How many people live in Mahaska County, IA?
Updated Apr. 6, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024, there were about 22,000 people living in Mahaska County, IA. That makes Mahaska County the 28th-most populous county in Iowa. It is home to 0.68% of people living in the state.
22K
population of Mahaska County, IA (2024)
0.68%
County share of the Iowa population (2024)
About 22,000 people lived in Mahaska County, IA in 2024.
Population estimates, 2000–2024
What are Mahaska County, IA’s age demographics?
About 4,400 Mahaska County residents are aged 65 and older in 2024. That represents 20% of its population. For comparison, the age group represents 18.9% of Iowa’s population and 18% in the US overall.
Another 5,100 Mahaska County residents, or 23% of the population, were children under 18. For comparison, the age group represents 22.5% of Iowa’s population and 21.6% in the US overall.
A lower share of Mahaska County, IA's population is aged 25–44 than the US as a whole.
Population estimates by age group, (2024)
What are Mahaska County, IA’s racial and ethnic demographics?
Non-Hispanic white residents make up 91.4% of the Mahaska County population, higher than the national share of 57.5%.
In contrast, Mahaska County’s Hispanic population accounts for 2.7%, below the 20% nationwide, and the non-Hispanic Black or African American population makes up 2% of the county, compared with 12.6% nationally.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
Mahaska County, IA has a higher share of a non-Hispanic white population than Iowa as a whole.
Population estimates by race and ethnicity, (2024)
The largest city or town in Mahaska County, IA is Oskaloosa with about 11,600 residents in 2024.
Cities and towns in Mahaska County, IA ranked by population
Population (2024), includes only portions within county
| City or town | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oskaloosa | 11,575 |
| 2. | New Sharon | 1,249 |
| 3. | Fremont | 688 |
| 4. | University Park | 476 |
| 5. | Beacon | 434 |
| 6. | Eddyville (pt.) | 234 |
| 7. | Rose Hill | 156 |
| 8. | Leighton | 153 |
| 9. | Barnes City (pt.) | 134 |
| 10. | Keomah Village | 107 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
