Population 178 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Cotter
Household size in Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.74 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.26 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Cotter holds 2.74 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.48, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.6 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.7 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.8 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.2 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.8, Cotter is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees.
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.6% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 3.8% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Cotter: 3.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally.
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 Cotter
Renters in Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.2% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.2% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.8% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Cotter is largely a place of homeowners: only 22.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. More than half of owners (53.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.1% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Cotter as nationally: 10.6%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in Iowa overall (8.8%).
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1951 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1959 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Cotter is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1959, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates.
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $659 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $697 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $525 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,102 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$444 | +$351 | +$606 |
Rent in Cotter runs $1,102 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in Iowa overall ($1,020). Rent takes 20.6% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Cotter
Bachelor's degrees in Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.6% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Cotter: 23.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.7% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.6% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.8% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.3% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Cotter is close to the national rate: 88.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Iowa overall (93.0%).
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 Cotter
| Period | Cotter | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.7% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.7% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.7% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Cotter is close to the national rate: 5.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Iowa overall (3.7%). 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).
Cotter compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotter | 2.74 | 46.8 | 3.8% | 22.8% | 10.6% | 1959 | $1,102 | 23.3% | 88.3% | 5.7% |
| Haskins | 2.76 | 41.8 | 2.6% | 18.0% | 7.2% | 1938 | $1,102 | 16.0% | 93.7% | 2.0% |
| Columbus City | 2.61 | 41.1 | 6.3% | 14.2% | 10.4% | 1964 | $756 | 15.9% | 79.9% | 4.2% |
| Columbus Junction | 2.99 | 35.4 | 7.8% | 23.4% | 11.9% | 1969 | $793 | 19.0% | 75.6% | 3.9% |
| Wyman | 2.20 | 57.3 | 3.6% | 17.8% | 20.3% | 1942 | $1,107 | 20.2% | 92.4% | 0.3% |
| Crawfordsville | 2.69 | 50.4 | 5.0% | 12.2% | 12.5% | 1948 | $767 | 18.1% | 96.8% | 1.0% |
| Ainsworth | 2.78 | 40.0 | 2.2% | 19.2% | 6.9% | 1938 | $1,180 | 15.7% | 93.3% | 2.1% |
| Fredonia | 3.38 | 34.4 | 4.0% | 16.9% | 20.0% | 1962 | $925 | 27.1% | 83.4% | 2.8% |
| Gladwin | 3.10 | 38.3 | 4.5% | 23.5% | 2.6% | 1972 | $1,069 | 25.1% | 88.2% | 7.7% |
| Conesville | 2.50 | 45.1 | 3.4% | 14.9% | 8.1% | 1969 | $985 | 20.4% | 92.3% | 3.4% |
| Winfield | 2.20 | 43.7 | 5.0% | 26.6% | 7.0% | 1954 | $692 | 20.2% | 94.3% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Pritchett, CO · Roanoke, NY · Carpenterville, OR · Carroll, PA · Roans Prairie, TX · Casey Creek, KY · Roark, KY · Roberts, IN · Putnam, OK · Putnam Heights, CT
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 Cotter. 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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