Cotter, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cotter, Iowa had a total population of 31, the 979th largest city in Iowa. The poverty rate is 34.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Cotter Quick Facts
How Cotter 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 | 23 | 31 | +34.8% |
| Median home value | $108,300 | $112,500 | +3.9% |
How Cotter 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cotter Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Louisa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Junction | 2,110 | $63,828 | 10.3% | $125,800 |
| Wapello | 1,765 | $72,708 | 6.4% | $143,900 |
| Morning Sun | 802 | $56,350 | 11.3% | $102,200 |
| Grandview | 449 | $57,625 | 9.6% | $142,400 |
| Letts | 361 | $76,538 | 3.3% | $122,400 |
| Columbus City | 323 | $89,875 | 5.9% | $111,600 |
| Fredonia | 240 | $85,625 | 32.5% | $71,700 |
| Oakville | 204 | $63,750 | 22.1% | $77,500 |
Cities Similar to Cotter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottosen | 31 | $41,667 | $50,000 | 14.8% | 22.6% |
| Clio | 32 | $69,375 | $90,000 | 34.4% | 9.4% |
| Gruver | 30 | $58,750 | $75,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Maloy | 30 | $59,750 | N/A | 21.7% | 0.0% |
| New Haven | 30 | $45,417 | N/A | 0.0% | 50.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 31, Cotter's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cotter is a small community located in Iowa, within Louisa County. The total population is 31. It ranks as the 979th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cotter is 60.7 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 34.5%. This is 211% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cotter, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $112,500. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cotter is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.3% vs 7.3%).
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 60.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cotter, 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 Cotter, Iowa?
Cotter, Iowa has a population of 31 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cotter, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cotter — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cotter, IA?
The poverty rate in Cotter is 34.5%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cotter, Iowa?
Cotter's population is 67.7% White, 0.0% Black, 32.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cotter, IA?
The median home value in Cotter is $112,500.
How educated is Cotter, Iowa?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Cotter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.