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IAIowa rankings

Towns losing population in Iowa

Ranked by population loss between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. 47 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Clinton 1 Clinton −9.0% 2010 census 26,885 Map of Keokuk 2 Keokuk −8.2% 2010 census 10,780 Map of Oelwein 3 Oelwein −7.7% 2010 census 6,415
#TownChange 2010–20202010 census2020 census
1 Clinton Clinton24,322 people −9.0% 26,885 24,469
2 Map of Keokuk Keokuk9,662 people −8.2% 10,780 9,900
3 Map of Oelwein Oelwein5,834 people −7.7% 6,415 5,920
4 Estherville5,839 people −7.2% 6,360 5,904
5 Map of Fort Madison Fort Madison10,133 people −7.1% 11,051 10,270
6 Burlington23,728 people −6.6% 25,663 23,982
7 Decorah7,535 people −6.6% 8,127 7,587
8 Map of Vinton Vinton4,948 people −6.1% 5,257 4,938
9 Missouri Valley2,666 people −5.6% 2,838 2,678
10 Emmetsburg3,648 people −5.1% 3,904 3,706
11 Atlantic6,763 people −4.5% 7,112 6,792
12 Shenandoah4,892 people −4.4% 5,150 4,925
13 Harlan4,891 people −4.2% 5,106 4,893
14 Evansdale4,518 people −4.0% 4,751 4,561
15 Map of Creston Creston7,435 people −3.8% 7,834 7,536
16 Jefferson4,152 people −3.8% 4,345 4,182
17 Glenwood5,144 people −3.7% 5,269 5,073
18 Marengo2,725 people −3.7% 2,528 2,435
19 Clarinda5,353 people −3.6% 5,572 5,369
20 Charles City7,232 people −3.3% 7,652 7,396
21 Onawa Onawa2,839 people −3.1% 2,998 2,906
22 Webster City7,769 people −3.0% 8,070 7,825
23 Chariton4,242 people −3.0% 4,321 4,193
24 Hampton4,306 people −2.8% 4,461 4,337
25 Mason City Mason City27,050 people −2.6% 28,079 27,338
26 Red Oak5,510 people −2.5% 5,742 5,596
27 Iowa Falls5,038 people −2.5% 5,238 5,106
28 Eldora2,617 people −2.5% 2,732 2,663
29 Map of Story City Story City3,398 people −2.3% 3,431 3,352
30 Manchester5,191 people −2.2% 5,179 5,065
31 New Hampton New Hampton3,453 people −2.2% 3,571 3,494
32 Tipton3,106 people −2.2% 3,221 3,149
33 Map of Centerville Centerville5,372 people −2.1% 5,528 5,412
34 Map of Garner Garner3,049 people −2.0% 3,129 3,065
35 Waukon3,792 people −1.8% 3,897 3,827
36 Waterloo67,008 people −1.6% 68,406 67,314
37 Boone12,424 people −1.6% 12,661 12,460
38 Anamosa5,629 people −1.5% 5,533 5,450
39 Clarion2,770 people −1.4% 2,850 2,810
40 Map of Fort Dodge Fort Dodge24,827 people −1.3% 25,206 24,871
41 Map of Algona Algona5,377 people −1.3% 5,560 5,487
42 Clear Lake7,607 people −1.2% 7,777 7,687
43 Map of Albia Albia3,663 people −1.2% 3,766 3,721
44 Cherokee5,154 people −1.0% 5,253 5,199
45 Map of Fairfield Fairfield9,456 people −0.5% 9,464 9,416
46 Jesup2,561 people −0.5% 2,520 2,508
47 Maquoketa6,075 people −0.2% 6,141 6,128

How this ranking works

We rank every town by population loss between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. Only towns that shrank are listed. The town with the lowest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for Iowa as a whole is +4.7%.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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