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CITY

Cedar Falls

Iowa · 41,240 residents (2025 est.) · 29.433 sq mi
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#182Shortest commutesof 6,82614.0#328Youngest by median ageof 6,82629.3
The short version

Cedar Falls has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $76,987. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $263,600. At a median age of 29.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 29.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
40,888
+13%since 2000
from 36,145 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,389 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 1,228 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
29.3
+13%since 2000
from 26.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:41,240 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
34K36K38K40K42K1990201020202024Cedar Falls
202441K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$76,987
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,226 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,428
+116%since 2000
from $19,140 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
51.3%
+22.9 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.447
−2%since 2010
from 0.454 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$263,600
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,203
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $492 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
36.0% rent
Vacancy rate
5.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.7%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.0%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+41%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cedar Falls on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.6%(34,207)
Black1.5%(558)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(389)
Asian1.6%(581)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.4%(3,753)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(37,031)
Black1.4%(555)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(893)
Asian3.2%(1,300)
Other2.7%(1,109)
Diversity Score22.2%(9,065)
Diversity Score
22
+114%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.4%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 39.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 92.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 16.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
+48%since 2000
from 9.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 66.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
46.1%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−42.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2012
from 7.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.0%
−90.3 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.1%
+9.0 ptssince 2017
from 84.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2016
from 93.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cedar Falls to nearby cities

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Income$57,480−25%
Home value$152,600−42%
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CEDAR FALLS VS
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CEDAR FALLS VS
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CEDAR FALLS VS
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Income$70,424−9%
Home value$187,100−29%
Population137,935+234%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cedar Falls, Iowa?

Cedar Falls, Iowa has about 40,888 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cedar Falls, Iowa?

The typical household in Cedar Falls, Iowa earns about $76,987 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cedar Falls, Iowa expensive?

In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the median home is worth about $263,600, and the typical rent is about $1,203 a month.

How educated are people in Cedar Falls, Iowa?

About 50.4% of adults age 25 and over in Cedar Falls, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cedar Falls, Iowa?

About 15.7% of people in Cedar Falls, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cedar Falls, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Cedar Falls, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,590 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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

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