Population 1,435 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Heights
Household size in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.23 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.17 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.15 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in University Heights has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. That is in line with the rest of Iowa. Household size has climbed from 2.31 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.1 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 26.3 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 28.3 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 27.8 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −2.3 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
University Heights is young: half of its residents are under 27.8, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults in their twenties.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.5% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 2.3% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 1.3% of households in University Heights, well below the national share of 11.6%.
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 University Heights
Renters in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.5% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.1% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.4% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 48.7% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in University Heights than nationally: 48.7% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among owners, 49.3% have paid off their mortgages, 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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.6% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in University Heights: 15.2% of homes are empty, 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.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
University Heights is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,161 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,218 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,433 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,546 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$385 | +$351 | +$606 |
Rent in University Heights runs $1,546 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Iowa overall ($1,020). Rent takes 33.7% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 University Heights
Bachelor's degrees in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.6% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 80.2% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 83.2% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 85.5% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.0 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
University Heights is highly educated: nearly nine in ten adults 25 and older (85.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above 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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.7% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 99.7% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 100.0% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.7% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in University Heights: 98.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.7% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.0% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.8% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in University Heights has been strong: just 1.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. 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).
University Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Heights | 2.46 | 27.8 | 1.3% | 48.7% | 15.2% | 1966 | $1,546 | 85.5% | 98.7% | 1.0% |
| Iowa City | 2.32 | 32.3 | 6.3% | 49.1% | 9.5% | 1984 | $1,206 | 58.7% | 95.3% | 5.1% |
| Coralville | 2.28 | 35.9 | 6.4% | 45.1% | 6.1% | 1994 | $1,153 | 56.5% | 95.8% | 2.1% |
| Hills | 2.18 | 38.7 | 8.9% | 39.7% | 5.3% | 1971 | $1,134 | 26.1% | 95.4% | 2.9% |
| Tiffin | 2.38 | 32.7 | 7.0% | 17.4% | 0.6% | 2011 | $1,200 | 59.8% | 100.0% | 0.5% |
| North Liberty | 2.62 | 34.8 | 8.4% | 31.0% | 6.0% | 2003 | $1,252 | 54.8% | 98.1% | 2.6% |
| Morse | 2.44 | 57.2 | 5.7% | 9.7% | 8.5% | 1986 | $1,255 | 57.2% | 98.8% | 6.6% |
| Sharon Center | 3.53 | 28.8 | 2.4% | 33.3% | 4.5% | 1955 | $1,363 | 32.3% | 79.1% | 0.0% |
| Oasis | 2.24 | 51.5 | 8.8% | 19.4% | 9.0% | 1970 | $1,180 | 36.1% | 96.9% | 1.8% |
| Downey | 2.49 | 48.6 | 11.9% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 1978 | $1,076 | 27.3% | 98.4% | 7.4% |
| Solon | 2.66 | 42.9 | 11.0% | 12.4% | 6.0% | 1994 | $1,170 | 49.8% | 97.7% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Jewett, TX · Ralph, AL · Martinsville, OH · Lyme, NH · Lowry City, MO · Londonderry, VT · Lennon Crossroads, NC · Lamy, NM · Lake Kiowa, TX · Koran, LA
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 University Heights. 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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