County

Cherokee County, IA

8 ZIP codes  ·  8 cities  ·  Iowa

👥11,484Population
💰$62,566Median HH Income▼ 18% below avg
🎂45.6Median Age
🏠$140,676Median Home Value▼ 50% below avg
🎓35.8%College Grads▼ 8% below avg
📊3.0%Unemployment▼ 38% below avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 50.2% Female 49.8% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 89.7%Hispanic: 4.7%Black: 1.3%Asian: 0.9%Other: 3.9%Race
White89.7%
Hispanic4.7%
Black1.3%
Asian0.9%
Other3.9%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
5%
5–17
17%
18–24
6%
25–44
23%
45–64
25%
65+
10%

Key Indicators

Median Age45.6 yrs
Avg HH Size2.21
Below Poverty15.2% ▲ 52% above avg
College Grads35.8% ▼ 8% below avg
Unemployment3.0% ▼ 38% below avg
No HS Diploma51 (0.7%)
HS Graduate3,010 (38.7%)
Some College975 (12.5%)
Associates967 (12.4%)
Bachelors1,060 (13.6%)
Graduate Degree1,717 (22.1%)

Education

No HS: 0.7%HS Grad: 38.7%Some College: 12.5%Associates: 12.4%Bachelors: 13.6%Graduate: 22.1%Edu
No HS0.7%
HS Grad38.7%
Some College12.5%
Associates12.4%
Bachelors13.6%
Graduate22.1%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 72.9%Renter: 27.1%Tenure
Owner72.9%
Renter27.1%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
10%
$50k–$100k
23%
$100k–$150k
19%
$150k–$200k
14%
$200k–$300k
22%
$300k–$500k
8%
Over $500k
4%

Financials

Median HH Income$62,566 ▼ 18% below avg
Median Home Value$140,675 ▼ 50% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.2x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$738/mo
Total Housing Units5,519
Vacant Units488

Income Distribution

Under $25k
20%
$25k–$50k
18%
$50k–$75k
18%
$75k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
6%
Over $200k
6%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
89%
Public Transit
1%
Walked
3%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
56%
15–30 min
27%
30–45 min
10%
Over 45 min
7%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
4%
1940s–1950s
14%
1960s–1970s
15%
1980s–1990s
4%
2000+
64%
About Cherokee County, IA

Cherokee County is located in Iowa and encompasses 8 ZIP codes spanning 8 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 11,484 residents. With a median age of 45.63, it is a mature county.

Cherokee County has a solidly middle-class economic profile. The median household income of $62,565 is below the national average. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, below the national average. The poverty rate of 15.2% is above the national average.

Housing in Cherokee County is one of the more affordable housing markets in the country, with a median home value of $140,675 — below the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $737. Homeownership rates are high at 72.9%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.

The residents of Cherokee County are primarily White (89.67%). Educational attainment is moderately educated — 35.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average.

Cherokee County, IA is a solidly middle-class area in Iowa. The 8 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.

ZIP Codes in Cherokee County
ZIPCityPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.College
51005 Aurelia 1,463 $70,761 $171,700 $754 1.7% 43.3%
51012 Cherokee 6,313 $56,964 $127,900 $725 3.2% 33.2%
51014 Cleghorn 561 $62,143 $132,100 $1,327 4.3% 26.3%
51029 Larrabee 226 $79,688 7.1% 14.4%
51035 Marcus 1,664 $75,673 $182,900 $640 1.2% 48.8%
51037 Meriden 365 $62,500 $164,800 $713 0.0% 36.2%
51049 Quimby 469 $52,625 $102,700 $636 3.8% 24.7%
51061 Washta 423 $68,750 $90,600 $607 11.2% 34.6%