Cresco, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cresco, Iowa had a total population of 3,908, the 104th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,608, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Cresco Quick Facts
How Cresco 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 | 3,901 | 3,908 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $60,769 | $60,608 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $105,200 | $117,200 | +11.4% |
How Cresco 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+)
Cresco Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Howard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elma | 659 | $44,375 | 18.8% | $81,300 |
| Lime Springs | 442 | $53,750 | 9.3% | $99,100 |
| Chester | 150 | $63,438 | 9.3% | $120,800 |
Cities Similar to Cresco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukon | 3,792 | $60,269 | $147,200 | 25.7% | 10.0% |
| Jefferson | 4,152 | $58,895 | $155,800 | 21.1% | 7.3% |
| West Liberty | 3,776 | $69,345 | $180,000 | 16.2% | 11.3% |
| Eagle Grove | 3,593 | $63,125 | $104,600 | 21.2% | 30.2% |
| Emmetsburg | 3,648 | $55,833 | $114,300 | 14.0% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Cresco is a small community located in Iowa, within Howard County. The total population is 3,908. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cresco is 38.5 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cresco is $60,608. This is 19% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.4%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $117,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Cresco is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cresco has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cresco, 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 Cresco, Iowa?
Cresco, Iowa has a population of 3,908 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cresco, IA?
The median household income in Cresco is $60,608, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cresco, IA?
The poverty rate in Cresco is 13.4%. This means approximately 511 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cresco, Iowa?
Cresco's population is 93.2% White, 0.1% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cresco, IA?
The median home value in Cresco is $117,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Cresco, Iowa?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Cresco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.