Ely city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ely city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 2,033. It ranks as the 166th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ely city is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Ely city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ely city is $102,262. This is 40% higher than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.1%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $275,800. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Ely city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ely city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 7.0%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

35.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ely city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 15% higher 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 97.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ely 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.