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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lester

Iowa · 296 residents · 1.825 sq mi
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The short version

Lester has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,563. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $148,200. Poverty is rare here, at 5.8% of residents.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
296
+18%since 2000
from 251 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
162 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 138 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.3
−9%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2202532863183511990201020202024Lester
2024340
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,563
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,750 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,506
+133%since 2000
from $17,410 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
46.4%
+33.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Agriculture, forestry, fishing13%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction13%
US avg: 1.2%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$148,200
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
90.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
9.3% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+6%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(263)
Black0.3%(1)
Hispanic / Latino9.8%(29)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score23.1%(68)
Diversity Score
23
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.7%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.9%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 76.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+19%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.5%
+23.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
75.1%
+9.3 ptssince 2011
from 65.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.7%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Female
45.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.0%
−89.6 ptssince 2013
from 94.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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LESTER VS
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LESTER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lester, Iowa?

Lester, Iowa has about 296 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lester, Iowa?

The typical household in Lester, Iowa earns about $71,563 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 $148,200.

How educated are people in Lester, Iowa?

About 15.7% 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 5.8% 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 44 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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