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CITY

Carbon

Iowa · 33 residents (2025 est.) · 0.75 sq mi
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The short version

Carbon has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,750. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 64% since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. With a median age of 66.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 30.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 66.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
82% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
46
+64%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
61 / sq mi
+64%since 2000
from 37 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
66.8
+61%since 2000
from 41.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:33 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
13264053671990201020202024Carbon
202446
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,750
+155%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $10,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,902
+192%since 2000
from $9,891 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
17.9%
+17.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.4%
−15.0 ptssince 2000
from 45.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.368
+144%since 2010
from 0.151 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information61.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Owner-occupied
82.1%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 73.3% in 2000
17.9% rent
Vacancy rate
33.3%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
30.4%
+30.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carbon on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(28)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(44)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score10.4%(5)
Diversity Score
10
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.7%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
69.6%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 60.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Drive alone to work
100.0%
+26.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−26.7 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.7%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
28.3%
−48.2 ptssince 2011
from 76.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.7%
−19.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
7.7%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.2%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
Female
47.8%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
19.6%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
47.8%
+47.8 ptssince 2012
from 0.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.2%
−88.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
53.6%
+6.2 ptssince 2017
from 47.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+10.8 ptssince 2016
from 89.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−10.8 ptssince 2016
from 10.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Carbon, Iowa?

Carbon, Iowa has about 46 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Carbon, Iowa?

The typical household in Carbon, Iowa earns about $48,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

How educated are people in Carbon, Iowa?

About 8.7% of adults age 25 and over in Carbon, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carbon, Iowa?

About 30.4% of people in Carbon, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carbon, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Carbon, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 16 residents, a change of about -26 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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