Rock Rapids, IA Demographics

A map of Rock Rapids's Population by Race

Rock Rapids, Iowa has an estimated population of 2,661, a slight increase from the 2,611 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.7% White, 8.4% Hispanic, 2.5% Multiracial, 0.6% Native American/Other, 0.5% Black, and 0.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rock Rapids, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rock Rapids has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rock Rapids, that probability was 12.6% in 2020 and 22.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rock Rapids is ranked the 137th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rock Rapids was ranked the 136th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rock Rapids's White Population

2,333 residents of Rock Rapids, or 87.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rock Rapids is higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Rock Rapids ranks 469th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's White population has declined by an estimated 4.3%. White residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has decreased from 93.4% to 87.7%.

Rock Rapids is more White than neighboring Lester (85.3% White). Rock Rapids is less White than neighboring Steen (100% White), Alvord (94.2% White), Doon (99.4% White), and Ellsworth (90% White).

Rock Rapids's Black Population

12 residents of Rock Rapids, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rock Rapids is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Rock Rapids ranks 380th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's Black population has declined by an estimated 7.7%. Black residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Rock Rapids is more Black than neighboring Steen (0% Black), Doon (0% Black), and Lester (0% Black). Rock Rapids is less Black than neighboring Alvord (1.2% Black).

Rock Rapids's Asian Population

9 residents of Rock Rapids, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rock Rapids is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Rock Rapids ranks 400th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's Asian population has grown by an estimated 12.5%. Asian residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Rock Rapids is more Asian than neighboring Steen (0% Asian), Doon (0% Asian), and Ellsworth (0% Asian). Rock Rapids is less Asian than neighboring Alvord (2.3% Asian), and Lester (1.2% Asian).

Rock Rapids's Hispanic Population

224 residents of Rock Rapids, or 8.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rock Rapids is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Rock Rapids ranks 359th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 146.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has increased from 3.5% to 8.4%.

Rock Rapids is more Hispanic than neighboring Steen (0% Hispanic), Alvord (0% Hispanic), Doon (0.2% Hispanic), and Ellsworth (5.4% Hispanic). Rock Rapids is less Hispanic than neighboring Lester (12.1% Hispanic).

Rock Rapids's Native American/Other Population

17 residents of Rock Rapids, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rock Rapids is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Rock Rapids ranks 510th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 142.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Rock Rapids is more Native American/Other than neighboring Steen (0% Native American/Other), Alvord (0% Native American/Other), Doon (0% Native American/Other), Lester (0% Native American/Other), and Ellsworth (0% Native American/Other).

Rock Rapids's Multiracial Population

66 residents of Rock Rapids, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rock Rapids is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Rock Rapids ranks 689th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rock Rapids's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 22.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Rock Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.5%.

Rock Rapids is more Multiracial than neighboring Steen (0% Multiracial), Alvord (2.3% Multiracial), Doon (0.4% Multiracial), and Lester (1.5% Multiracial). Rock Rapids is less Multiracial than neighboring Ellsworth (4.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.