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CITY · 2010 ACS

Cherokee

Iowa · 5,253 residents · 6.833 sq mi
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The short version

Cherokee has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,976. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $69,400. With a median age of 46.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 26% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 46.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,253
−2%since 2000
from 5,369 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
769 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 786 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
46.3
+8%since 2000
from 42.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Cherokee
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,976
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,240 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,038
+29%since 2000
from $17,846 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
19.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
3.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade15.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10.2%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$69,400
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$446
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $338 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.9%
−32.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.5% in 2000
30.1% rent
Vacancy rate
6.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
21.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.2%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.9
+11%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cherokee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(5,185)
Black0.5%(29)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(81)
Asian0.6%(33)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.6%(353)
2010
White, non-Hispanic94.3%(4,952)
Black1%(50)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(152)
Asian0.7%(39)
Other0.7%(35)
Diversity Score12.7%(669)
Diversity Score
13
+93%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
9.5 min
−14%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
86.2%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
5.6%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
15.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
21.3%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
50.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.9%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cherokee

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Pop 5,025
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Compare Cherokee to nearby cities

CHEROKEE VS
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Home value$172,200+148%
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CHEROKEE VS
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Home value$219,200+216%
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CHEROKEE VS
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Home value$184,800+166%
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CHEROKEE VS
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Home value$290,800+319%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cherokee, Iowa?

Cherokee, Iowa has about 5,253 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cherokee, Iowa?

The typical household in Cherokee, Iowa earns about $35,976 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cherokee, Iowa expensive?

In Cherokee, Iowa, the median home is worth about $69,400, and the typical rent is about $446 a month.

How educated are people in Cherokee, Iowa?

About 16.5% of adults age 25 and over in Cherokee, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cherokee, Iowa?

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

Has Cherokee, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Cherokee, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 773 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

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