Dows: Demographics & People
Census counts 562 people in Dows, in 198 households. Population grew 3.3% from 544 (2022) to 562 (2024). Median age 37.3 years. (2.1y younger than Wright County). Children under 18 are 34% of the population. Population is 93% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.13). 72% of households are family-led. County is losing 64 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.8 people per household (vs Iowa avg 2.4).
- 28% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Iowa 43%).
- 94 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Iowa 70).
Population & Trend
Population grew 3.3% from 544 (2022) to 562 (2024) — about 5.5× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~580 (extrapolated at 1.7%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 606.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 10,019 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 3.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 544 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 562 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 562 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Population Estimate | 606 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 37.3y is 1.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 34% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 37.3 years (at Iowa median) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 34.2% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 562 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 192 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 81.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 208.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 81 |
| Population under 18 | 192 |
| Median age | 37.3 years (at Iowa median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 562 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.13 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 513 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 39 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 13.1% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 92.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.0% (vs Iowa 5.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 93.1% (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 (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.0% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 489 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 52 |
| Share born in this state | 87.0% |
| Share born in another state | 13.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 9.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.0% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 3 |
Households & Family Composition
198 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 72% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 124 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 150 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 124 |
| Married couples with children | 34 |
| Single-parent households | 6 |
| Average household size | 2.64 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 3 |
| Family households | 143 households (vs Iowa 6,171) |
| Households that are families | 72.2% (vs Iowa 57.4%) |
| Total households | 198 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. 6.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 64 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 6.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 8,771 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 8,835 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -64 |
| 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 | 47 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | IA-04 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 19069 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 19 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 069 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Franklin |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 24.1% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 17.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 32.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 19069 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 383 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 19069 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 60.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 56.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 55.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 10,070 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 10 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 34.2% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 562, growing, family-oriented, upper-middle, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 562 people (vs Iowa 24,827) |
| Town Summary · County | Franklin County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade