Population 42,632 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cerro Gordo County
Household size in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.19 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.16 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.17 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.15 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Cerro Gordo County are small: just 2.15 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.19, in line with the national trend. Few Iowa counties have smaller households: only two of 99.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.8 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.9 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
Cerro Gordo County skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 42.8 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.4% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Cerro Gordo County than nationally: 9.4%, against 11.6%. The picture is much the same across Iowa.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Cerro Gordo County
Renters in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.4% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.3% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.9% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.6% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About three in ten households in Cerro Gordo County rent their homes (29.6%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. More than four in ten owners (44.0%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southwest. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged up 1.2 points, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.3% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.9% of the housing in Cerro Gordo County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 4.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Cerro Gordo County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1962, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1958 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the north.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $600 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $620 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $720 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $894 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$294 | +$351 | +$606 |
Rent in Cerro Gordo County runs $894 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $294 a month since 2006–10, up 49%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.5% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Cerro Gordo County
Bachelor's degrees in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.2% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Cerro Gordo County: 25.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.8% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.2% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.9% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.9% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Cerro Gordo County: 94.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.1 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Cerro Gordo County
| Period | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Cerro Gordo County has been low: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.8 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Cerro Gordo County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Gordo County | 2.15 | 45.9 | 9.4% | 29.6% | 14.9% | 1962 | $894 | 25.2% | 94.9% | 2.9% |
| Hancock County | 2.26 | 45.9 | 8.8% | 17.5% | 8.8% | 1960 | $795 | 20.4% | 91.4% | 1.9% |
| Floyd County | 2.37 | 43.6 | 9.5% | 23.4% | 11.9% | 1953 | $738 | 18.1% | 95.4% | 3.0% |
| Chickasaw County | 2.36 | 43.1 | 7.5% | 19.1% | 9.6% | 1966 | $717 | 21.3% | 93.7% | 1.7% |
| Kossuth County | 2.22 | 45.3 | 6.2% | 21.4% | 9.7% | 1961 | $1,063 | 23.4% | 95.3% | 2.1% |
| Palo Alto County | 2.27 | 42.0 | 8.1% | 22.9% | 16.7% | 1957 | $690 | 19.3% | 93.6% | 2.3% |
| Winneshiek County | 2.25 | 44.8 | 4.2% | 25.8% | 11.2% | 1962 | $890 | 31.7% | 96.1% | 2.1% |
| Allamakee County | 2.39 | 42.7 | 6.7% | 20.4% | 15.2% | 1968 | $744 | 22.0% | 92.0% | 2.6% |
| Clay County | 2.25 | 43.2 | 6.1% | 26.7% | 11.4% | 1963 | $800 | 27.3% | 93.2% | 3.5% |
| Crawford County | 2.29 | 47.5 | 8.3% | 22.8% | 19.4% | 1977 | $809 | 18.7% | 92.7% | 3.0% |
| O'Brien County | 2.39 | 41.4 | 6.6% | 23.9% | 10.9% | 1961 | $789 | 22.2% | 90.3% | 1.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: DeKalb County, IN · Tallapoosa County, AL · Coles County, IL · Colleton County, SC · Columbia County, OR · Sweetwater County, WY · Susquehanna County, PA · St. Charles Parish, LA · Davie County, NC · Coamo Municipio, PR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Cerro Gordo County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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