| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmetsburg | 1 | 3,680 | 3,694 | -0.11% | 970 | 4 | City |
| Graettinger | 2 | 814 | 832 | -0.49% | 1,080 | 1 | City |
| West Bend | 3 | 770 | 789 | -0.65% | 878 | 1 | City |
| Ruthven | 4 | 710 | 728 | -0.56% | 1,740 | 0 | City |
| Mallard | 5 | 257 | 264 | -0.77% | 656 | 0 | City |
| Ayrshire | 6 | 132 | 138 | -0.75% | 611 | 0 | City |
| Cylinder | 7 | 84 | 87 | -1.18% | 894 | 0 | City |
| Curlew | 8 | 37 | 39 | -2.63% | 49 | 1 | City |
Emmetsburg is the largest city in Palo Alto County, with a population of 3,680.
Curlew is the smallest city in Palo Alto County, with a population of 37.
There are 8 cities in Palo Alto County, Iowa.