Ely, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ely, Iowa had a total population of 2,186, the 157th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $105,882, which is 41% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.4% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 37.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Ely Quick Facts
How Ely 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 | 2,033 | 2,186 | +7.5% |
| Median household income | $102,262 | $105,882 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $275,800 | $311,900 | +13.1% |
How Ely 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+)
Ely Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Linn County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | $70,424 | 10.8% | $187,100 |
| Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | 8.2% | $241,700 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | 13.7% | $216,900 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,513 | $112,656 | 8.2% | $245,200 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | 8.9% | $413,400 |
| Fairfax | 2,900 | $114,375 | 6.2% | $274,500 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | 5.1% | $212,400 |
| Lisbon | 1,714 | $93,906 | 4.4% | $219,700 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | 5.5% | $282,400 |
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | 3.9% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Ely
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkins | 2,225 | $112,138 | $314,900 | 36.1% | 5.3% |
| Dallas Center | 2,161 | $95,854 | $246,800 | 29.9% | 8.8% |
| Granger | 1,979 | $112,404 | $329,400 | 39.6% | 3.4% |
| Peosta | 2,040 | $120,833 | $336,000 | 42.6% | 2.9% |
| Park View | 2,437 | $113,409 | $276,000 | 59.4% | 2.8% |
Population Overview
Ely is a small community located in Iowa, within Linn County. The total population is 2,186. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ely is 38.1 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Ely has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ely is $105,882. This is 41% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 31% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.4%. This is 78% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $311,900. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Ely is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ely has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ely in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% higher 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 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ely, 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.
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 Ely, Iowa?
Ely, Iowa has a population of 2,186 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ely, IA?
The median household income in Ely is $105,882, which is 31% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ely, IA?
The poverty rate in Ely is 2.4%. This means approximately 53 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ely, Iowa?
Ely's population is 96.8% White, 1.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ely, IA?
The median home value in Ely is $311,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Ely, Iowa?
37.9% of adults (25+) in Ely hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.