City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Chelsea, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chelsea - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

342
Residents
$32,188
Median income
$43,100
Median home
$941
Median rent (state)

Chelsea - the verdict

Nationally, Chelsea sits in the 3rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
0th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chelsea, IA

342 people live in Chelsea, Iowa - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $32,188 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 36.4%. Typical homes in Chelsea are valued around $43,100, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. Educational attainment runs 5.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Iowa scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $941 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 45.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

342 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$32,188 /yr

Poverty 36.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Chelsea compare to other US cities?

Chelsea measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 0% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Chelsea's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Chelsea's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$43,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 100% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chelsea $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chelsea, IA Chelsea, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chelsea, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chelsea, IA median $32,188/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chelsea, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chelsea, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 5.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 36.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
342
Median Income
$32,188
Median Home Value
$43,100
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
36.4%
Labor force participation
56.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
5.8%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
206 residents208 residents210 residents212 residents214 residents216 residents 202020212022202320242025 214 residents 208 residents ▼ -2.8%
Chelsea's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.2%
Carpool
20.7%
Public Transit
4.1%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
4.1%

Based on 121 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chelsea sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$941/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.3 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Holland
343 people
Fort Atkinson
340 people
McCausland
346 people
Lohrville
347 people
Yale
337 people
Sheldahl
348 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's 342 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Macedonia, AL
342 people
Yampa, CO
342 people
Riverton, CT
342 people
Sadorus, IL
342 people
Lakeview Heights, KY
342 people
Trenton, KY
342 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's $32,188 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

French Gulch, CA
$32,188 median income
Carter, MT
$32,188 median income
Whitmire, SC
$32,188 median income
Selma, AL
$32,184 median income
Hanover, NM
$32,194 median income
Van Bibber Lake, IN
$32,195 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chelsea, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chelsea, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.0% 16.1% 21.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.8% White 62.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 16.1% Two or more races 21.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chelsea compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chelsea (this city) 342 $32,188
Holland 343 $71,979
Fort Atkinson 340 $72,083
McCausland 346 $65,625
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chelsea, IA?

What is the population of Chelsea, IA? +

Chelsea, IA counts 342 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chelsea, IA? +

The median household income in Chelsea is $32,188 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chelsea? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chelsea; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Chelsea, IA? +

Chelsea's median home value sits at $43,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.