Central City, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Linn County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,266 Population 1,183/sq mi density
$81,607 Median Income $36,861 per capita
$166,400 Home Value $296,549 Zillow
$715 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$81,607 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$166,400 home value, $715/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Central City, IA

At a Glance

Median Income
$81,607
9% above
$36,861 per capita
Home Value
$166,400
41% below
Zillow: $296,549
Median Rent
$715/mo
39% below
27.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
18.1%
46% below
97.8% high school+
Unemployment
4.2%
17% above
1.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
35.0%
9% above
14.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
47°F

How Central City Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Central City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
109%
Home Value
59%
Rent
61%
Poverty
12%
Bachelor's
54%
Unemployment
117%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Central City a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.9 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Central City residents earn a median household income of $81,607 , which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $36,861. The unemployment rate stands at 4.2% (17% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 7,760 business establishments, including 543 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Central City is $166,400 , 41% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $296,549. Median rent is $715/month, with 27.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1958.

Education

18.1% of adults in Central City hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below the national average). 97.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Central City has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Data Overview

People

Population1,266
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density1,183/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Foreign Born0.2%
Veterans9.3%

Economy

A
Median Income$81,607
Per Capita$36,861
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$21,899M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,300

Housing

A+
Home Value$166,400
Rent$715
Ownership79.0%
Zillow$296,549
Housing Units565
Rent Burden27.5%

Health

Obesity35.0%
Diabetes9.1%
Smoking14.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death7,001/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
Rain39.1 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation825 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.1%
High School+97.8%
Graduate+2.5%
School Score6.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute30 min
Broadband82.7%
Internet Speed127 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries12

Did You Know?

The median home in Central City was built in 1958.
17.9% work from home.
The nearest airport is Monticello Regional (18 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.446 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
13.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 127 Mbps.
There are 543 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 14 fatal vehicle crashes.