Cedar Rapids, IA Local Data & Statistics

State: IA

Total population: 137,264 Household income: $70,424 Rent: $967

Overview

Total population

137,264

Rent

$967

Year built

1974

Household income

$70,424

Per capita income

$41,256

Poverty rate

10.8%

Unemployment rate

3.2%

Household size

2.3 persons

Rent over 30% of income

43.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Iowa

Total population

137,264

Adults over 25

93,707

Total households

59,351

Household size

2.3 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$70,424

Per capita income

$41,256

Poverty rate

10.8%

Unemployment rate

3.2%

Rent over 30% of income

43.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$967

Year built

1974

Households that rent

31.5%

Households that own

68.5%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.6

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

79.1%

Black

8.7%

Asian

2.6%

Two or more races

7.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

5.2%

Not Hispanic or Latino

94.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

87.1%

Commute time to work

19 mins

Work from home

12.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

27.1%

High school graduate or GED

27%

Some college or associate degree

12.7%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

33.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Cedar Rapids, IA with: Iowa United States

Cedar Rapids, IA

Total population137,264

Rent$967

Year built1974

Household income$70,424

Per capita income$41,256

Poverty rate10.8%

Unemployment rate3.2%

Iowa State

Total population3,210,507

Rent$972

Year built1972

Household income$75,059

Per capita income$40,877

Poverty rate11.1%

Unemployment rate3%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityCedar Rapids, IA	StateIowa	CountryUnited States
Total population	137,264	3,210,507	334,922,499
Rent	$967	$972	$1,413
Year built	1974	1972	1980
Household income	$70,424	$75,059	$80,734
Per capita income	$41,256	$40,877	$44,673
Poverty rate	10.8%	11.1%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	3.2%	3%	4%

View the complete comparison of Cedar Rapids, IA, Iowa and United States →

Summary for Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids is located in Iowa.

Rent & Income

In Cedar Rapids, the typical monthly rent is $967 and the typical household income is $70,424. Rent here is similar to Iowa and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both Iowa and the U.S. The estimated poverty rate is 10.8%, which is similar to the Iowa rate and lower than the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 31.5% of households. About 43.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 33.1% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is higher than Iowa and lower than the national rate.

Cedar Rapids, IA — Rent vs Household Income

Cedar Rapids, IA — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Cedar Rapids, IA compares in Iowa (11 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$967	3 / 11	from lower rent	$923 – $1,319
Household income	$70,424	3 / 11	from higher income	$57,480 – $108,198
Poverty rate	10.8%	3 / 11	from lower poverty	4.2% – 26.3%
Unemployment rate	3.2%	6 / 11	from lower unemployment	2% – 4.7%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Iowa with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Rent prices put Cedar Rapids in 3rd place among 11 large communities in Iowa. Across Iowa, rents range from $923 in Waterloo, IA up to $1,319 in Ankeny, IA.

Household income

Cedar Rapids ranks 3rd among 11 large places for typical household income. Statewide values run from $57,480 in Waterloo, IA to $108,198 in Ankeny, IA.

Poverty rate

Poverty levels put Cedar Rapids in 3rd place among 11 significant areas. Across Iowa, poverty ranges between 4.2% and 26.3%.

Unemployment rate

For joblessness, Cedar Rapids ranks 6th out of 11 significant areas. Across Iowa, unemployment varies from 2% in Ames, IA to 4.7% in Waterloo, IA.

💰 Rent in Cedar Rapids, IA (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $967 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Cedar Rapids, IA

Annual Household Income: $70,424

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Cedar Rapids, IA

Estimated Rate: 10.8%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Cedar Rapids, IA

In Cedar Rapids, IA, households that rent: 18,692 (31.5%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	18,692	31.5%
Owner-Occupied	40,659	68.5%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Cedar Rapids, IA

In Cedar Rapids, IA, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 8,101 (43.3%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	8,101	43.3%
Other renter households	10,591	56.7%
Total renter households	18,692	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Cedar Rapids, IA

Less than High School: 25,426 people (27.1%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 25,341 people (27%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 11,892 people (12.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 31,048 people (33.1%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 93,707

📊 Unemployment Rate in Cedar Rapids, IA

Estimated Rate: 3.2%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Hampton, VA137,334 Dayton, OH136,741 West Valley City, UT137,955 Columbia, SC138,019 Pasadena, CA136,462 Warren, MI138,128 Miramar, FL135,986 Victorville, CA135,983 Elizabeth, NJ135,887 Stamford, CT135,806

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.