Living in Chester, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 150 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $63,438 (15% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $120,800, the median rent is $579/month.
Chester is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 150
- Median age
- 34.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $63,438State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $120,800State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $579/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 78.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.2%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 9.3%.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $120,800, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $579 per month, which is 15.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $825 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $63,438 and the income per person is $35,214. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 78
- Owner-occupied
- 78.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 21.5%
- Vacant
- 16.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.31
Chester demographics
- Population
- 150
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 19.3%
- Households
- 65
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 0%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
22.2% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 8.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 2.3%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 2.4%
- Drive alone
- 65.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.2%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 150 | $63,438 | $120,800 | $579 |
| Lime Springs | 442 | $53,750 | $99,100 | $538 |
| Le Roy | 803 | $54,485 | $122,800 | $697 |
| Ostrander | 313 | $74,063 | $146,900 | $768 |
| Riceville | 823 | $44,615 | $112,100 | $1,156 |
| Spring Valley | 2,307 | $66,339 | $160,800 | $915 |
| Cresco | 3,908 | $60,608 | $117,200 | $715 |
| Wykoff | 377 | $65,446 | $143,400 | $823 |
| Elma | 659 | $44,375 | $81,300 | $689 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, IA?
The median household income in Chester is $63,438, 15% 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 Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $120,800, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $579 per month, about 15.4% of household income.
Is Chester, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.3%; a poverty rate of 9.3%. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 34.4 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 32 minutes; 2.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 2.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
22.2% of adults in Chester 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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