Cedar Rapids city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Cedar Rapids city is a major urban center located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 136,859. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cedar Rapids city is 36.9 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cedar Rapids city is $67,859. This is 7% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $177,100. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Cedar Rapids city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cedar Rapids city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 3.8%).

Education

32.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% higher 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 94.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cedar Rapids 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.