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CITY · 2020 ACS

Iowa City

Iowa · 74,828 residents · 25.763 sq mi
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The short version

Iowa City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,148. Population has grown 20% since 2000. 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $223,900. At a median age of 27.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 27.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
60% 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
74,828
+20%since 2000
from 62,220 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,904 / sq mi
+20%since 2000
from 2,415 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
27.1
+7%since 2000
from 25.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
58K63K68K73K77K1990201020202024Iowa City
202476K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,148
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,977 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,034
+48%since 2000
from $20,269 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.3%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 10%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$223,900
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $121,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$976
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $572 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
45.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
54.3% rent
Afford Score
4.7
+34%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Iowa City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.8%(53,405)
Black3.7%(2,272)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(1,833)
Asian5.6%(3,492)
Other0%
Diversity Score28.5%(17,732)
2020
White, non-Hispanic70.6%(52,796)
Black10.1%(7,574)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(5,451)
Asian7.3%(5,457)
Other2.9%(2,195)
Diversity Score57.6%(43,130)
Diversity Score
58
+102%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
59.6%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 55.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 94.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
29.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.3 min
+69%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
58.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 69.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
47.9%
−24.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
13.7%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−86.7 ptssince 2013
from 91.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Iowa City

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Pop 73,512
Pine Hills
Pop 80,105
Ocala
Pop 71,753
Tamarac
Pop 74,134
Places similar to Iowa City
Head to head

Compare Iowa City to nearby cities

IOWA CITY VS
Coralville
Income$69,144+44%
Home value$298,500+33%
Population23,960−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IOWA CITY VS
North Liberty
Income$102,102+112%
Home value$303,800+36%
Population21,976−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IOWA CITY VS
Cedar Rapids
Income$70,424+46%
Home value$187,100−16%
Population137,935+81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
IOWA CITY VS
Marion
Income$86,743+80%
Home value$241,700+8%
Population42,732−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Iowa City, Iowa?

Iowa City, Iowa has about 74,828 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Iowa City, Iowa?

The typical household in Iowa City, Iowa earns about $48,148 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Iowa City, Iowa expensive?

In Iowa City, Iowa, the median home is worth about $223,900, and the typical rent is about $976 a month.

How educated are people in Iowa City, Iowa?

About 59.6% of adults age 25 and over in Iowa City, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Iowa City, Iowa?

About 27.3% of people in Iowa City, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Iowa City, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Iowa City, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,090 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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