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CITY

Perry

Iowa · 8,208 residents (2025 est.) · 5.794 sq mi
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The short version

Perry has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $68,910. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $121,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,985
+5%since 2000
from 7,633 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,378 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 1,317 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+13%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,208 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K7K8K9K9K1990201020202024Perry
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,910
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,429 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,832
+112%since 2000
from $15,935 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.3%
+33.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.425
+19%since 2010
from 0.357 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing8.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction8.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance6.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$121,400
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$931
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $473 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2000
from 65.2% in 2000
35.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.9%
−14.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 33.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
−7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Perry on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.9%(5,561)
Black0.9%(65)
Hispanic / Latino24.5%(1,873)
Asian0.7%(55)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.6%(3,783)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61.6%(4,920)
Black0.7%(56)
Hispanic / Latino34.7%(2,772)
Asian0.4%(34)
Other2.5%(203)
Diversity Score62.4%(4,982)
Diversity Score
62
+26%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.1%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.8 min
+89%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 72.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.9%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
74.1%
+10.0 ptssince 2011
from 64.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.4%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.2%
−28.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Female
51.6%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Foreign born
20.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−45.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.5%
−76.7 ptssince 2013
from 83.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.4%
+14.5 ptssince 2017
from 69.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
66.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 63.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
30.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2016
from 34.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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PERRY VS
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PERRY VS
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PERRY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Perry, Iowa?

Perry, Iowa has about 7,985 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Perry, Iowa?

The typical household in Perry, Iowa earns about $68,910 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Perry, Iowa expensive?

In Perry, Iowa, the median home is worth about $121,400, and the typical rent is about $931 a month.

How educated are people in Perry, Iowa?

About 17.0% of adults age 25 and over in Perry, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Perry, Iowa?

About 8.9% of people in Perry, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Perry, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Perry, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,333 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →