Northwood is a city in Worth County, Iowa, United States, along the Shell Rock River. The population was 1,989 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Worth County. Northwood is part of the Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area. Local events can be found on the chamber website here.
As of 2025 the population of Northwood is 1,976. The population is expected to shrink to 1,949 by 2030 - a growth rate of -0.27%.
The median age of Northwood residents is 42.
The diversity index of Northwood is 17.7, meaning that there is a 18% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in Northwood is $84,268 and projected to be $90,513 in 2030. Per capita income is $38,331, projected to be $41,322 in 2030. 1.67% of households – 33 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $771,270 and the average disposable income is $64,874.
There are 976 housing units in Northwood; 699 are owner-occupied, 199 are rented, and 78 are vacant. The average home value is $197,418, with 16 homes built in 2010 or later, and 376 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 148 businesses in Northwood, employing 1,239 workers and pulling from a labor force of 1,117 age 16 and above. 224 workers commute into Northwood from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
653 residents both live and work in/around Northwood. The average travel time is 0.0 minutes. 27.87% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 2.91% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 868 drive alone, 137 carpool, and 3 take public transportation. 59 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 50 residents work from home.
525 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 203 have associates degrees, 227 have bachelor’s degrees, and 83 hold a graduate or professional degree.
