Woodward: Demographics & People
Woodward's population stands at 977 people, in 364 households. Population shrank 2.5% from 1,002 (2022) to 977 (2024). Median age 40.3 years. (4.2y older than Dallas County; 3.0y older than Iowa). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 95% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.07). 57% of households are family-led. County is losing 53 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 43% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 58 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 2.5% from 1,002 (2022) to 977 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~952 (extrapolated at -1.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 920.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 26,715 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -2.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,002 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 977 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 977 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 920 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.3y is 1.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.3 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 977 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 206 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 176.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 443.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 152 |
| Population under 18 | 206 |
| Median age | 40.3 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 977 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.07 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 953 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 19 |
| Asian residents | 5 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 11 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 6.9% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.5% |
| Asian population | 0.4% (vs Iowa 1.9%) |
| Black population | 1.8% (vs Iowa 3.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.7% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 95.4% (vs Iowa 81.2%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 805 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 161 |
| Share born in this state | 82.4% |
| Share born in another state | 17.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 16.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 16 |
| From Europe | 2 |
| From Africa | 7 |
Households & Family Composition
364 households. Averaging 2.4 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 57% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 227 families, 31% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 243 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 227 |
| Married couples with children | 70 |
| Single-parent households | 2 |
| Average household size | 2.44 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 19.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 7 |
| Family households | 206 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
| Households that are families | 56.6% (vs Iowa 57.4%) |
| Total households | 364 households (vs Iowa 10,135) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 53 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 25,303 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 25,356 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -53 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 102 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 11.0% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 165 residents live in group quarters (16.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 165 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 015 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Boone |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 13.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19015 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Boone County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 837 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19015 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Boone County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 71.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 66.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 59.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 26,234 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 977, declining, established, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 977 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Town Summary · County | Boone County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade