St. Joseph: Demographics & People
St. Joseph's population stands at 73 people, in 40 households. Population shrank 6.4% from 78 (2022) to 73 (2024). Median age 73.5 years. (29.3y older than Kossuth County; 34.7y older than Iowa). Children under 18 are 14% of the population. Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 45% of households are family-led. County health: 38% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 1.8 people per household.
- 55% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 6.4% from 78 (2022) to 73 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~68 (extrapolated at -3.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 62.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 14,828 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -6.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 78 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 73 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 73 people |
| Population Estimate | 62 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 73.5y is 34.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 14% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 73.5 years (vs Iowa 38.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 13.7% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Population under 18 | 10 |
| Median age | 73.5 years (vs Iowa 38.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 73 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 78 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% |
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 (1)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 73 |
|---|---|
| Share born in this state | 100.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 459 |
Households & Family Composition
40 households. Averaging 1.8 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 45% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 17 families, 29% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 9 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 17 |
| Married couples with children | 5 |
| Average household size | 1.81 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 87 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 16 |
| Family households | 18 households |
| Households that are families | 45.0% |
| Total households | 40 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 52.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%.
| Lived in same home a year ago | 73.0% |
|---|---|
| Moved within the county (past year) | 52.1% |
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 14,142 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,149 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -7 |
| 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 | 18 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 26.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | IA-04 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19,109 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 109 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Kossuth |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 6.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 14.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19,109 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Kossuth County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 559 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19,109 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Kossuth County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 57.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 53.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 58.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 14,813 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 11 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 13.7% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 73, shrinking, retirement community, working-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 73 people |
| Town Summary · County | Kossuth County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade