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CITY · 2010 ACS

Lester

Iowa · 294 residents · 1.825 sq mi
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The short version

Lester is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $65,556. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $98,300. Poverty is rare here, at 4.8% of residents. Households here earn about 34% more than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 34.0
US median: 37.2
Less educated
7% 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
294
+17%since 2000
from 251 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
161 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 138 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
34.0
−12%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2202532863183511990201020202024Lester
2024340
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,556
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,750 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,848
+14%since 2000
from $17,410 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
34.1%
+21.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
4.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.283
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade20.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade10.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration6.7%
US avg: 4.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction3.4%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,300
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
51.4%
−37.9 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
15.6% rent
Vacancy rate
28.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 28.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
22.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 100.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
1.5
−23%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(249)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2010
White, non-Hispanic93.5%(275)
Black0.3%(1)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(16)
Asian0.3%(1)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score14.5%(43)
Diversity Score
15
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
94.8%
+18.5 ptssince 2000
from 76.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.4 min
+1%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.9%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
7.1%
−11.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
5.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.6%
−17.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Female
49.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.1%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lester, Iowa?

Lester, Iowa has about 294 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lester, Iowa?

The typical household in Lester, Iowa earns about $65,556 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lester, Iowa expensive?

In Lester, Iowa, the median home is worth about $98,300.

How educated are people in Lester, Iowa?

About 7.5% of adults age 25 and over in Lester, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lester, Iowa?

About 4.8% of people in Lester, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lester, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Lester, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 42 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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

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