Carter Lake, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carter Lake, Iowa had a total population of 3,767, the 107th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $85,349, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Carter Lake Quick Facts
How Carter Lake Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,773 | 3,767 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $75,037 | $85,349 | +13.7% |
| Median home value | $161,200 | $169,400 | +5.1% |
How Carter Lake Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carter Lake Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Pottawattamie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs | 62,586 | $64,578 | 15.1% | $171,800 |
| Avoca | 1,444 | $73,056 | 7.0% | $173,800 |
| Oakland | 1,408 | $81,354 | 14.2% | $160,200 |
| Walnut | 1,342 | $62,500 | 12.4% | $115,900 |
| Treynor | 1,126 | $121,696 | 5.1% | $263,500 |
| Neola | 1,116 | $73,306 | 6.1% | $205,100 |
| Underwood | 898 | $105,341 | 3.3% | $253,500 |
| Carson | 834 | $73,403 | 8.3% | $181,400 |
| Minden | 630 | $109,167 | 2.4% | $170,500 |
| Crescent | 549 | $116,042 | 0.4% | $283,900 |
Cities Similar to Carter Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Liberty | 3,776 | $69,345 | $180,000 | 16.2% | 11.3% |
| Albia | 3,663 | $70,455 | $130,300 | 24.7% | 14.6% |
| Rock Valley | 4,059 | $76,250 | $231,200 | 16.6% | 9.3% |
| Osage | 3,561 | $68,730 | $160,700 | 26.4% | 6.9% |
| Story City | 3,398 | $96,605 | $215,600 | 44.0% | 12.6% |
Population Overview
Carter Lake is a small community located in Iowa, within Pottawattamie County. The total population is 3,767. It ranks as the 107th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carter Lake is 40.0 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carter Lake is $85,349. This is 14% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $169,400. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Carter Lake is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carter Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (14.3% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
9.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carter Lake, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carter Lake, Iowa?
Carter Lake, Iowa has a population of 3,767 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carter Lake, IA?
The median household income in Carter Lake is $85,349, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carter Lake, IA?
The poverty rate in Carter Lake is 11.5%. This means approximately 434 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carter Lake, Iowa?
Carter Lake's population is 80.0% White, 0.4% Black, 14.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carter Lake, IA?
The median home value in Carter Lake is $169,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Carter Lake, Iowa?
9.5% of adults (25+) in Carter Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.