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Chester city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 1.8x is exceptionally low

As of 2026, Chester city, Iowa has a total population of 141, the 778th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $57,500, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.

Key Takeaways

Chester city Quick Facts

Population 141
Median Household Income $57,500
Median Home Value $101,800
Poverty Rate 8.5%
Unemployment Rate 2.7%
Median Age 39.5 years
Homeownership Rate 84.5%
Affordability Ratio 1.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.2%
High School Graduation Rate 93.9%
Diversity Index 1/100
Population 141 778th of 1,018
Median Income $57,500 below average
Poverty Rate 8.5% 32% lower national
Median Home Value $101,800 average

How Chester city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

2.7% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6% | National: 5.2%
63.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 84.5%
Renter 15.5%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

1out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 30 | National average: 60

Education

Chester city Rankings in Iowa

#778 Population of 1,018
#637 Median Income of 1,018
#709 Education of 1,018
#555 Home Value of 1,018

Cities Similar to Chester city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Melrose city139$56,250N/A4.1%27.3%
Lucas city137N/A$34,2004.0%23.4%
Prairieburg city140$61,250$98,50014.9%8.0%
Haverhill city144$59,583$116,50021.9%11.9%
Kinross city140$63,750$55,5001.2%11.8%

Population Overview

Chester city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 141. It ranks as the 778th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Chester city is 39.5 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Chester city is $57,500. This is 21% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $101,800. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Chester city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Chester city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.3% of all residents.

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 93.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Chester 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.

Free data download: Get all Iowa city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Chester city, Iowa?

Chester city, Iowa has a population of 141 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Chester city, IA?

The median household income in Chester city is $57,500, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Chester city, IA?

The poverty rate in Chester city is 8.5%. This means approximately 12 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Chester city, Iowa?

Chester city's population is 99.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Chester city, IA?

The median home value in Chester city is $101,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.

How educated is Chester city, Iowa?

12.2% of adults (25+) in Chester city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.