County profile · Iowa
Delaware County, IA market data
How Delaware County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 17,674
- +1.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,369
- Median household income
- $74,989
- +17.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $177,900
- Jobs located here
- 6,550
- Highest market score
- 78
- Fast food and sandwich shops, #156 of 2,222 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Delaware County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Delaware County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Delaware County has an estimated 17,674 people and 7,369 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of Delaware County grew 1.3%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Delaware County is $74,989, 7% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 17.6%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Delaware County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 130, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (66).
Of the business types scored in Delaware County, fast food and sandwich shops (78), dentists and orthodontists (75) and hair salons (72) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For fast food and sandwich shops, that ranks #156 of 2,222 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for chiropractors (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (47% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Delaware County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Delaware County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 78 | #156 of 2,222 | 5 | 6.8 | $5.6M | 183 | 9 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 75 | #148 of 1,886 | 5 | 6.8 | $2.1M | 209 | 4 |
| Hair salons | 72 | #230 of 2,339 | 10 | 13.6 | $717K | 167 | 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 71 | #326 of 2,394 | 37 | 50.2 | $278K | 182 | 10 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 64 | #497 of 2,385 | 23 | 31.2 | $312K | 146 | 5 |
| Pet businesses | 62 | #572 of 2,200 | 6 | 8.1 | $1M | 115 | 4 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 61 | #667 of 2,210 | 11 | 14.9 | $1.3M | 146 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 60 | #760 of 2,405 | 64 | 86.9 | $437K | 118 | 28 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 60 | #814 of 2,402 | 17 | 23.1 | $2.6M | 77 | 3 |
| Real estate | 59 | #632 of 2,229 | 15 | 20.4 | Index only | 157 | 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 57 | #844 of 2,405 | 30 | 40.7 | $933K | 141 | 15 |
| Gas stations | 56 | #909 of 2,358 | 10 | 13.6 | $2.3M | 98 | 11 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 55 | #739 of 1,889 | 6 | 8.1 | $4.7M | 113 | 4 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 53 | #938 of 2,087 | 10 | 13.6 | $1.4M | 111 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 48 | #1,131 of 2,090 | 11 | 14.9 | $2.5M | 50 | 9 |
| Home repair trades | 47 | #1,188 of 2,057 | 9 | 12.2 | $2.2M | 90 | 12 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 47 | #1,212 of 2,176 | 13 | 17.6 | Index only | 144 | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | 45 | #1,065 of 1,769 | 8 | 10.9 | $896K | 102 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 45 | #1,311 of 2,088 | 11 | 14.9 | $567K | 86 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 44 | #1,255 of 2,063 | 9 | 12.2 | $3.1M | 84 | 4 |
| Convenience stores | 43 | #1,379 of 2,261 | 10 | 13.6 | $4.4M | 56 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 40 | #1,660 of 2,378 | 23 | 31.2 | $398K | 90 | 23 |
| Auto repair and car care | 37 | #1,783 of 2,401 | 42 | 57.0 | $218K | 81 | 27 |
| Chiropractors | 34 | #1,191 of 1,490 | 10 | 13.6 | $1M | 43 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 33 | #1,206 of 1,493 | 5 | 6.8 | $1.8M | 61 | 7 |
| Child care and preschools | 33 | #1,284 of 1,611 | 6 | 8.1 | $472K | 47 | 4 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 33 | #1,475 of 1,771 | 7 | 9.5 | $1.3M | 76 | 12 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 32 | #1,073 of 1,327 | 5 | 6.8 | $1.8M | 59 | 6 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 32 | #1,115 of 1,334 | 5 | 6.8 | $1.2M | 62 | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | 32 | #1,187 of 1,472 | 5 | 6.8 | $242K | 36 | 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | 30 | #1,221 of 1,451 | 7 | 9.5 | $1.3M | 52 | 4 |
| Insurance agencies | 27 | #1,896 of 2,272 | 13 | 17.6 | $1.1M | 87 | 12 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.4 | $1.6M | 120 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.4 | $2.6M | 144 | 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.4 | $4.9M | 58 | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $2.4M | 127 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $14.7M | 158 | 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $6.6M | 138 | 5 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $3.4M | 109 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $2M | 75 | 4 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $9.9M | Too few | 7 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $4.5M | Too few | 5 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $3.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $7.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $6.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $6.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $10.3M | Too few | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Delaware County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $9.2M | $1,243 | 130 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $23.3M | $3,159 | 122 |
| Food away from home | $28M | $3,798 | 93 |
| Groceries | $44.1M | $5,981 | 95 |
| Personal care products and services | $7.2M | $973 | 97 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.8M | $384 | 66 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $6.2M | $846 | 86 |
| Medical and dental services | $10.3M | $1,395 | 108 |
| Pets | $6.1M | $826 | 91 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $14.2M | $1,922 | 94 |
| Vehicle insurance | $14.1M | $1,917 | 98 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $19.7M | $2,676 | 89 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $8.9M | $1,208 | 85 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $101.9M | $13,834 | 83 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Delaware County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 17,674+1.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,369
- Median age
- 44.7
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 80%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.2
- Land area
- 578 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 30
- Median household income
- $74,989+17.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $96,512
- Median home value
- $177,900
- Jobs located here
- 6,550
- Daytime population
- 15,660Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Delaware County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Delaware County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
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- Fayette County, IA19,288 people
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- Jackson County, IA19,390 people
Questions
How fast is Delaware County, IA growing?
Population estimates put Delaware County at 17,674 people in 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 7,369 households. Median household income rose 17.6% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Delaware County, IA spend?
Households in Delaware County spend about $101.9M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $44.1M on groceries and $28M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Delaware County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 130, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (66).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Delaware County, IA?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Delaware County are for fast food and sandwich shops (78), dentists and orthodontists (75) and hair salons (72). Delaware County ranks #156 of 2,222 scored counties for fast food and sandwich shops.
How does Delaware County, IA compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Delaware County is $74,989 a year, 7% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $177,900, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Delaware County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for chiropractors (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (47% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 32 of the 56 business types have a score in Delaware County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Delaware County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Iowa · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in Delaware County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Delaware County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.