City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Cherokee, IA

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

5,157
Residents
$48,693
Median income
$119,400
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Cherokee - the verdict

Nationally, Cherokee sits in the 17th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
17th
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
83rd
percentile, safety
📝 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: Cherokee, IA

Iowa's Cherokee is a small town, with 5,157 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Cherokee brings in $48,693 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.6%. Cherokee's housing stock carries a median value of $119,400, and the median resident age is 44.4 years. Educational attainment runs 18.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 62 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 933% from five years earlier. Cherokee reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 542.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Cherokee's yearly average temperature at 46.7°F with 31.2 inches of precipitation per year and 37.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $919 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 34.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

5,157 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$48,693 /yr

Poverty 18.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Cherokee compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 17% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Cherokee ranks #46 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Cherokee'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.

17thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cherokee's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cherokee's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 63 Avg. percentile National median
Cherokee's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Cherokee's home value compares nationally

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

$119,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 83% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Cherokee $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 - Cherokee, IA Cherokee, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA median $48,693/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%
Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.9%

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

Population
5,157
Median Income
$48,693
Median Home Value
$119,400
Median Age
44.4
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Labor force participation
59.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
542.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
213.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
329.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
31.2"
Annual Snowfall
37.8"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,100 residents5,150 residents5,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,189 residents 5,122 residents ▼ -1.3%
Cherokee's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
62
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
56
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 1
2021 2
2022 4
2023 2
2024 62

Permit volume increased 933% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.0%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
5.1%

Based on 2,447 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 Cherokee sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
34.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Manchester
5,144 people
Windsor Heights
5,171 people
Glenwood
5,118 people
Sergeant Bluff
5,090 people
Iowa Falls
5,062 people
Tiffin
5,271 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cherokee's 5,157 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cut Off, LA
5,157 people
Williamston, NC
5,157 people
Camilla, GA
5,158 people
Bangor, PA
5,158 people
West Hazleton, PA
5,156 people
Smithville, TN
5,158 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cherokee's $48,693 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ellsinore, MO
$48,693 median income
Alsace Manor, PA
$48,693 median income
Colorado, CO
$48,692 median income
Euclid, OH
$48,696 median income
Englewood, TN
$48,688 median income
Mondovi, WI
$48,688 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.9% White 89.7% Black or African American 3.2% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.5% 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 Cherokee 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
Cherokee (this city) 5,157 $48,693
Manchester 5,144 $58,578
Windsor Heights 5,171 $89,083
Glenwood 5,118 $69,320
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cherokee, IA?

What is the population of Cherokee, IA? +

The population of Cherokee, IA stands at 5,157 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Cherokee is $48,693 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cherokee? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cherokee; 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.

Is Cherokee, IA safe? +

Cherokee has a total crime rate of 542.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Homes in Cherokee carry a median value of $119,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Cherokee? +

The average annual temperature in Cherokee runs 46.7°F, 31.2 inches of precipitation, and 37.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.