City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Peterson, IA

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

373
Residents
$76,875
Median income
$86,700
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Peterson - the verdict

Nationally, Peterson sits in the 58th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

58th
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
6th
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: Peterson, IA

Iowa's Peterson is a small town, with 373 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Peterson brings in $76,875 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.1%. Home values in Peterson run a median of $86,700, and the median resident age is 37.6 years. Educational attainment runs 22.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 71.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits).

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 $919 per month statewide. 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 36.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

373 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$76,875 /yr

Poverty 1.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Peterson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% 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

Each percentile compares Peterson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Peterson near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Peterson ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Peterson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#216 of 845
74th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#634 of 849
25th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#738 of 858
13th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#255 of 858
70th percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

58thIncome percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Peterson's home value compares nationally

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

$86,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Peterson $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 - Peterson, IA Peterson, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Peterson, 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 Peterson, IA median $76,875/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%
Peterson, 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 Peterson, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 71.9%

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

Population
373
Median Income
$76,875
Median Home Value
$86,700
Median Age
37.6
Poverty Rate
1.1%
Labor force participation
71.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.4%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
310 residents315 residents320 residents325 residents 202020212022202320242025 319 residents 313 residents ▼ -1.9%
Peterson'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 1
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.7%
Carpool
4.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
4.4%
Other
1.0%

Based on 204 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 Peterson 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
36.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Libertyville
373 people
Mingo
373 people
Lorimor
375 people
New Vienna
377 people
Mondamin
378 people
Protivin
368 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Peterson's 373 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cornfields, AZ
373 people
Meadowview Estates, KY
373 people
Sacramento, KY
373 people
Castor, LA
373 people
Essex, MO
373 people
Kings Point, MT
373 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Peterson's $76,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Springtown, AR
$76,875 median income
Yankee Hill, CA
$76,875 median income
Bismarck, IL
$76,875 median income
Gifford, IL
$76,875 median income
Pesotum, IL
$76,875 median income
White City, IL
$76,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Peterson, 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 Peterson, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.9% White 98.4% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 0.0% 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 Peterson 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
Peterson (this city) 373 $76,875
Libertyville 373 $74,107
Mingo 373 $61,806
Lorimor 375 $43,281
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Peterson, IA?

What is the population of Peterson, IA? +

The population of Peterson, IA stands at 373 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Peterson is $76,875 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Peterson? +

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

Peterson's median home value sits at $86,700, 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.