Ottumwa Population

1860–2026

25,320

2026 projection

0.8% since 2020 (decrease)

05K10K15K20K25K30K35K186018801900192019401960198020002020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Ottumwa. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
202625,320+10.00%
202525,319-1500.59%
202425,469+570.22%
202325,412+1940.77%
202225,218-1890.74%
202125,407-1220.48%
202025,529-400.16%
201925,569+1620.64%
201825,407+1260.50%
201725,281-890.35%

Showing 10 of 32 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Ottumwa has a population change lower than Wapello County, Iowa, and the U.S.

  • United States+3.1%
  • Iowa+1.5%
  • Wapello County−0.4%
  • Ottumwa−0.6%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Ottumwa Demographics

36.7median age

Median age

Female38.3 yrs
Male34.8 yrs

Adults

19,161
4,107 seniors (65+) · 21% of adults15,054 other adults

Sex

Female 49.3% · 12,545Male 50.7% · 12,885

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 22685+ years, female: 54780–84 years, male: 15680–84 years, female: 23375–79 years, male: 27575–79 years, female: 31270–74 years, male: 51370–74 years, female: 54965–69 years, male: 53865–69 years, female: 75860–64 years, male: 98360–64 years, female: 75055–59 years, male: 68655–59 years, female: 62850–54 years, male: 62650–54 years, female: 86145–49 years, male: 96745–49 years, female: 74340–44 years, male: 67140–44 years, female: 65335–39 years, male: 76135–39 years, female: 73130–34 years, male: 94730–34 years, female: 75425–29 years, male: 98925–29 years, female: 87920–24 years, male: 75820–24 years, female: 89915–19 years, male: 1,13315–19 years, female: 87610–14 years, male: 82610–14 years, female: 1,0335–9 years, male: 1,0435–9 years, female: 4870–4 years, male: 7870–4 years, female: 85285+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–45005001K1K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 254 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Ottumwa Income

$61,103median household income

Median household income

$61,103

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$44,349

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

17.2%

About 1 in 6 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Ottumwa Marital Status

43% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married43%42%43%
Never married37%43%31%
Divorced12%10%14%
Widowed7%3%10%
Separated1%1%1%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources