Worth County, IA

County

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2024 Population

7,350

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

44.1

0.451% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

8.17%

11.8% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$78,008

1.47% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$145,800

2.46% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

3,918

2.07% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Worth County, 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.

99.3% of the residents in Worth County, IA are U.S. citizens.

In 2024, the median property value in Worth County, IA was $145,800, and the homeownership rate was 83.2%.

Most people in Worth County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Worth County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Worth County, IA borders Cerro Gordo County, IA, Hancock County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Winnebago County, IA, Freeborn County, MN, and Mower County, MN.

United States Iowa Mason City, IA

Population & Diversity

Worth County, IA is home to a population of 7.35k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.884% of Worth County, IA residents were born outside of the country (65 people).

In 2024, there were 55.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (6.86k people) in Worth County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 124 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 108 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2024 Citizenship

99.5%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.3% of Worth County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Worth County, IA was 99.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Worth County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
6.86k ± 12
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
124 ± 58
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
108 ± 35

3.51%

Hispanic Population

258 people

3.51% of the people in Worth County, IA are hispanic (258 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Worth County, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
44,333 ± 5,134 people
India
11,889 ± 2,672 people
Guatemala
8,189 ± 2,219 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 44,333 Iowa residents, followed by India with 11,889 and Guatemala with 8,189.

Foreign-Born Population

0.884%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

65 people

0.637%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

47 people

As of 2024, 0.884% of Worth County, IA residents (65 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Worth County, IA was 0.637%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
232 ± 67
Gulf War (2001-)
73 ± 34
Gulf War (1990s)
71 ± 30

Worth County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.18 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Worth County, IA.

Health

93% of the population of Worth County, IA has health coverage, with 45.1% on employee plans, 14.7% on Medicaid, 17.3% on Medicare, 14.5% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Worth County, IA see 7,385 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (7,385 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 7319 patients per year, and mental health providers who see null patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 52.2% were men and 47.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

7,385 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Worth County, IA

Primary care physicians in Worth County, IA see an average of 7,385 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (7,385 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.5% under 18 years, 16.9% between 18 and 34 years, 39.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 22.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 52.2% were men and 47.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

6.96%

Uninsured

45.1%

Employer Coverage

14.7%

Medicaid

17.3%

Medicare

14.5%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Worth County, IA grew by 5.75% from 6.58% to 6.96%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 4.97 in Worth County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Worth County, IA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.9% in Worth County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Worth County, IA.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 5.4% in Worth County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Worth County, IA.

Economy

The economy of Worth County, IA employs 3.92k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Worth County, IA were Manufacturing (816 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (447 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (405 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($100,893), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($73,750), and Finance & Insurance ($71,250).

Employment

Occupations

3.92k

2024 Value

± 266

−2.07%

1 Year decline

± 9.6%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Worth County, IA declined at a rate of −2.07%, from 4k employees to 3.92k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Worth County, IA, are Management Occupations (656 people), Production Occupations (420 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (370 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Worth County, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

3.92k

2024 Value

± 266

−2.07%

1 Year decline

± 9.6%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Worth County, IA declined at a rate of −2.07%, from 4k employees to 3.92k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Worth County, IA, are Manufacturing (816 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (447 people), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (405 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Worth County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Worth County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$50,456

Median earning men ± $2,151

$41,758

Median earning women ± $2,686

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($77,125), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($60,625), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($60,167).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,806), Public Administration ($57,031), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,795).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

1.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.57M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 1.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

23
Other Services (except Public Administration)
22
Construction
9
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$31.6k
Manufacturing
$9.94k
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
$6.26k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

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 Worth County, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.789%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 55.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.789%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Worth County, IA was $145,800 in 2024, which is 0.438 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $142,300 to $145,800, a 2.46% increase. The homeownership rate in Worth County, IA is 83.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Worth County, IA have an average commute time of 21.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Worth County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 7.27% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Worth County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.03%.

Housing

Property

$145,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$9,974

$2,644

Median Property Taxes

±$207

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

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

Rent vs Own

83.2%

Homeownership

2024

66.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 83.2% of the housing units in Worth County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 81.2%.

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

Equity

Household Income

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

$78,008

Median Household Income

± $6,274

3.18k

Number of Households

± 226

In 2024, the median household income of the 3.18k households in Worth County, IA grew to $78,008 from the previous year's value of $76,875.

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

0.435

2024 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.441

2023 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2024, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.435 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.29% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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 2024

Drove Alone (75%)
Worked At Home (11.3%)
Carpooled (8.79%)

In 2024, 75% of workers in Worth County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (11.3%) and those who carpooled to work (8.79%).

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

21.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Worth County, IA have a shorter commute time (21.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.26% of the workforce in Worth County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 7.27% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Worth County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.03%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

8.17% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Worth County, IA (593 out of 7.26k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Males 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Worth County, IA is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 12.6% of the children was living in poverty in Worth County, IA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 92.7 in Worth County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 44.6% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.