County profile · Iowa
Jefferson County, IA market data
How Jefferson County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 15,291
- −2.5% since 2020
- Households
- 6,952
- Median household income
- $61,620
- +29.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $163,400
- Jobs located here
- 7,562
- Highest market score
- 51
- Doctors, dentists and clinics, #1,129 of 2,394 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Jefferson County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Jefferson 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
Jefferson County has an estimated 15,291 people and 6,952 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of Jefferson County declined 2.5%, against +3.1% for the U.S. Median household income in Jefferson County is $61,620, 24% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 29.2%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Jefferson County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 105, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (58).
Of the business types scored in Jefferson County, medical and dental practices (51), fast food and sandwich shops (49) and clothing and shoe stores (46) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For medical and dental practices, that ranks #1,129 of 2,394 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for coffee shops and cafes (57% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (48% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Jefferson County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 51 | #1,129 of 2,394 | 43 | 61.9 | $205K | 135 | 11 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 49 | #1,164 of 2,222 | 7 | 10.1 | $3.4M | 112 | 12 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 46 | #1,184 of 2,087 | 8 | 11.5 | $1.5M | 121 | 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 43 | #1,466 of 2,402 | 12 | 17.3 | $3.2M | 96 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 43 | #1,568 of 2,385 | 26 | 37.4 | $236K | 111 | 4 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 38 | #1,591 of 2,210 | 15 | 21.6 | $818K | 93 | 3 |
| Hair salons | 37 | #1,772 of 2,339 | 14 | 20.1 | $438K | 102 | Under 3 |
| Gas stations | 35 | #1,775 of 2,358 | 8 | 11.5 | $2.3M | 95 | 11 |
| Pizza | 34 | #1,662 of 2,090 | 7 | 10.1 | $3.4M | 67 | 12 |
| Convenience stores | 34 | #1,670 of 2,261 | 7 | 10.1 | $5.6M | 71 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 34 | #1,754 of 2,200 | 9 | 12.9 | $565K | 64 | 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 32 | #1,508 of 1,771 | 6 | 8.6 | $1.3M | 76 | 7 |
| Real estate | 32 | #1,997 of 2,229 | 14 | 20.1 | Index only | 147 | 10 |
| Auto repair shops | 29 | #2,046 of 2,378 | 19 | 27.3 | $368K | 83 | 9 |
| Auto repair and car care | 27 | #2,114 of 2,401 | 34 | 48.9 | $206K | 77 | 12 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 26 | #2,106 of 2,176 | 13 | 18.7 | Index only | 126 | 7 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 25 | #1,737 of 1,889 | 8 | 11.5 | $3M | 72 | 4 |
| Home repair trades | 24 | #1,941 of 2,057 | 9 | 12.9 | $1.9M | 77 | 12 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 22 | #1,946 of 2,063 | 12 | 17.3 | $2M | 54 | 4 |
| Gyms | 19 | #1,677 of 1,792 | 7 | 10.1 | $723K | 56 | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | 17 | #1,458 of 1,490 | 7 | 10.1 | $1.3M | 53 | 5 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 17 | #2,344 of 2,405 | 89 | 128.0 | $268K | 72 | 35 |
| Spas and skin care | 16 | #1,732 of 1,769 | 9 | 12.9 | $681K | 78 | 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 16 | #2,008 of 2,088 | 14 | 20.1 | $361K | 55 | Under 3 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 16 | #2,365 of 2,405 | 51 | 73.4 | $467K | 70 | 17 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 14 | #1,297 of 1,334 | 5 | 7.2 | $1M | 50 | Under 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 12 | #2,227 of 2,272 | 14 | 20.1 | $783K | 62 | 9 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.8 | $2.2M | 224 | 6 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.8 | $4.2M | 88 | 6 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.8 | $1.7M | 70 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.8 | $1.3M | 47 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $783K | 78 | 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $2.3M | 76 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $5.6M | 46 | 6 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $366K | 54 | 3 |
| Grocery stores | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $13M | 140 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $2.6M | 87 | 7 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $2.9M | 94 | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $1.7M | 67 | 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $2.9M | 122 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.3 | $2.9M | 165 | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $3.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $3.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $6.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $8.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $2.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $6.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $7.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $5.1M | Too few | Under 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 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Jefferson 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 | $7M | $1,006 | 105 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $18M | $2,595 | 100 |
| Food away from home | $23.8M | $3,428 | 84 |
| Groceries | $38.9M | $5,601 | 89 |
| Personal care products and services | $6.1M | $881 | 88 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.3M | $338 | 58 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $5.1M | $728 | 74 |
| Medical and dental services | $8.8M | $1,270 | 99 |
| Pets | $5.1M | $731 | 80 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $12.3M | $1,764 | 86 |
| Vehicle insurance | $11M | $1,576 | 81 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $16.7M | $2,406 | 80 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $7.7M | $1,104 | 78 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $89.1M | $12,816 | 77 |
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 Jefferson County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 15,291−2.5% since 2020
- Households
- 6,952
- Median age
- 44.2
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 68%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.8
- Land area
- 436 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 36
- Median household income
- $61,620+29.2% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $82,383
- Median home value
- $163,400
- Jobs located here
- 7,562
- Daytime population
- 16,437Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in Iowa 8
- Van Buren County, IA7,241 people
- Henry County, IA20,004 people
- Wapello County, IA35,362 people
- Keokuk County, IA9,924 people
- Washington County, IA22,561 people
- Davis County, IA9,157 people
- Louisa County, IA10,678 people
- Mahaska County, IA22,021 people
Questions
How fast is Jefferson County, IA growing?
Population estimates put Jefferson County at 15,291 people in 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 6,952 households. Median household income rose 29.2% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Jefferson County, IA spend?
Households in Jefferson County spend about $89.1M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $38.9M on groceries and $23.8M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Jefferson County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 105, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (58).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Jefferson County, IA?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Jefferson County are for medical and dental practices (51), fast food and sandwich shops (49) and clothing and shoe stores (46). Jefferson County ranks #1,129 of 2,394 scored counties for medical and dental practices.
How does Jefferson County, IA compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Jefferson County is $61,620 a year, 24% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 2.5% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $163,400, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Jefferson County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for coffee shops and cafes (57% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (48% 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. 27 of the 56 business types have a score in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.