Living in Clear Lake, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Clear Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Clear Lake has 7,607 residents with a median age of 49.1. The median household income is $79,415 (6% higher than the Iowa median), the median home value is $259,500, the median rent is $808/month.
Clear Lake at a glance
- Population
- 7,607
- Median age
- 49.1State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $79,415State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $259,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $808/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 76.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.5%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Clear Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 6% higher than the Iowa median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 2.4%; a poverty rate of 8.3%.
Cons: Home values 25% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Clear Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Clear Lake the median home value is $259,500, 22% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $808 per month, which is 23.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,598 a month in housing costs.
Clear Lake median household income
The median household income in Clear Lake is $79,415 and the income per person is $56,397. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Clear Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,470
- Owner-occupied
- 76.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 23.7%
- Vacant
- 21.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.11
Clear Lake demographics
- Population
- 7,607
- Median age
- 49.1
- Under 18
- 17.4%
- 65 and older
- 27.5%
- Households
- 3,519
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Clear Lake ›
Education in Clear Lake
30.5% of adults 25 and older in Clear Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 10.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Clear Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 2.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 10.2%
- Drive alone
- 79.3%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Clear Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | $259,500 | $808 |
| Ventura | 733 | $91,944 | $389,500 | $1,063 |
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | $142,000 | $882 |
| Fertile | 255 | $65,000 | $143,800 | $858 |
| Hanlontown | 249 | $72,813 | $106,800 | $794 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | $62,900 | — |
| Garner | 3,049 | $70,726 | $186,300 | $740 |
| Thornton | 514 | $67,031 | $115,500 | $839 |
| Manly | 1,320 | $72,813 | $120,300 | $756 |
More for people moving to Clear Lake
Clear Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Clear Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Clear Lake, IA?
The median household income in Clear Lake is $79,415, 6% 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 Clear Lake?
The median home value in Clear Lake is $259,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Clear Lake?
The median gross rent in Clear Lake is $808 per month, about 23.8% of household income.
Is Clear Lake, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 6% higher than the Iowa median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 2.4%; a poverty rate of 8.3%. Minuses: home values 25% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Clear Lake?
The median age in Clear Lake is 49.1 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Clear Lake?
The average commute to work in Clear Lake is 19 minutes; 10.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Clear Lake?
The unemployment rate in Clear Lake is 2.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Clear Lake?
30.5% of adults in Clear 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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