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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chester

Iowa · 127 residents · 1.383 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,625. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 24 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $55,000. With a median age of 48.8, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 27% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 48.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% 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
127
−16%since 2000
from 151 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
92 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 109 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
48.8
+2%since 2000
from 47.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1131541952362771990201020202024Chester
2024150
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,625
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,875 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,124
+38%since 2000
from $18,240 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
15.5%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
13.0%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.441
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade29.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing21.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Information15.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$55,000
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$392
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $313 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
42.2%
−40.9 ptssince 2000
from 83.1% in 2000
20.3% rent
Vacancy rate
8.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
18.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
7.4%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.5
−16%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.7%(149)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.3%(5)
2010
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(126)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other16.6%(21)
Diversity Score31.9%(41)
Diversity Score
32
+877%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
39.7 min
+187%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.9%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 88.5% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.2%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% 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
5.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
2.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
16.7%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
62.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.4% in 2009
Female
37.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 39.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.1%
−54.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Iowa?

Chester, Iowa has about 127 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Iowa?

The typical household in Chester, Iowa earns about $35,625 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Iowa expensive?

In Chester, Iowa, the median home is worth about $55,000, and the typical rent is about $392 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Iowa?

About 9.6% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Iowa?

About 13.0% of people in Chester, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 25 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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

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