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CITY

Creston

Iowa · 7,335 residents (2025 est.) · 5.189 sq mi
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The short version

Creston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,633. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $114,500. Households here earn about 30% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,435
−2%since 2000
from 7,597 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,433 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 1,464 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.5
+1%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,335 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K8K8K8K8K1990201020202024Creston
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,633
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,831 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,795
+75%since 2000
from $16,411 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.9%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.8%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.409
−1%since 2010
from 0.413 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information15.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,500
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$703
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $343 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.4%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
35.6% rent
Vacancy rate
10.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.7%
−17.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+13%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Creston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(7,398)
Black0.3%(26)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(96)
Asian0.3%(26)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.8%(367)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.2%(6,854)
Black0.9%(68)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(272)
Asian1.2%(86)
Other2.1%(155)
Diversity Score18.5%(1,377)
Diversity Score
19
+283%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.9%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.2%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 86.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.3 min
+6%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.9%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.4%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.4%
−12.8 ptssince 2011
from 69.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.7%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.9%
−36.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2012
from 15.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−83.1 ptssince 2013
from 90.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.2%
+14.4 ptssince 2017
from 73.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2016
from 94.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Creston to nearby cities

CRESTON VS
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Income$101,029+92%
Home value$350,500+206%
Population34,890+376%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CRESTON VS
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Income$86,594+65%
Home value$309,000+170%
Population74,224+912%
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CRESTON VS
Norwalk
Income$102,722+95%
Home value$303,100+165%
Population15,004+105%
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CRESTON VS
Indianola
Income$75,453+43%
Home value$237,500+107%
Population16,829+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Creston, Iowa?

Creston, Iowa has about 7,435 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Creston, Iowa?

The typical household in Creston, Iowa earns about $52,633 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Creston, Iowa expensive?

In Creston, Iowa, the median home is worth about $114,500, and the typical rent is about $703 a month.

How educated are people in Creston, Iowa?

About 23.9% of adults age 25 and over in Creston, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Creston, Iowa?

About 15.8% of people in Creston, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Creston, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Creston, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 476 residents, a change of about -6 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 →