Patterson is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 176 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Des Moines–…Patterson is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 176 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. Patterson was laid out in 1872. It derives its name from Alexander Pattison, the original owner of the town site, but the name was misspelled on the plat and stuck.