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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chelsea

Iowa · 229 residents · 1.013 sq mi
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The short version

Chelsea has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $41,250. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 58 residents. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $37,500. The poverty rate of 40.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
229
−20%since 2000
from 287 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
226 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 283 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.1
+18%since 2000
from 33.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1662312963614261990201020202024Chelsea
2024404
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,250
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,625 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,260
+12%since 2000
from $13,608 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
17.5%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
40.9%
+21.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade50.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade17.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Information5%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Other services0.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$37,500
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$567
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
89.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 87.8% in 2000
10.2% rent
Afford Score
0.9
−9%since 2000
from 1.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chelsea on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic67.2%(193)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino31.4%(90)
Asian0.7%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score55.2%(158)
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.6%(148)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino31.4%(72)
Asian0.4%(1)
Other2.7%(6)
Diversity Score59.3%(136)
Diversity Score
59
+7%since 2000
from 55 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
72.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.6 min
+34%since 2000
from 23.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
43.8%
−25.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.7%
+3.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
14.9%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.8%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
45.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
20.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.2%
−74.8 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Chelsea to nearby cities

CHELSEA VS
Grinnell
Income$65,320+58%
Home value$209,500+459%
Population9,430+4434%
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CHELSEA VS
Marshalltown
Income$69,068+67%
Home value$127,700+241%
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CHELSEA VS
Newton
Income$57,771+40%
Home value$153,700+310%
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CHELSEA VS
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Income$70,424+71%
Home value$187,100+399%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chelsea, Iowa?

Chelsea, Iowa has about 229 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chelsea, Iowa?

The typical household in Chelsea, Iowa earns about $41,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chelsea, Iowa expensive?

In Chelsea, Iowa, the median home is worth about $37,500, and the typical rent is about $567 a month.

How educated are people in Chelsea, Iowa?

About 4.8% of adults age 25 and over in Chelsea, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chelsea, Iowa?

About 40.9% of people in Chelsea, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chelsea, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Chelsea, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 102 residents, a change of about -31 percent over that period.

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

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