Charles City city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Charles City city is a small city located in Iowa, within Floyd County. The total population is 7,321. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Charles City city is 42.7 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Charles City city is $56,734. This is 22% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $118,900. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Charles City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Charles City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.2%.

Education

15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 94.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Charles City 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.