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Oldest Cities in Iowa

Top 86 cities ranked by oldest cities

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All Countries  ·  United States  ·  Iowa

Oldest Cities — Iowa

1 Manchester 49.4
2 Clear Lake 49.2
3 Centerville 47.2
4 Cherokee 44.4
5 Oelwein 44.0
6 Fort Madison 43.9
7 Newton 43.2
8 Algona 43.1
9 Carroll 43.0
10 Mason City 43.0
11 Atlantic 43.0
12 Clinton 42.8
13 Burlington 42.8
14 Charles City 42.7
15 Glenwood 42.3
16 Knoxville 42.2
17 Windsor Heights 41.5
18 Spencer 41.3
19 Independence 41.2
20 Pleasant Hill 41.1
21 Eldridge 41.0
22 Anamosa 40.9
23 Clarinda 40.9
24 Spirit Lake 40.6
25 Estherville 40.5
26 Fairfield 40.5
27 Marion 40.4
28 Webster City 40.4
29 Keokuk 40.3
30 Perry 40.2
31 Maquoketa 40.1
32 Nevada 39.9
33 Bettendorf 39.8
34 Creston 39.7
35 Red Oak 39.7
36 Washington 39.6
37 DeWitt 39.2
38 Le Mars 39.1
39 Council Bluffs 39.0
40 Iowa Falls 39.0
41 Urbandale 38.7
42 Boone 38.5
43 Johnston 38.4
44 Dubuque 38.3
45 Fort Dodge 38.2
46 Clive 38.2
47 Osceola 38.2
48 Grinnell 37.9
49 Oskaloosa 37.9
50 Davenport 37.8
51 Ottumwa 37.4
52 Asbury 37.3
53 Polk City 37.0
54 Winterset 37.0
55 Cedar Rapids 36.9
56 Adel 36.8
57 Muscatine 36.7
58 Waterloo 36.6
59 Decorah 36.5
60 West Des Moines 36.5
61 Norwalk 36.5
62 Sergeant Bluff 36.2
63 Mount Pleasant 35.9
64 Sheldon 35.8
65 Marshalltown 35.7
66 Altoona 35.5
67 Sioux City 35.4
68 Indianola 35.2
69 Pella 35.1
70 Des Moines 34.6
71 Waukee 34.4
72 Grimes 34.3
73 Denison 34.0
74 Hiawatha 33.4
75 Ankeny 33.2
76 Coralville 33.1
77 Tiffin 33.0
78 Waverly 32.5
79 Bondurant 32.5
80 North Liberty 31.8
81 Orange City 31.7
82 Storm Lake 31.2
83 Cedar Falls 29.8
84 Sioux Center 29.3
85 Iowa City 26.3
86 Ames 23.3

Cities with the oldest median ages in Iowa often serve as popular retirement destinations or established communities with stable, long-term residents. Manchester has a median age of 49.4 years.

Older median ages can indicate strong healthcare systems, quality of life factors that encourage aging in place, or communities that are particularly attractive to retirees. These cities often feature robust healthcare infrastructure and senior services.

Communities with older populations face unique planning challenges including healthcare capacity, accessibility, transportation for non-drivers, and maintaining a tax base as the workforce ages. Many are adapting their infrastructure and services to meet these evolving needs.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Half of Manchester's residents are over 49.4 years old.
  • 2. Popular retirement destinations in Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas dominate this list.
  • 3. Cities with older populations typically have higher rates of homeownership and longer average residency periods.

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