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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ely

Iowa · 2,328 residents · 1.686 sq mi
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The short version

Ely is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $94,773. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 1,179 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $229,800. Poverty is rare here, at 6.0% of residents. Households here earn about 53% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 34.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,328
+103%since 2000
from 1,149 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,381 / sq mi
+103%since 2000
from 681 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
34.9
+9%since 2000
from 31.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3258711K2K3K1990201020202024Ely
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$94,773
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,250 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,264
+68%since 2000
from $20,936 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
59.4%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.8%
US avg: 10%
Information9.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$229,800
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$738
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $572 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.7%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
18.3% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+14%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score3.7%(43)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.2%(2,170)
Black0.7%(16)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(53)
Asian0.7%(17)
Other2.8%(66)
Diversity Score15.6%(364)
Diversity Score
16
+322%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.0%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 26.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 92.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+108%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 2.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
77.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 80.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
41.0%
−26.2 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
48.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.2%
−96.1 ptssince 2013
from 96.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ely

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Head to head

Compare Ely to nearby cities

ELY VS
Cedar Rapids
Income$70,424−26%
Home value$187,100−19%
Population137,935+5730%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELY VS
North Liberty
Income$102,102+8%
Home value$303,800+32%
Population21,976+829%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELY VS
Marion
Income$86,743−8%
Home value$241,700+5%
Population42,732+1706%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ELY VS
Coralville
Income$69,144−27%
Home value$298,500+30%
Population23,960+913%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ely, Iowa?

Ely, Iowa has about 2,328 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ely, Iowa?

The typical household in Ely, Iowa earns about $94,773 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 $229,800, and the typical rent is about $738 a month.

How educated are people in Ely, Iowa?

About 34.0% 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 6.0% of people in Ely, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ely, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Ely, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,821 residents, a change of about 359 percent over that period.

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

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