Cedar Rapids, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cedar Rapids, Iowa had a total population of 137,264, the 2nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,424, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Cedar Rapids is the 2nd largest city in Iowa with a population of 137,264.
Cedar Rapids Quick Facts
How Cedar Rapids 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 | 136,859 | 137,264 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $70,424 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $177,100 | $187,100 | +5.6% |
How Cedar Rapids 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+)
Cedar Rapids Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | 8.2% | $241,700 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | 13.7% | $216,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Fairfax | 2,900 | $114,375 | 6.2% | $274,500 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Ely | 2,186 | $105,882 | 2.4% | $311,900 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | 5.5% | $282,400 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Cedar Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | 100,913 | $66,200 | $166,400 | 29.9% | 15.2% |
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | $194,700 | 29.7% | 14.9% |
| Sioux City | 86,101 | $68,906 | $173,600 | 22.9% | 15.3% |
| Iowa City | 75,752 | $58,546 | $285,900 | 60.5% | 26.3% |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | $309,000 | 54.9% | 8.4% |
Population Overview
Cedar Rapids is a major urban center located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 137,264. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cedar Rapids is 37.3 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cedar Rapids is $70,424. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 2% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $187,100. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Cedar Rapids is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cedar Rapids is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.5% vs 3.8%).
Education
33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% higher 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 94.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a population of 137,264 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median household income in Cedar Rapids is $70,424, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The poverty rate in Cedar Rapids is 10.8%. This means approximately 14,496 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
Cedar Rapids's population is 77.5% White, 8.5% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median home value in Cedar Rapids is $187,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
33.1% of adults (25+) in Cedar Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.