Cedar County, Iowa Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 38th-largest in Iowa
The population of Cedar County, Iowa is 18,427 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 38th-largest county in Iowa. The median household income is $79,080, the median home value is $199,700, and the median age is 43.8.
The population of Cedar County has declined 1.2% since 2010 (18,453 → 18,231), a -0.09% annualized rate.
18,427
Population
-0.09%
Annual growth
32
People / sq mi
$79,080
Median Income
$199,700
Median Home Value
Cedar County covers 579 sq mi of land at 31.8 people per square mile.
About Cedar County, IA
Cedar County is a county in Iowa with a population of 18,427. It ranks #38 among counties in Iowa by population. The median age is 43.8, older than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The median household income in Cedar County is $79,080, above the US median of $74,580. 3.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $199,700, with monthly rent averaging $860. The homeownership rate of 80.8% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Cedar County reflects 21.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 10.1% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.4 minutes each way.
Cedar County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Cedar County had a population of 18,453 in 2010 and 18,231 in 2024, a -1.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,541 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: -0.09%.
18,231
Population (2024)
18,453
Population (2010)
18,541
Peak (2019)
-0.09%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,453 |
| 2011 | 18,362 |
| 2012 | 18,299 |
| 2013 | 18,229 |
| 2014 | 18,278 |
| 2015 | 18,257 |
| 2016 | 18,351 |
| 2017 | 18,488 |
| 2018 | 18,508 |
| 2019 | 18,541 |
| 2020 | 18,483 |
| 2021 | 18,429 |
| 2022 | 18,331 |
| 2023 | 18,269 |
| 2024 | 18,231 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 95.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
43.8
Median Age
50.2%
Female
49.8%
Male
20.5%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 17.3% · Seniors (65+): 20.5%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $79,080+$5,933 vs state |
| Mean household income | $92,611 |
| Per-capita income | $38,775 |
| Poverty rate | 3.9%-3.0% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 62.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Cedar County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
1.8%
Carpool
82.0%
Public transit
10.1%
Work from home
26.4 min
Avg commute
Housing
$199,700+$3,800 vs state
Median home value
$860
Median rent
80.8%
Homeownership rate
8,238
Total housing units
91.5%
Occupied
8.5%
Vacant
19.2%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
96.2%
With health insurance
90.7%
With broadband internet
16.2%
Foreign-born
8.5%
Veterans (18+)
11.9%
With a disability
98.4%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
95.8%
High School+
21.5%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Iowa
Other counties in Iowa
Part of Iowa
Metro areas in Iowa
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar County, Iowa has a population of 18,427 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 38th-largest county in Iowa. Population density is 32 people per square mile.
The population of Cedar County has declined 1.2% since 2010 (18,453 → 18,231), a -0.09% annualized rate.
The median household income in Cedar County, Iowa is $79,080, with mean (average) household income of $92,611 and per-capita income of $38,775. 3.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Cedar County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (95.4%), Black or African American (0.5%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Cedar County, Iowa is 43.8 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.
The median home value in Cedar County is $199,700 and median monthly rent is $860. 80.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 8,238 total housing units, 8.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Cedar County, Iowa is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.
Des Moines is among the largest cities associated with Cedar County, Iowa, with a population of 212,464.
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Statewide data for Iowa
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Iowa
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.