Panama, Iowa
City in Shelby County, Iowa · ZIP 51562
- Shelby County
- Census data · ACS 2019-2023
- 234 (2024 estimate)Population
- 124Households
- $61,250Median household income
- $121,600Median home value
- 1ZIP codes
About Panama
This page shows only what has been published about Panama: Census facts with their sources first, then its businesses, jobs, events, people in public roles, housing and questions as they are added. Nothing here is written by the town government.
Town intelligenceOfficial sources, refreshed yearly
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 212 |
| 2010 | 221 |
| 2020 | 235 |
As counted at each census, within the boundaries the area had then; the current estimate is in the glance card.
Sources: Census 2000 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2010 Summary File 1: total population, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census 2020 Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171): total population, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Median household income $61,250 · Share of households by income, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table S1901.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year subject table S1901 (household income) 2019–2023, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026.
- Owner occupied
- 95 units
- Renter occupied
- 29 units
- Vacancy rate
- 8.8%
Occupied housing units by tenure and the share of all units vacant, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023, table DP04.
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026.
| Measure | Panama | Shelby County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 283 | 11,757 | 3,195,937 |
| Median household income | $61,250 | $67,690 | $73,147 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 45.1 | 38.6 |
| Median home value | $121,600 | $156,200 | $195,900 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 12.6% | 23.3% | 30.9% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.0% | 1.2% | 5.7% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.6% | 75.8% | 71.5% |
| Mean commute to work | 13.4 minutes | 18.3 minutes | 19.8 minutes |
Source: American Community Survey 5-year data profile 2019–2023, place level, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026.
CommunityRules and moderation
Events in PanamaAll events
No upcoming event is listed in Panama yet. Members and businesses add events from the Events page; each is screened before it shows.
Schools
No public school is listed for Panama: either the NCES directory for Iowa is not loaded yet, or no school's address falls inside Panama’s boundary. Schools in neighbouring towns are on their pages.
Legislative districts
| Chamber | District |
|---|---|
| U.S. House of Representatives | Congressional District 4 (IA-4) |
| State legislature, lower chamber | State House District 12 |
| State legislature, upper chamber | State Senate District 6 |
Boundaries from the Census Bureau’s TIGER/Line district files, matched to Panama’s own boundary. Who holds each seat appears on the People page once the official records are approved.
Sources: Census cartographic boundaries 2025: congressional districts, 119th Congress, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, upper chamber, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026; Census cartographic boundaries 2025: state legislative districts, lower chamber, state 19, retrieved November 14, 2026.
Frequently asked about PanamaPromoted from questions people asked
No question about Panama has been asked often enough to publish an answer yet. Ask Panama and the answer, once a person checks it, appears here.
Nearby towns
- WestphaliaCity
- EarlingCity
- PortsmouthCity
- TennantCity
- HarlanCity
- DefianceCity
- KirkmanCity
- DunlapCity
- PersiaCity
- WoodbineCity
Other towns in Shelby County
- CorleyCensus designated place
- DefianceCity
- EarlingCity
- Elk HornCity
- HarlanCity
- IrwinCity
- JacksonvilleCensus designated place
- KirkmanCity
- PortsmouthCity
- TennantCity