Living in Chelsea, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chelsea · Census data 2020–2024
Chelsea has 404 residents with a median age of 31.6. The median household income is $40,313 (46% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $43,500.
Chelsea is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Chelsea at a glance
- Population
- 404
- Median age
- 31.6State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $40,313State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $43,500State: $208,000
- Homeowners
- 96.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 6.6%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Is Chelsea a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 79% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.6%.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 33 minutes; a poverty rate of 25.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chelsea
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chelsea the median home value is $43,500, 87% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,521 a month in housing costs.
Chelsea median household income
The median household income in Chelsea is $40,313 and the income per person is $22,694. 25.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Chelsea: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 131
- Owner-occupied
- 96.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 3.7%
- Vacant
- 16.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 3.71
Chelsea demographics
- Population
- 404
- Median age
- 31.6
- Under 18
- 42.3%
- 65 and older
- 9.9%
- Households
- 109
- Foreign-born
- 21%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chelsea ›
Education in Chelsea
6.6% of adults 25 and older in Chelsea have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 1.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chelsea
- Unemployment rate
- 2.6%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 33 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 3.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.4%
- Public transit
- 0.8%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 63.3%
Chelsea vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 404 | $40,313 | $43,500 | — |
| Belle Plaine | 2,380 | $73,656 | $113,900 | $890 |
| Elberon | 143 | $57,188 | $110,000 | — |
| Holiday Lake | 397 | $82,868 | $284,800 | — |
| Hartwick | 114 | $83,750 | $90,000 | — |
| Tama | 3,051 | $68,661 | $106,800 | $832 |
| Toledo | 1,966 | $53,333 | $118,400 | $887 |
| Clutier | 426 | $65,156 | $61,800 | $1,577 |
| Luzerne | 120 | $100,357 | $66,300 | — |
More for people moving to Chelsea
Chelsea ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chelsea: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chelsea, IA?
The median household income in Chelsea is $40,313, 46% 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 Chelsea?
The median home value in Chelsea is $43,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
Is Chelsea, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 79% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.6%. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 33 minutes; a poverty rate of 25.2%.
What is the median age in Chelsea?
The median age in Chelsea is 31.6 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Chelsea?
The average commute to work in Chelsea is 33 minutes; 3.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chelsea?
The unemployment rate in Chelsea is 2.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chelsea?
6.6% of adults in Chelsea 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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