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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Ely

Iowa · 507 residents · 1.686 sq mi
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The short version

Ely has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $31,875. Population has fallen 56% since 2000, a loss of 642 residents. Median home value is $57,700. Poverty is rare here, at 2.4% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 33.4
US median: 33.0
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
507
−56%vs 2000
vs 1,149 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
33.4
+5%vs 2000
vs 31.9 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
3258711K2K3K1990201020202024Ely
20242K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 55.7%(29)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 97.7%(39)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 149.3%(47)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 196.9%(35)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 244.9%(25)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3418.7%(95)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4418.3%(93)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 546.5%(33)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 648.7%(44)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 747.7%(39)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 844.9%(25)
US avg: 4%
85 and over0.6%(3)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,875
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $57,250 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,549
−40%vs 2000
vs $20,936 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
2.4%
−3.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$57,700
−38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $121,800 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$294
−32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $572 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
81.1%
+8.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 72.2% in 2000
18.9% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ely on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.2%(1,117)
Black0.3%(4)
Hispanic / Latino1%(11)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
1990
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(503)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(11)
Asian0.4%(2)
Other0.4%(2)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Asian origin
Korean0%(1)
Ancestry
German40.7%(889)
Irish16.7%(364)
Czech13.1%(287)
English11%(241)
American5.2%(114)
Norwegian4.4%(97)
Swedish2.7%(59)
Scottish1.6%(35)
Polish1.2%(26)
Danish1%(22)
Dutch1%(21)
French1%(21)
+ 12 more ancestry groups with data
Nigerian0.8%(17)
Belgian0.7%(15)
British0.4%(9)
Russian0.3%(6)
Welsh0.3%(6)
Finnish0.2%(5)
Slovak0.2%(5)
Swiss0.2%(5)
Austrian0.2%(4)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Czech population · Largest English population · Largest American population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.2%
−11.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 26.1% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
81.9%
−10.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 92.5% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
3.3%
−1.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 4.3% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+70%vs 2000
vs 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married24.2%(203)
Married65%(546)
Widowed4.8%(40)
Divorced6.1%(51)
Women 15+
Never married16.1%(127)
Married65.8%(518)
Widowed3.4%(27)
Divorced14.6%(115)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ely

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Pop 2,675
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Head to head

Compare Ely to nearby cities

ELY VS
Cedar Rapids
Income$70,424+121%
Home value$187,100+224%
Population137,935+5730%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELY VS
North Liberty
Income$102,102+220%
Home value$303,800+427%
Population21,976+829%
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ELY VS
Marion
Income$86,743+172%
Home value$241,700+319%
Population42,732+1706%
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ELY VS
Coralville
Income$69,144+117%
Home value$298,500+417%
Population23,960+913%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ely, Iowa?

Ely, Iowa has about 507 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Ely, Iowa?

The typical household in Ely, Iowa earns about $31,875 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ely, Iowa expensive?

In Ely, Iowa, the median home is worth about $57,700, and the typical rent is about $294 a month.

How educated are people in Ely, Iowa?

About 14.2% of adults age 25 and over in Ely, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ely, Iowa?

About 2.4% of people in Ely, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →