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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cherokee

Iowa · 5,199 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 $46,405. Population has declined 3% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $95,600. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,199
−3%since 2000
from 5,369 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
761 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 786 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.2
+8%since 2000
from 42.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Cherokee
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,405
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,240 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,263
+58%since 2000
from $17,846 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.8%
+13.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.8%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information25.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade13.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,600
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$544
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $338 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.6%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 68.5% in 2000
31.4% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+18%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(4,597)
Black1.2%(64)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(342)
Asian0.9%(48)
Other3.2%(165)
Diversity Score27.2%(1,415)
Diversity Score
27
+313%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.7%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 84.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+47%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 80.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 2.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 63.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.5%
−28.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−82.5 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cherokee

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Pop 5,437
Nassau Village-Ratliff
Pop 4,737
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Pop 5,501
Fellsmere
Pop 5,025
Places similar to Cherokee
Head to head

Compare Cherokee to nearby cities

CHEROKEE VS
Storm Lake
Income$62,765+35%
Home value$172,200+80%
Population11,590+126%
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CHEROKEE VS
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Income$74,701+61%
Home value$219,200+129%
Population10,760+110%
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CHEROKEE VS
Spencer
Income$59,667+29%
Home value$184,800+93%
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CHEROKEE VS
Sioux Center
Income$92,983+100%
Home value$290,800+204%
Population8,864+73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cherokee, Iowa?

Cherokee, Iowa has about 5,199 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cherokee, Iowa?

The typical household in Cherokee, Iowa earns about $46,405 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 $95,600, and the typical rent is about $544 a month.

How educated are people in Cherokee, Iowa?

About 23.7% 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 19.8% 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 827 residents, a change of about -14 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 →

Cherokee, Iowa (2020): demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy