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Wapello, IA
City in Louisa County, Iowa.
Population
1,765
Land area
1.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,359
ZIP codes
0
Wapello and its ZIP codes
Wapello at a glance
- Wapello is about 24 times as dense as Iowa as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 187th among 1,017 cities and towns in Iowa.
- The median household income is $72,708, 3% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $143,900 (31% below Iowa) and median rent is $711 a month.
Local data for Wapello, IA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wapello, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$72,708
Poverty rate
6.4%
Median home value
$143,900
Median rent
$711/mo
Homeownership
68.3%
Bachelor's or higher
15.6%
Median age
49.6
Average commute
24.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (368), Irish Americans (214), Mexican Americans (158).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Louisa County. PPP loans are for Wapello.
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$52,455
3,697 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,311
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$67.4M
FY 2026, $6,223 per person
How people get to work
Wapello, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.4%
- Carpooled9.9%
- Public transit0.7%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.8%
- Worked from home5.2%
Average one-way commute: 24.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wapello, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: strong wind
Storm events since 1996
417
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
97
1.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 15°F
36.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wapello, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
39.1%
U.S. 33.3% +5.8 pts
Diabetes
12.1%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
15.1%
U.S. 12.8% +2.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.5%
U.S. 11.1% -2.6 pts
Cities near Wapello
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| GrandviewCity | 6.8 mi | 0.2 |
| Morning SunCity | 6.8 mi | 0.8 |
| OakvilleCity | 9.5 mi | 0.4 |
| New Boston, ILCity | 9.8 mi | 0.9 |
| LettsCity | 11 mi | 0.6 |
| FredoniaCity | 11 mi | 0.2 |
| Columbus CityCity | 11 mi | 0.2 |
| Columbus JunctionCity | 11 mi | 2.1 |
| MediapolisCity | 12 mi | 1.2 |
| FruitlandCity | 12 mi | 1.8 |
| YarmouthCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1.7 |
| WinfieldCity | 13 mi | 1 |
| Mount UnionCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 0.2 |
| Eliza, ILCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 0.1 |
| Keithsburg, ILCity | 14 mi | 2.6 |
| SperryCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 2.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wapello, IA in?
- Wapello is in Louisa County, Iowa.
- What is the population of Wapello, IA?
- About 1,765 people live in Wapello, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wapello?
- Nearby places include Grandview (6.8 mi), Morning Sun (6.8 mi), Oakville (9.5 mi), New Boston, IL (9.8 mi), Letts (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023