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CITY · 2020 ACS

What Cheer

Iowa · 607 residents · 1.237 sq mi
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The short version

What Cheer has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,313. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $34,900. Households here earn about 35% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
8% 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
607
−10%since 2000
from 678 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
491 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 548 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
−1%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5606206817428021990201020202024What Cheer
2024580
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,313
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,292 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,123
+15%since 2000
from $16,613 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
11.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.7%
US avg: 10%
Information11.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing6.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing2.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$34,900
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$741
+52%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $325 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.3%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 86.0% in 2000
27.7% rent
Afford Score
0.9
−1%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in What Cheer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(665)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.1%(8)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(571)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(8)
Asian1%(6)
Other0.1%(1)
Diversity Score6.2%(38)
Diversity Score
6
+456%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.8%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.8 min
+10%since 2000
from 26.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
54.3%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 54.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
14.0%
−37.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
52.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−86.8 ptssince 2013
from 90.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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WHAT CHEER VS
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WHAT CHEER VS
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WHAT CHEER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in What Cheer, Iowa?

What Cheer, Iowa has about 607 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in What Cheer, Iowa earns about $40,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is What Cheer, Iowa expensive?

In What Cheer, Iowa, the median home is worth about $34,900, and the typical rent is about $741 a month.

How educated are people in What Cheer, Iowa?

About 7.9% of adults age 25 and over in What Cheer, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in What Cheer, Iowa?

About 19.9% of people in What Cheer, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has What Cheer, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, What Cheer, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 175 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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