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CITY

Central City

Iowa · 1,253 residents (2025 est.) · 1.074 sq mi
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The short version

Central City has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $85,400. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $179,700. Poverty is rare here, at 3.9% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,356
+17%since 2000
from 1,157 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,263 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,077 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.8
−5%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,253 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K1K1990201020202024Central City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$85,400
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,544 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,158
+103%since 2000
from $18,800 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.8%
+38.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.329
−14%since 2010
from 0.384 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services12.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration12.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade12.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade11.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$179,700
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $78,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$782
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $378 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
22.2% rent
Vacancy rate
5.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.9%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 23.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.4%
−24.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
−2%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Central City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(1,140)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(6)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.5%(18)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(1,316)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(35)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.4%(5)
Diversity Score7.2%(97)
Diversity Score
7
+373%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.5%
+18.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.5 min
+65%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
67.0%
−16.6 ptssince 2009
from 83.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.9%
+16.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% 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
2.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.1%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Female
47.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.9%
−39.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.5%
−88.9 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.3%
+11.7 ptssince 2017
from 73.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Central City to nearby cities

CENTRAL CITY VS
Marion
Income$86,743+2%
Home value$241,700+35%
Population42,732+3310%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Cedar Rapids
Income$70,424−18%
Home value$187,100+4%
Population137,935+10908%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
North Liberty
Income$102,102+20%
Home value$303,800+69%
Population21,976+1654%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CENTRAL CITY VS
Coralville
Income$69,144−19%
Home value$298,500+66%
Population23,960+1812%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Central City, Iowa?

Central City, Iowa has about 1,356 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Central City, Iowa?

The typical household in Central City, Iowa earns about $85,400 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Central City, Iowa expensive?

In Central City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $179,700, and the typical rent is about $782 a month.

How educated are people in Central City, Iowa?

About 18.6% of adults age 25 and over in Central City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Central City, Iowa?

About 3.9% of people in Central City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Central City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Central City, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 264 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Central City, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy