Defiance, IA Profile: Facts & Data

The City of Defiance had a population of 230 as of July 1, 2025. Defiance ranks in the upper quartile for Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Iowa. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Defiance is located at latitude 41.8242 and longitude -95.3428 in Shelby County. The formal boundaries for the City of Defiance encompass a land area of 0.39 sq. miles and a water area of 0 sq. miles. Shelby County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).

The City of Defiance has a C1 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that does not serve as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Defiance, IA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2025)

POPULATION
Total Population	230 (100%)
Population in Households	230 (100.0%)
Population in Families	163 (70.9%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	0
Population Density	616
Diversity Index²	28


INCOME
Median Household Income	$67,210
Average Household Income	$102,841
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	12%
Per Capita Income	$48,290
Wealth Index⁵	94
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (60.0)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	117 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	98 (83.8%)
Renter Occupied HU	10 ( 8.5%)
Vacant Housing Units	9 ( 7.7%)
Median Home Value	$127,778
Average Home Value	$573,265
Housing Affordability Index³	178

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	108
Average Household Size	2.13
Family Households	67
Average Family Size	2.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Defiance, IA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Defiance to the other 1,026 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Iowa by rank and percentile using July 1, 2025 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2025	2025-2030
Population	-0.49%	-0.09%
Households	-0.69%	-0.19%
Families		2.28%
Median Household Income		6.58%
Per Capita Income		2.97%
Owner Occupied HU		-1.04%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 639	38th
Population Density	# 515	50th
Median Household Income	# 714	31st
Housing Affordability Index	# 928	90th
Per Capita Income	# 214	79th
Diversity Index	# 169	84th

Defiance, IA Profile: Facts & Data

Defiance, Iowa - Basic Facts

Defiance, IA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2025)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Defiance, IA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

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Shelby County