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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Cherokee County

Iowa · 11,658 residents · 576.907 sq mi
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The short version

Cherokee County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,302. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $117,400. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,658
−11%since 2000
from 13,035 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
20 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 23 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.0
+10%since 2000
from 41.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K12K13K14K14K1990201020202024Cherokee County
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,302
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,142 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,882
+89%since 2000
from $17,934 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade14.4%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction10.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$117,400
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$536
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $353 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 73.7% in 2000
23.0% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+21%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cherokee County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(12,749)
Black0.3%(41)
Hispanic / Latino1%(124)
Asian0.4%(56)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.2%(549)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(10,668)
Black0.7%(84)
Hispanic / Latino4.5%(530)
Asian0.5%(57)
Other2.8%(328)
Diversity Score20.1%(2,345)
Segregation Score25.5%(2,977)
Diversity Score
20
+378%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
26
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+51%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 79.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.6%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.1%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 66.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.7%
−26.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
49.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.9%
−85.6 ptssince 2013
from 90.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Cherokee County

Marshall County
Pop 11,473
Cumberland County
Pop 10,208
Cass County
Pop 12,463
Crawford County
Pop 12,206
Places similar to Cherokee County
Head to head

Compare Cherokee County to nearby counties

CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
O'Brien County
Income$68,356+21%
Home value$173,100+47%
Population14,220+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Buena Vista County
Income$71,719+27%
Home value$159,500+36%
Population20,449+80%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Ida County
Income$63,073+12%
Home value$108,900−7%
Population6,777−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHEROKEE COUNTY VS
Plymouth County
Income$83,251+48%
Home value$228,900+95%
Population25,697+126%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cherokee County, Iowa?

Cherokee County, Iowa has about 11,658 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cherokee County, Iowa?

The typical household in Cherokee County, Iowa earns about $56,302 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cherokee County, Iowa expensive?

In Cherokee County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $117,400, and the typical rent is about $536 a month.

How educated are people in Cherokee County, Iowa?

About 22.7% of adults age 25 and over in Cherokee County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cherokee County, Iowa?

About 11.8% of people in Cherokee County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cherokee County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Cherokee County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,440 residents, a change of about -17 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 801.01Census Tract 802Census Tract 801.02Census Tract 804Census Tract 803
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 51012ZIP 51035ZIP 51005ZIP 51014ZIP 51049ZIP 51061ZIP 51037ZIP 51029
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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