Dubuque County, Iowa: commercial real estate data.
Dubuque County, Iowa had an estimated 99,242 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.0 percent since the 2020 census base of 99,275, across 608 square miles. County output reached $9.16 bn in 2024, 2,804 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 56 7(a) approvals worth $16.4 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Dubuque County
How many people live in Dubuque County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202499,030
- Households40,989
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$77,630
- Median age39.1
- Median gross rent$959 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$237,300
- Home value to household income3.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income14.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher33.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree11.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over67,015
- Population under 1822,317
- Share under 1822.5 percent
- Population 65 and over19,152
- Share 65 and over19.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6457,561
- Civilian labor force53,131
- Unemployment rate3.7 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over69.3 percent
- Rank by population among Iowa counties9th of 99
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included626th of 3,222
Dubuque County is the 9th largest of 99 Iowa counties by population. A median home costs 3.1 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.5 percent against 19.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Dubuque County
Is Dubuque County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202499,242
- Census 2020 base population99,275
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.03 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024254
- Births, 20241,098
- Deaths, 20241,096
- Natural change, 20242
- Net domestic migration, 2024-73
- Net international migration, 2024323
- Total net migration, 2024250
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-1,004
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1833rd of 3,144
The county has lost 0.03 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Dubuque County
Where are people moving to Dubuque County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,800
- People arriving, from those returns2,942
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,966
- Net household movement-166
- Adjusted gross income arriving$107.8 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-17.1 m
- Average income of an arriving household$59,870
- Average income of a leaving household$63,518
- Largest single originJo Daviess County (128 households)
- Largest single destinationJo Daviess County (106 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Daviess County | 128 | 212 | $6.6 m |
| Grant County | 100 | 130 | $5.0 m |
| Cook County | 97 | 185 | $5.6 m |
| Linn County | 85 | 118 | $4.6 m |
| Jackson County | 79 | 128 | $4.5 m |
| Black Hawk County | 57 | 78 | $2.6 m |
| Delaware County | 56 | 83 | $2.3 m |
| Johnson County | 47 | 62 | $2.7 m |
Households arriving report $3,648 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Jo Daviess County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Dubuque County
What is the Dubuque County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$9.16 bn
- County GDP, 2023$8.81 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.9 percent
- GDP change over five years29.2 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Iowa areas BEA publishes7th of 99
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes476th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$92,496
Output grew 3.9 percent in the latest year and 29.2 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Dubuque County
Employment by industry in Dubuque County
- Covered employment, annual average58,413
- Establishments reporting3,728
- Average annual pay$58,669
- Average weekly wage$1,128
- Manufacturing, employment10,492
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$77,753
- Health care and social assistance, employment8,610
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$56,250
- Retail trade, employment6,447
- Retail trade, average annual pay$34,130
- Accommodation and food services, employment4,260
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,394
- Finance and insurance, employment4,253
- Wholesale trade, employment3,072
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 10,492 | 195 | $77,753 |
| Health care and social assistance | 8,610 | 486 | $56,250 |
| Retail trade | 6,447 | 389 | $34,130 |
| Accommodation and food services | 4,260 | 242 | $20,394 |
| Finance and insurance | 4,253 | 298 | $86,535 |
| Wholesale trade | 3,072 | 236 | $72,204 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 2,947 | 139 | $55,698 |
| Construction | 2,704 | 322 | $73,680 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,492 jobs, 18.0 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Dubuque County
How many businesses are in Dubuque County?
- Establishments, all industries2,804
- Employment at those establishments56,357
- Annual payroll$3.12 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents28.3
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Dubuque County
Building permits in Dubuque County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024474
- Declared construction value permitted$128.4 m
- Single family units authorized148
- Multifamily units authorized326
- Multifamily share of units68.8 percent
- Average declared value per unit$270,917
- Units authorized per 1,000 households11.6
Multifamily is 68.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Dubuque County
SBA loans in Dubuque County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded56
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$16.4 m
- Average 7(a) approval$293,493
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$708,950
- Largest single approval$1,660,500
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)531
- Jobs per approval9.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active21
- Distinct industries receiving approvals39
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer12.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms7
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter48
- Franchise loans13
- Franchise share of approvals23.2 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFitness and Recreational Sports Centers (5)
- Most active lenderNicolet National Bank (13)
- 504 approvals recorded43
- 504 gross approval dollars$39.1 m
- Average 504 approval$908,907
- Median 504 approval$441,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval7.4
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved8.2
- Most active CDCE.C.I.A. Business Growth, Inc. (34)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$55.5 m
The average approval of $293,493 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 12.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dubuque County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Dubuque County
Do SBA loans in Dubuque County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded9
- Paid in full8
- Charged off1
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Exempt from disclosure37
- Status: Paid in full8
- Status: Cancelled7
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 9 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dubuque County
SBA lending by place in Dubuque County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending4
- Dubuque, approvals47
- Cascade, approvals5
- Peosta, approvals2
- Asbury, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | 47 | $13,448,500 |
| Cascade | 5 | $1,625,000 |
| Peosta | 2 | $1,295,600 |
| Asbury | 2 | $66,500 |
Dubuque accounts for 47 approvals against 5 in Cascade. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dubuque County
How large is Dubuque County?
- Land area608 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Iowa counties21st of 99
- Width, east to west33.5 mi
- Height, north to south26.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land163
- Establishments per square mile4.61
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Dubuque County
Flood risk in Dubuque County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Dubuque County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 190534
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book22
- Of those, participating in the NFIP20
- NFIP participation rate90.9 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Dubuque County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Dubuque County (community 190534), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Dubuque County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 90.9 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Dubuque County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Dubuque County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202499,030
- Households40,989
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$77,630
- Median age39.1
Common questions
Dubuque County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Dubuque County, Iowa?
The Census Bureau estimates 99,242 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 99,030, in 40,989 households, ranking 9th of 99 Iowa counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Dubuque County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.03 percent since the 2020 census base of 99,275, to 99,242 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,098 births against 1,096 deaths, with net migration of 250. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Dubuque County?
$77,630. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $237,300, which is 3.1 times income, and median gross rent is $959 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Dubuque County?
2,804 establishments, employing 56,357 people with an annual payroll of $3.12 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Dubuque County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 10,492 jobs, 18.0 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 58,413 jobs at an average annual pay of $58,669, or $1,128 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Dubuque County?
56 7(a) approvals totaling $16.4 m since FY2020, across 21 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 43 504 approvals worth $39.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Dubuque County?
474 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $128.4 m. Multifamily was 68.8 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Dubuque County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Dubuque County come from?
The largest single origin is Jo Daviess County, with 128 households. Arriving households report an average income of $59,870 against $63,518 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Dubuque County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Dubuque County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Dubuque County
Cities and places in Dubuque.
21 Census places lie wholly or partly in Dubuque County. All 21 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | city | 59,174 | 47 | Wholly in this county |
| Asbury | city | 5,989 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Dyersville | city | 4,423 | None recorded | 72.2 percent here, 27.8 percent Delaware County |
| Cascade | city | 2,375 | 5 | 86.5 percent here, 13.5 percent Jones County |
| Peosta | city | 2,040 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Epworth | city | 1,894 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Farley | city | 1,889 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Worthington | city | 431 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| New Vienna | city | 372 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Holy Cross | city | 280 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rickardsville | city | 234 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Luxemburg | city | 229 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sherrill | city | 162 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Centralia | city | 117 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bernard | city | 112 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sageville | city | 88 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Zwingle | city | 76 | None recorded | 88.0 percent here, 12.0 percent Jackson County |
| Balltown | city | 72 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Graf | city | 47 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Durango | city | 18 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bankston | city | 14 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |