County · Iowa
Cedar County, Iowa
Cedar County, Iowa. Cedar County had 18,359 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 11 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 19031.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,359
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,505 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,349
Median household income
$80,602
±$2,675 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$211,300
±$11,220 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$879
±$33 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Cedar County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,505 residents in Cedar County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,359 for July 1, 2025, down 0.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,349 over 579 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cedar County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,349 | 3,210,507 | −108 |
| Households | 7,622±184 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,300±33 | 1,437,699 | +119 |
Cedar County's population since 2000
From 18,187 in 2000 to 18,359 in 2025: up 0.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cedar County?
Cedar County holds 11 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Tipton with 3,060 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tipton | 3,149 | $61,115 |
|---|---|---|
| West Branch | 2,509 | $92,209 |
| Durant | 1,871 | $81,625 |
| Clarence | 1,039 | $56,250 |
| Mechanicsville | 1,020 | $70,000 |
| Lowden | 807 | $56,118 |
| Stanwood | 637 | $63,264 |
| Bennett | 347 | $69,375 |
| RochesterGEOID 1967890 | 142 | not published |
| DowneyGEOID 1922260 | 112 | not published |
| Wilton | 2,924 | $76,648 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cedar County?
The median resident of Cedar County is 44.0 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.8%. 0.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cedar County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0±0.4 | 38.6 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 21.1%±0.2 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 7.3% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.2%±0.5 pts | 82.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.2%±1.3 pts | 5.0% | +2.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.7%±0.8 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.7%±2.3 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cedar County earn?
Half of Cedar County's 7,622 households earn less than $80,602 a year (±$2,675), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $83,435 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cedar County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,602±$2,675 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,864±$4,769 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,417±$2,095 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3%±1.3 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.0%±3.0 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.6%±2.1 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cedar County?
Owners occupy 81.5% of Cedar County's occupied homes and renters 18.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $211,300 by its owner (±$11,220). The median renter pays $879 a month including utilities, and 43.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cedar County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $211,300±$11,220 | $208,000 | +$19,312 |
| Median gross rent | $879±$33 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.9%±7.4 pts | 35.2% | +27.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,520±$57 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.5%±2.1 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,300±33 | 1,437,699 | +119 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4%±2.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.2%±2.3 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4%±1.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 34.9%±3.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cedar County building?
Builders took permits for 67 new housing units across Cedar County in 2025 (22 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cedar County get to work?
78.2% of Cedar County's workers drive alone and 12.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Cedar County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.6%±1.9 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±0.8 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.2%±3.1 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.9%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.1%±2.3 pts | 11.3% | +4.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.7 min±1.5 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cedar County's census tracts?
Cedar County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $63,125 (Tract 4503) to $91,131 (Tract 4505).
| Tract 450119031450100 | 2,769±240 | $75,446 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 450219031450200 | 3,498±296 | $80,028 |
| Tract 450319031450300 | 3,464±179 | $63,125 |
| Tract 450419031450400 | 2,869±205 | $85,742 |
| Tract 450519031450500 | 5,749±336 | $91,131 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cedar County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 38th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 43rd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 36th of 99 |
| Median household income | 12th of 99 |
| Median home value | 19th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 29th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 88th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 99 |
| Median age | 18th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cedar County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.