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Wapello County, IA
6 cities and towns and 6 ZIP codes in Wapello County, Iowa.
Population
35,362
Land area
432sq mi
People per sq mi
82
ZIP codes
6
Cities and towns in Wapello County
Wapello County at a glance
- Wapello County is 42% denser than Iowa as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $64,766 a year, 14% less than the Iowa figure of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $125,100 (40% below Iowa) and median rent is $920 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Ottumwa (25,430), Eldon (726) and Agency (435).
Local data for Wapello County, IA
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools20
- Colleges1
- Libraries5
- Banks8
- Post Offices4
- Parks22
- Grocery Stores13
- Restaurants107
- Affordable Housing2
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care2
- Dialysis Centers2
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals1
- Community Health Centers9
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment5
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Superfund Sites1
- Toxic Release Facilities7
- Historic Places25
Housing and community stats
Wapello County, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$64,766
Poverty rate
15.8%
Median home value
$125,100
Prices -1.4% in a year
Median rent
$920/mo
Homeownership
68.4%
Bachelor's or higher
19.6%
Median age
39.2
Average commute
20.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (6,240), Irish Americans (3,505), Mexican Americans (2,603).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
4.6%
Aug 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$53,838
15,248 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$48,623
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$215M
FY 2026, $6,060 per person
PPP loans
$55.18M
1,125 loans, 7,193 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$139K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Wapello County, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.5%
- Carpooled12.0%
- Public transit0.8%
- Walked1.5%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.6%
- Worked from home5.5%
Average one-way commute: 20.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wapello County, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: drought
Storm events since 1996
662
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
23
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 14°F
37.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone25 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wapello County, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
41.7%
U.S. 33.3% +8.4 pts
Diabetes
13.5%
U.S. 12.1% +1.4 pts
Smoking
18.0%
U.S. 12.8% +5.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.0%
U.S. 11.1% -1.1 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Wapello County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Wapello County, IA?
- Ottumwa is the largest city or town in Wapello County, with about 25,430 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Wapello County?
- Wapello County includes 6 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 52501, 52530, 52548, 52553, 52554.
- What is the population of Wapello County, IA?
- About 35,362 people live in Wapello County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Wapello County?
- Wapello County borders Mahaska County, Jefferson County, Appanoose County, Keokuk County, Davis County, Monroe County, Van Buren County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023