Living in Central City, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Central City · Census data 2020–2024
Central City has 1,356 residents with a median age of 36.8. The median household income is $85,400 (14% higher than the Iowa median), the median home value is $179,700, the median rent is $782/month.
Central City is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Central City at a glance
- Population
- 1,356
- Median age
- 36.8State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $85,400State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $179,700State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $782/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 77.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.6%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Central City a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 14% higher than the Iowa median; home values 14% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 3.9%.
Cons: An average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Central City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Central City the median home value is $179,700, 46% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $782 per month, which is 17% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,551 a month in housing costs.
Central City median household income
The median household income in Central City is $85,400 and the income per person is $38,158. 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Central City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 576
- Owner-occupied
- 77.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 22.2%
- Vacant
- 5.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1959
- Average household size
- 2.49
Central City demographics
- Population
- 1,356
- Median age
- 36.8
- Under 18
- 24.9%
- 65 and older
- 17.8%
- Households
- 544
- Foreign-born
- 0.4%
- Veterans
- 8.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Central City ›
Education in Central City
18.6% of adults 25 and older in Central City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 3.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Central City
- Unemployment rate
- 4.1%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 19.9%
- Drive alone
- 67%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.3%
Central City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | $179,700 | $782 |
| Coggon | 744 | $76,250 | $164,700 | $756 |
| Prairieburg | 143 | $45,000 | $97,700 | — |
| Alburnett | 795 | $105,357 | $199,200 | $591 |
| Ryan | 346 | $60,625 | $155,400 | $850 |
| Stone City | 154 | $179,167 | $535,700 | — |
| Springville | 1,172 | $92,656 | $182,400 | $1,125 |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | $241,700 | $961 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | $413,400 | $956 |
More for people moving to Central City
Central City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Central City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Central City, IA?
The median household income in Central City is $85,400, 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 Central City?
The median home value in Central City is $179,700, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Central City?
The median gross rent in Central City is $782 per month, about 17% of household income.
Is Central City, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 14% higher than the Iowa median; home values 14% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 3.9%. Minuses: an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%.
What is the median age in Central City?
The median age in Central City is 36.8 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Central City?
The average commute to work in Central City is 28 minutes; 19.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Central City?
The unemployment rate in Central City is 4.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Central City?
18.6% of adults in Central City 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.
Last updated: