Clear Lake city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Clear Lake city, Iowa Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Clear Lake city, Iowa has a total population of 7,603, the 52nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,278, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.

Key Takeaways

Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.

Clear Lake city Quick Facts

Population 7,603

Median Household Income $70,278

Median Home Value $235,100

Poverty Rate 7.3%

Unemployment Rate 2.2%

Median Age 49.2 years

Homeownership Rate 74.9%

Affordability Ratio 3.3x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.7%

High School Graduation Rate 96.5%

Diversity Index 13/100

Population 7,603 52nd of 1,018

Median Income $70,278 above average

Poverty Rate 7.3% 41% lower national

Median Home Value $235,100 top 10%

How Clear Lake city Compares

Median Household Income

Clear Lake city

$70,278

$73,147

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Clear Lake city

$235,100

$195,900

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.1%

$25K-$50K 22.5%

$50K-$100K 27.1%

$100K+ 35.3%

Employment

2.2% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6% | National: 5.2%

61.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 74.9%

Renter 25.1%

Affordability Index Affordable

3.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

18.1%

18-34

15.2%

35-54

22.9%

55-74

34.5%

75+

9.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

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

State average: 30 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Clear Lake city Rankings in Iowa

#52 Population of 1,018

#356 Median Income of 1,018

#139 Education of 1,018

#86 Home Value of 1,018

Explore Iowa Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Other Cities in Cerro Gordo County

City	Population	Median Income	Poverty	Home Value
Mason City city	27,135	$62,369	10.6%	$130,000

Cities Similar to Clear Lake city

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

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Knoxville city	7,493	$70,136	$147,600	31.3%	9.0%
Webster City city	7,769	$65,844	$115,400	21.7%	9.5%
Decorah city	7,597	$62,177	$234,600	46.1%	7.7%
Hiawatha city	7,178	$67,628	$210,200	32.4%	15.8%
Perry city	7,928	$63,983	$122,100	14.7%	11.4%

Population Overview

Clear Lake city is a small city located in Iowa, within Cerro Gordo County. The total population is 7,603. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Clear Lake city is 49.2 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Clear Lake city is $70,278. This is 4% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $235,100. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Clear Lake city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.

Education

29.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 96.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Clear Lake 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Clear Lake city, Iowa?

Clear Lake city, Iowa has a population of 7,603 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Clear Lake city, IA?

The median household income in Clear Lake city is $70,278, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Clear Lake city, IA?

The poverty rate in Clear Lake city is 7.3%. This means approximately 551 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Clear Lake city, Iowa?

Clear Lake city's population is 92.9% White, 0.3% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.

What is the median home value in Clear Lake city, IA?

The median home value in Clear Lake city is $235,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Clear Lake city, Iowa?

29.7% of adults (25+) in Clear Lake city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.