Creston city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Creston city, Iowa has a total population of 7,466, the 55th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,752, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Creston city Quick Facts
How Creston city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Creston city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Creston city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington city | 7,314 | $56,536 | $144,500 | 21.4% | 15.0% |
| Charles City city | 7,321 | $56,734 | $118,900 | 15.6% | 13.4% |
| Decorah city | 7,597 | $62,177 | $234,600 | 46.1% | 7.7% |
| Atlantic city | 6,773 | $57,486 | $134,900 | 24.1% | 23.8% |
| Knoxville city | 7,493 | $70,136 | $147,600 | 31.3% | 9.0% |
Population Overview
Creston city is a small city located in Iowa, within Union County. The total population is 7,466. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Creston city is 39.7 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Creston city is $50,752. This is 31% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $112,600. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Creston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Creston city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 Creston 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 Creston city, Iowa?
Creston city, Iowa has a population of 7,466 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Creston city, IA?
The median household income in Creston city is $50,752, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Creston city, IA?
The poverty rate in Creston city is 16.0%. This means approximately 1,152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Creston city, Iowa?
Creston city's population is 93.4% White, 0.4% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Creston city, IA?
The median home value in Creston city is $112,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Creston city, Iowa?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Creston city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.