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CITY

Peterson

Iowa · 313 residents (2025 est.) · 0.519 sq mi
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The short version

Peterson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,333. Population has fallen 20% since 2000, a loss of 74 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $93,500. With a median age of 57.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 4.4% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 57.0
US median: 38.9
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
298
−20%since 2000
from 372 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
574 / sq mi
−20%since 2000
from 717 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
57.0
+23%since 2000
from 46.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:313 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2833273714154591990201020202024Peterson
2024298
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,333
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$47,348
+180%since 2000
from $16,932 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.7%
+36.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.398
+5%since 2010
from 0.380 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services11.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance10.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Information9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade4.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food4.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$93,500
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$983
+87%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $288 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
88.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
11.4% rent
Vacancy rate
16.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 42.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.3
+9%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Peterson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(368)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.7%(10)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.7%(291)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.7%(2)
Diversity Score5.8%(17)
Diversity Score
6
+117%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.6%
+23.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.1%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 86.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.8 min
+27%since 2000
from 20.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.2%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 2.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 64.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.3%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.7%
−92.5 ptssince 2013
from 94.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.8%
+17.9 ptssince 2017
from 66.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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PETERSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Peterson, Iowa?

Peterson, Iowa has about 298 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Peterson, Iowa?

The typical household in Peterson, Iowa earns about $73,333 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Peterson, Iowa expensive?

In Peterson, Iowa, the median home is worth about $93,500, and the typical rent is about $983 a month.

How educated are people in Peterson, Iowa?

About 30.6% of adults age 25 and over in Peterson, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Peterson, Iowa?

About 4.4% of people in Peterson, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Peterson, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Peterson, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 110 residents, a change of about -27 percent over that period.

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

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