County profile · Iowa
Dubuque County, IA market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in Dubuque County, each scored against other counties.
- Population, 2025
- 99,381
- +0.1% since 2020
- Households
- 40,989
- Median household income
- $77,630
- +23.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $237,300
- Jobs located here
- 58,941
- Highest market score
- 71
- Nail salons, #134 of 1,328 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Dubuque County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Dubuque 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
An estimated 99,381 people live in Dubuque County, in 40,989 households. Population estimates show Dubuque County grew 0.1% from 2020 to 2025, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in Dubuque County is $77,630 a year, 4% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 23.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in Dubuque County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (71).
The highest Groundwork market scores in Dubuque County are for nail salons (71), primary care and pediatric clinics (68) and grocery and convenience stores (68). Dubuque County ranks #134 of 1,328 scored counties for nail salons.
Dubuque County is part of the Dubuque metro area. For its number of households, Dubuque County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for chiropractors (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for nail salons (47% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Dubuque County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Dubuque 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nail salons | 71 | #134 of 1,328 | 13 | 3.2 | $3.1M | 188 | 5 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 68 | #302 of 1,656 | 22 | 5.4 | $2.7M | 149 | 39 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 68 | #497 of 2,402 | 68 | 16.6 | $3.7M | 108 | 20 |
| Grocery stores | 66 | #502 of 2,070 | 20 | 4.9 | $12.4M | 134 | 15 |
| Barbershops | 65 | #332 of 1,356 | 14 | 3.4 | $2.9M | 155 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 65 | #598 of 2,261 | 38 | 9.3 | $6.6M | 83 | 5 |
| Tire shops | 61 | #495 of 1,530 | 17 | 4.1 | $2.6M | 104 | 6 |
| Property management | 60 | #286 of 910 | 6 | 1.5 | Index only | 173 | 11 |
| Pet stores | 59 | #332 of 974 | 7 | 1.7 | $5M | 110 | 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 55 | #948 of 2,405 | 205 | 50.0 | $785K | 118 | 71 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 55 | #956 of 2,222 | 59 | 14.4 | $2.7M | 89 | 66 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 54 | #545 of 1,334 | 18 | 4.4 | $2.1M | 102 | 10 |
| Funeral homes | 54 | #608 of 1,472 | 12 | 2.9 | $527K | 78 | 6 |
| Electricians | 53 | #515 of 1,160 | 10 | 2.4 | $11.2M | 93 | 22 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 52 | #853 of 1,886 | 43 | 10.5 | $1.4M | 138 | 39 |
| Pizza | 51 | #994 of 2,090 | 44 | 10.7 | $3.7M | 72 | 66 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 50 | #672 of 1,302 | 17 | 4.1 | $3.4M | 110 | 12 |
| Gyms | 50 | #908 of 1,792 | 29 | 7.1 | $1.3M | 98 | 15 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 50 | #923 of 1,889 | 33 | 8.1 | $4.9M | 118 | 31 |
| House cleaning | 48 | #454 of 847 | 7 | 1.7 | $7.2M | 113 | 22 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 48 | #1,158 of 2,088 | 55 | 13.4 | $671K | 101 | 25 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 47 | #439 of 777 | 8 | 2.0 | $4.6M | 114 | 15 |
| Gas stations | 47 | #1,309 of 2,358 | 54 | 13.2 | $2.1M | 87 | 46 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 47 | #1,323 of 2,405 | 450 | 109.8 | $357K | 96 | 165 |
| Roofing and gutters | 45 | #697 of 1,177 | 13 | 3.2 | $8.6M | 102 | 11 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 45 | #773 of 1,327 | 14 | 3.4 | $3.2M | 103 | 17 |
| Pet businesses | 45 | #1,328 of 2,200 | 51 | 12.4 | $684K | 78 | 26 |
| Home repair trades | 43 | #1,362 of 2,057 | 52 | 12.7 | $2.2M | 89 | 73 |
| Auto repair and car care | 43 | #1,497 of 2,401 | 165 | 40.3 | $269K | 100 | 85 |
| Physical therapy | 42 | #925 of 1,422 | 29 | 7.1 | $2M | 84 | 20 |
| Spas and skin care | 42 | #1,186 of 1,769 | 43 | 10.5 | $952K | 109 | 12 |
| Veterinarians | 41 | #956 of 1,485 | 18 | 4.4 | $1.9M | 71 | 14 |
| Auto repair shops | 41 | #1,583 of 2,378 | 100 | 24.4 | $443K | 100 | 67 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 41 | #1,639 of 2,394 | 356 | 86.9 | $164K | 108 | 148 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 41 | #1,673 of 2,385 | 182 | 44.4 | $225K | 106 | 48 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 40 | #974 of 1,461 | 23 | 5.6 | $1.5M | 60 | 9 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 40 | #1,201 of 1,707 | 29 | 7.1 | $3.9M | 81 | 40 |
| Hair salons | 39 | #1,691 of 2,339 | 107 | 26.1 | $382K | 89 | 29 |
| Pest control | 38 | #509 of 699 | 5 | 1.2 | $10.1M | 99 | 8 |
| Car washes and detailing | 38 | #1,037 of 1,451 | 22 | 5.4 | $2M | 80 | 10 |
| Real estate | 38 | #1,729 of 2,229 | 105 | 25.6 | Index only | 127 | 62 |
| Child care and preschools | 36 | #1,177 of 1,611 | 23 | 5.6 | $733K | 73 | 29 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 36 | #1,562 of 2,063 | 57 | 13.9 | $2.8M | 76 | 28 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 36 | #1,796 of 2,176 | 94 | 22.9 | Index only | 113 | 37 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 34 | #1,737 of 2,210 | 120 | 29.3 | $676K | 77 | 41 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 32 | #1,658 of 2,087 | 95 | 23.2 | $854K | 67 | 38 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 29 | #1,598 of 1,771 | 40 | 9.8 | $1.3M | 76 | 78 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 28 | #1,317 of 1,493 | 28 | 6.8 | $1.8M | 62 | 48 |
| Chiropractors | 25 | #1,374 of 1,490 | 55 | 13.4 | $1.1M | 44 | 38 |
| Insurance agencies | 19 | #2,092 of 2,272 | 71 | 17.3 | $957K | 76 | 61 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.0 | $20.3M | 129 | 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 1.0 | $20.3M | 162 | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | Index only | 494 | 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 0.7 | $19.5M | 79 | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 0.5 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.2 | $44.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
Household spending in Dubuque 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 | $44.3M | $1,081 | 113 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $112.2M | $2,737 | 105 |
| Food away from home | $160.8M | $3,924 | 96 |
| Groceries | $248.9M | $6,073 | 96 |
| Personal care products and services | $40.9M | $998 | 99 |
| Child care and other personal services | $16.9M | $412 | 71 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $36.9M | $900 | 92 |
| Medical and dental services | $58.4M | $1,426 | 111 |
| Pets | $34.9M | $851 | 94 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $81.1M | $1,979 | 96 |
| Vehicle insurance | $67.9M | $1,658 | 85 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $111.9M | $2,729 | 90 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $50.7M | $1,237 | 88 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $578M | $14,102 | 85 |
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 Dubuque County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 99,381+0.1% since 2020
- Households
- 40,989
- Median age
- 39.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 73%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 608 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 163
- Median household income
- $77,630+23.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $100,177
- Median home value
- $237,300
- Jobs located here
- 58,941
- Daytime population
- 105,695Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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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- Delaware County, IA17,558 people
- Jones County, IA20,896 people
- Clayton County, IA17,013 people
- Clinton County, IA46,268 people
- Cedar County, IA18,349 people
- Linn County, IA230,004 people
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Questions
How fast is Dubuque County, IA growing?
Population estimates put Dubuque County at 99,381 people in 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 40,989 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 23.2%, before inflation.
How much do households in Dubuque County, IA spend?
Households in Dubuque County spend about $578M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $248.9M on groceries and $160.8M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in Dubuque County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (71).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Dubuque County, IA?
Of the business types scored in Dubuque County, nail salons (71), primary care and pediatric clinics (68) and grocery and convenience stores (68) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For nail salons, that ranks #134 of 1,328 scored counties.
How does Dubuque County, IA compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in Dubuque County is $77,630, 4% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 0.1% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $237,300, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for chiropractors (2.5 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for nail salons (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. 50 of the 56 business types have a score in Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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.