Living in Carter Lake, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Carter Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Carter Lake has 3,767 residents with a median age of 40. The median household income is $85,349 (14% higher than the Iowa median), the median home value is $169,400, the median rent is $1,323/month.
Carter Lake at a glance
- Population
- 3,767
- Median age
- 40State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $85,349State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $169,400State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,323/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 91%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 9.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Carter Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 14% higher than the Iowa median; home values 19% lower than the state median.
Cons: An average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 11.5%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Carter Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Carter Lake the median home value is $169,400, 49% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,323 per month, which is 32.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,387 a month in housing costs.
Carter Lake median household income
The median household income in Carter Lake is $85,349 and the income per person is $38,306. 11.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Carter Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,457
- Owner-occupied
- 91%
- Renter-occupied
- 9%
- Vacant
- 4.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.71
Carter Lake demographics
- Population
- 3,767
- Median age
- 40
- Under 18
- 25.9%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 1,390
- Foreign-born
- 6.3%
- Veterans
- 9.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Carter Lake ›
Education in Carter Lake
9.5% of adults 25 and older in Carter Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 5.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Carter Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 11.6%
- Drive alone
- 81.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.1%
Carter Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter Lake | 3,767 | $85,349 | $169,400 | $1,323 |
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | $171,800 | $1,030 |
| Crescent | 549 | $116,042 | $283,900 | — |
| Omaha | 488,837 | $73,201 | $245,500 | $1,187 |
| Ralston | 6,472 | $69,403 | $230,800 | $1,215 |
| Bellevue | 64,510 | $85,462 | $247,000 | $1,226 |
| La Vista | 16,563 | $81,961 | $260,900 | $1,317 |
| Boys Town | 809 | $73,750 | — | — |
| Offutt AFB | 6,074 | $72,500 | — | $1,666 |
More for people moving to Carter Lake
Carter Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Carter Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Carter Lake, IA?
The median household income in Carter Lake is $85,349, 14% higher than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Carter Lake?
The median home value in Carter Lake is $169,400, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Carter Lake?
The median gross rent in Carter Lake is $1,323 per month, about 32.8% of household income.
Is Carter Lake, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 14% higher than the Iowa median; home values 19% lower than the state median. Minuses: an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%; a poverty rate of 11.5%.
What is the median age in Carter Lake?
The median age in Carter Lake is 40 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Carter Lake?
The average commute to work in Carter Lake is 23 minutes; 11.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Carter Lake?
The unemployment rate in Carter Lake is 3.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Carter Lake?
9.5% of adults in Carter Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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