Carter Lake city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Carter Lake city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 3,773. It ranks as the 107th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carter Lake city is 40.1 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carter Lake city is $75,037. This is 3% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $161,200. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Carter Lake city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Carter Lake city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.9%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.9% vs 7.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carter Lake city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.