City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Iowa City, IA

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

75,264
Residents
$57,533
Median income
$273,600
Median home
$1,141
Median rent (state)

Iowa City - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Iowa City places in the 31st percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

31st
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Iowa City, IA

Iowa City is a small city in Iowa, home to 75,264 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $57,533 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.8%. Home values in Iowa City run a median of $273,600, and the median resident age is 26.3 years. About 60.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 65.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 133 residential building permits were authorized in Iowa City (Construction Slowdown), down 77% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1995.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 48.9°F with 38.5 inches of precipitation per year and 27.5 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,141 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Iowa run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Iowa City workers runs 15.9 minutes, with 56.0% driving alone and 11.2% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

75,264 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$57,533 /yr

Poverty 7.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Iowa City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Iowa City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 31% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Iowa, Iowa City ranks #117 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Iowa City'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.

31stIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

31st percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Iowa City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Iowa City'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Iowa City'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 Iowa City's home value compares nationally

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

$273,600 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Iowa City $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 - Iowa City, IA Iowa City, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA median $57,533/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%
Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 60.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.2%

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

Population
75,264
Median Income
$57,533
Median Home Value
$273,600
Median Age
26.3
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor force participation
65.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
60.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1995.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
321.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1673.8
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
48.9°F
Annual Precipitation
38.5"
Annual Snowfall
27.5"

Schools

Total Schools
17
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
74,500 residents75,000 residents75,500 residents76,000 residents76,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 74,936 residents 76,229 residents ▲ +1.7%
Iowa City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
133
housing units authorized
Single-Family
133
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 569
2020 159
2021 294
2022 466
2023 506
2024 133

Permit volume decreased 77% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.9 minutes
Drive Alone
56.0%
Carpool
7.6%
Public Transit
6.7%
Walk
14.0%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
4.5%

Based on 41,701 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 Iowa City sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,141/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Ankeny
70,542 people
West Des Moines
69,893 people
Waterloo
66,947 people
Ames
66,112 people
Sioux City
85,651 people
Council Bluffs
62,564 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Iowa City's 75,264 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pawtucket, RI
75,280 people
Missouri City, TX
75,234 people
Mansfield, TX
75,398 people
Broomfield, CO
75,110 people
Apple Valley, CA
75,478 people
Missoula, MT
75,600 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Iowa City's $57,533 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gladstone, MI
$57,534 median income
Standing Pine, MS
$57,532 median income
Bellevue, OH
$57,534 median income
Sulphur, OK
$57,531 median income
Fancy Farm, KY
$57,536 median income
Beaumont, TX
$57,530 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.1% 8.4% 6.8% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.1% White 75.1% Black or African American 8.4% Asian 6.8% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.6% Two or more races 6.8% 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 Iowa City 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
Iowa City (this city) 75,264 $57,533
Ankeny 70,542 $106,603
West Des Moines 69,893 $84,925
Waterloo 66,947 $56,344
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Iowa City, IA?

What is the population of Iowa City, IA? +

The population of Iowa City, IA stands at 75,264 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Iowa City, IA? +

Iowa City households earn a median of $57,533 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Iowa City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Iowa City; 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 Iowa City, IA safe? +

Iowa City has a total crime rate of 1995.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Iowa City, IA? +

A typical home in Iowa City is worth $273,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Iowa City? +

The average annual temperature in Iowa City runs 48.9°F, 38.5 inches of precipitation, and 27.5 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.