Cherokee County, Iowa
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Cherokee County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Cherokee County
Income Verdict
Cherokee County has a median household income of $64,478 and per capita income of $37,174 — a gap of $27,304, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $711/month and a median household income of $64,478, rent consumes approximately 13.2% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
With a median household income of $64,478, residents of Cherokee County likely face budget constraints in higher-cost regions but may find cost of living manageable locally. Per capita income of $37,174 is in line with national norms for individual earners.
Neighbor Context
Cherokee County earns approximately 7.7% below the Iowa state median household income of $69,830.
Data Story
About Household Income in Cherokee County, Iowa
Cherokee trails national household income
Cherokee County's median household income of $64,478 falls 13.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking in the lower quartile nationally. The gap reflects the economic realities of rural Iowa, where agricultural and small-town employment typically generates lower wages than national averages.
Below-average earner within Iowa
Cherokee County ranks among Iowa's lower-income counties at $64,478, trailing the state average of $69,830 by $5,352. Its per capita income of $37,174 nearly matches the state average of $37,136, suggesting relatively equitable income distribution across the population.
Lower income than most nearby peers
Cherokee's $64,478 median income ranks below Clay County ($64,082 is close, but Clay's is slightly lower) and clearly below Chickasaw County's $73,421 to the east. The county faces stiffer competition for wage growth in this regional cluster, where Chickasaw emerges as the income leader.
Strongest housing affordability advantage
Cherokee County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among these eight counties—delivers exceptional housing affordability and leaves substantial breathing room for other financial goals. A median home value of $145,100 means most households can achieve homeownership without financial overextension.
Leverage affordability for wealth building
Cherokee's 13.2% housing cost ratio is a powerful wealth-building asset; households earning $64,478 reclaim money monthly that high-cost regions lose to rent or mortgages. Redirect those savings into emergency funds, education investments, or a brokerage account to capture long-term market growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
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Your income is above the Cherokee County median
County median: $64,478 per year
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vs. State Average
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vs. National Median
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Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($5,373) vs. median rent ($711/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.