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (82.7%)
Carpooled (12.2%)
Worked At Home (2.32%)

In 2021, 82.7% of workers in Ottumwa, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.2%) and those who worked at home (2.32%).

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

16.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ottumwa, IA have a shorter commute time (16.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.15% of the workforce in Ottumwa, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ottumwa, IA (3.94k out of 24.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ottumwa, 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.

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.

Health

93.5% of the population of Ottumwa, IA has health coverage, with 45.3% on employee plans, 24% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 1.12% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wapello County, IA see 1943 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.86% increase from the previous year (1853 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1521 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 530 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Wapello County, IA.

1,943 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wapello County, IA

Primary care physicians in Wapello County, IA see an average of 1,943 patients per year. This represents a 4.86% increase from the previous year (1,853 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 22.2% between 18 and 34 years, 37.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.53%

Uninsured

45.3%

Employer Coverage

24%

Medicaid

11%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

1.12%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ottumwa, IA declined by 10.8% from 7.32% to 6.53%.

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