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
The poverty rate is what most separates Cedar County from the typical county: 3.9% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 18,427 residents, Cedar County is a county in Iowa. It ranks #38 among counties in Iowa by population.
Median household income is $79,080, near the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US counties, at 3.9% — below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $199,700, with typical rent around $860.
21.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. Around 10.1% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 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.