Living in Charles City, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charles City · Census data 2020–2024
Charles City has 7,232 residents with a median age of 42. The median household income is $59,180 (21% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $115,400, the median rent is $735/month.
Charles City at a glance
- Population
- 7,232
- Median age
- 42State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $59,180State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $115,400State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $735/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 67.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.8%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Charles City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 45% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 13.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Charles City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charles City the median home value is $115,400, 65% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $735 per month, which is 29.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,144 a month in housing costs.
Charles City median household income
The median household income in Charles City is $59,180 and the income per person is $30,770. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Charles City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,703
- Owner-occupied
- 67.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.1%
- Vacant
- 13%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.18
Charles City demographics
- Population
- 7,232
- Median age
- 42
- Under 18
- 22.1%
- 65 and older
- 23.5%
- Households
- 3,223
- Foreign-born
- 3.9%
- Veterans
- 9.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charles City ›
Education in Charles City
12.8% of adults 25 and older in Charles City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charles City
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.1%
- Drive alone
- 81.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.4%
Charles City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | $735 |
| Floyd | 315 | $63,393 | $107,700 | $700 |
| Nashua | 1,622 | $66,597 | $129,600 | $756 |
| Ionia | 336 | $73,945 | $95,700 | $533 |
| Marble Rock | 191 | $65,625 | $76,000 | $822 |
| Rudd | 481 | $75,833 | $111,600 | $859 |
| Greene | 1,339 | $56,335 | $120,700 | $1,054 |
| North Washington | 134 | $71,964 | $135,000 | — |
| Rockford | 839 | $65,428 | $94,600 | $831 |
More for people moving to Charles City
Charles City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charles City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charles City, IA?
The median household income in Charles City is $59,180, 21% lower 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 Charles City?
The median home value in Charles City is $115,400, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Charles City?
The median gross rent in Charles City is $735 per month, about 29.8% of household income.
Is Charles City, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 45% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 13.3%.
What is the median age in Charles City?
The median age in Charles City is 42 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Charles City?
The average commute to work in Charles City is 15 minutes; 5.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charles City?
The unemployment rate in Charles City is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charles City?
12.8% of adults in Charles 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.
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