Norwalk: Demographics & People
Norwalk is home to 14,183 people, in 5,610 households. Population grew 4.2% from 13,610 (2022) to 14,183 (2024). Median age 37.8 years. (1.0y younger than Warren County; 0.5y older than Iowa). Children under 18 are 27% of the population. Population is 93% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.03). 69% of households are family-led. County is losing 235 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 39% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 31% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 69 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population grew 4.2% from 13,610 (2022) to 14,183 (2024) — about 7.0× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~14,786 (extrapolated at 2.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 15,615.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 492,401 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 4.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 13,610 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 14,183 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 14,183 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 15,615 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.8y is 1.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 27% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.8 years (vs Iowa 37.3y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 26.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 14,183 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 3,770 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 2,759.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 5,652.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 2,002 |
| Population under 18 | 3,770 |
| Median age | 37.8 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 14,183 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.03 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 13,101 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 8 |
| Asian residents | 23 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 201 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 3.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 98.3% |
| Asian population | 1.2% (vs Iowa 1.9%) |
| Black population | 0.1% (vs Iowa 3.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.0% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 92.6% (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). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 11,363 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 2,561 |
| Share born in this state | 80.1% |
| Share born in another state | 19.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 18.1% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 91 |
| From Europe | 40 |
| From Africa | 26 |
Households & Family Composition
5,610 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 69% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 3,655 families, 37% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 3,740 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 3,655 |
| Married couples with children | 1,342 |
| Single-parent households | 233 |
| Average household size | 2.55 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 184 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 11 |
| Family households | 3,870 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
| Households that are families | 69.0% (vs Iowa 57.4%) |
| Total households | 5,610 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. 16.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 235 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 16.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 465,360 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 465,595 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -235 |
| 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 | 352 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 2.7% |
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. 144 residents live in group quarters (1.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 144 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19153 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 153 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Polk |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 16.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19153 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Polk County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 18,982 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19153 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Polk County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 77.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 70.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 58.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 490,161 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 5 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 7 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 26.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 14,183, growing, family-oriented, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 14,183 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Town Summary · County | Polk County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade