5th most populous of 99
With 132,348 residents in 2024, Black Hawk County ranks 5th by population among Iowa's 99 counties and is home to 4.1% of the state's residents.
Black Hawk County is home to 132,348 people (2024 estimate) on 566 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
132,348
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
131,142
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+0.9%
2020–2024
Land area
566 mi²
1,465 km²
Population density
233.9 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,615
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,319
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+296
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+875
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$56,987
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$10.0 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$66,417
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
14.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
30.3%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
6.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$188,900
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.8%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024132,348▲ 3%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 132,348 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 131,090 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 128,019 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +3.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,098 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −223 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 12.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Iowa | 5th of 99 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $56,987 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $10.0 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $66,417 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 30.3% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $188,900 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $989/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 35.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 54,563 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Black Hawk County in context
Comparable indicators for Black Hawk County, Iowa and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Iowa | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +0.9% | +1.6% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 12.2 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 6.6 | 5.9 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 233.9 | 58.0 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $56,987 | $65,225 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $66,417 | $75,059 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 11.1% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 30.3% | 31.4% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 6.5% | 5.9% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $188,900 | $208,000 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $989/month | $972/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 35.7 years | 38.6 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.2% | 71.7% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Waterloo
67,477 residents
Cedar Falls
41,000 residents
Did you know? Black Hawk County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 128,019 in 2000 to 132,348 in 2024, a change of +3.4%, compared with +10.7% for Iowa as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,615 births and 1,319 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 296.
Peak population in 2015
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 133,764 in 2015. The 2024 figure is 1,416 lower.
5th in density
Black Hawk County has about 233.9 residents per square mile of land, ranking 5th of 99 counties; Iowa averages 58.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $66,417 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 75th of 99 Iowa counties; the state median is $75,059.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $10.0 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 6th largest among 99 Iowa counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP fell 2.6% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS