Baxter is a city in Jasper County, Iowa, United States. Baxter is located 33 miles (53 km) northeast of Des Moines. The population was 962 at the 2020 census.

Baxter was platted in 1883.

Baxter's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.824492, -93.150857.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.65 square miles (1.68 km), all land.

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1900	427	—
1910	527	+23.4%
1920	571	+8.3%
1930	569	−0.4%
1940	623	+9.5%
1950	618	−0.8%
1960	681	+10.2%
1970	788	+15.7%
1980	951	+20.7%
1990	938	−1.4%
2000	1,052	+12.2%
2010	1,101	+4.7%
2020	962	−12.6%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2020, there were 962 people, 404 households, and 277 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,472.0 inhabitants per square mile (568.3/km). There were 433 housing units at an average density of 662.5 per square mile (255.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.8% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.

Of the 404 households, 33.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 5.9% were cohabitating couples, 25.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 16.8% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 31.4% of all households were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 27.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.8% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 24.0% were from 25 and 44; 25.4% were from 45 and 64; and 16.0% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,101 people, 427 households, and 296 families living in the city. The population density was 1,693.8 inhabitants per square mile (654.0/km). There were 446 housing units at an average density of 686.2 per square mile (264.9/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 427 households, of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 38.1 years. 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,052 people, 438 households, and 288 families living in the city. The population density was 1,607.2 inhabitants per square mile (620.5/km). There were 455 housing units at an average density of 695.1 per square mile (268.4/km). The racial makeup of the city was 98.86% White, 0.76% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.19% Asian, and 0.10% from two or more races.

There were 438 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,912, and the median income for a family was $42,411. Males had a median income of $31,150 versus $23,274 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,749. About 6.3% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Baxter Community School District operates local public schools.

• Ashton Observatory

• City of Baxter Portal style website, Government, Business, Recreation and more