Wapello County Demographics

A map of Wapello County's Population by Race

Wapello County, Iowa has an estimated population of 35,362, a less than 1% change from the 35,437 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.6% White, 13.4% Hispanic, 3.7% Multiracial, 3.0% Black, 2.6% Native American/Other, and 1.6% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wapello County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wapello has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Wapello County, that probability was 38.9% in 2020 and 40.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wapello County is ranked the 20th most populous county in Iowa, out of 99 counties. Wapello County was ranked the 20th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Wapello County's White Population

26,750 residents of Wapello County, or 75.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wapello County is lower than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Wapello County ranks 92nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of Wapello County's population has decreased from 77.0% to 75.6%.

Wapello County is less White than neighboring Davis County (93.8% White), Mahaska County (91.6% White), Keokuk County (94.6% White), Monroe County (94.8% White), and Jefferson County (82.4% White).

Wapello County's Black Population

1,054 residents of Wapello County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wapello County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Wapello County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's Black population has declined by an estimated 27.0%. Black residents' share of Wapello County's population has decreased from 4.1% to 3.0%.

Wapello County is more Black than neighboring Davis County (0% Black), Mahaska County (1.1% Black), Keokuk County (0.3% Black), Monroe County (1.2% Black), and Jefferson County (2.4% Black).

Wapello County's Asian Population

579 residents of Wapello County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wapello County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Wapello County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 6.9%. Asian residents' share of Wapello County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Wapello County is more Asian than neighboring Davis County (0% Asian), Mahaska County (1% Asian), Keokuk County (0.2% Asian), and Monroe County (0.5% Asian). Wapello County is less Asian than neighboring Jefferson County (8.2% Asian).

Wapello County's Hispanic Population

4,748 residents of Wapello County, or 13.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wapello County is higher than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Wapello County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Wapello County's population has increased from 12.2% to 13.4%.

Wapello County is more Hispanic than neighboring Davis County (2.4% Hispanic), Mahaska County (2.5% Hispanic), Keokuk County (2.3% Hispanic), Monroe County (2.1% Hispanic), and Jefferson County (4.1% Hispanic).

Wapello County's Native American/Other Population

918 residents of Wapello County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wapello County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Wapello County ranks 5th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 36.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wapello County's population has increased from 1.9% to 2.6%.

Wapello County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Davis County (1.4% Native American/Other), Mahaska County (0.4% Native American/Other), Keokuk County (0.3% Native American/Other), Monroe County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Jefferson County (0.4% Native American/Other).

Wapello County's Multiracial Population

1,313 residents of Wapello County, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wapello County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Wapello County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Wapello County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 22.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Wapello County's population has increased from 3.0% to 3.7%.

Wapello County is more Multiracial than neighboring Davis County (2.4% Multiracial), Mahaska County (3.4% Multiracial), Keokuk County (2.3% Multiracial), Monroe County (1.1% Multiracial), and Jefferson County (2.5% 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.