Cedar County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Cedar County, Iowa, had a population of approximately 18,505. The racial composition was 95.3% White, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Native American, and 1.4% from two or more races. The median household income was around $63,000, and about 8% of the population lived below the poverty line. The population is spread across several towns, including Tipton, the county seat, and Mechanicsville. Cedar County covers a rural area of 579 square miles.

As of 2023, Cedar County, IA, has a median home value of approximately $185,000. The homeownership rate stands at about 80%, with a median monthly mortgage of $1,150. Median rent is around $700 per month. The area has seen a modest annual home value appreciation rate of 2-3%. The housing market is primarily composed of single-family homes, with limited availability in apartments and multi-family units. The average household size is approximately 2.5 persons, and new home construction has been relatively steady.

As of the latest update, Cedar County, Iowa's general elections include various county offices such as Board of Supervisors, County Auditor, County Sheriff, and County Attorney. Typically, these elections occur in even-numbered years. In the 2022 general election, notable candidates included:

• For Board of Supervisors: Dawn Smith (R), Jon Bell (D), and Chris Whitaker (R).
• For County Auditor: Cari Dauber (R).
• For County Sheriff: Warren Wethington (R).

In the 2022 general election, voter turnout in Cedar County was approximately 60% of the registered voters. The total number of registered voters was around 12,234, with about 7,340 people casting ballots. Detailed results and candidate lists are available on the Cedar County Auditor’s official website and through local election offices. The Auditor's office ensures electoral processes comply with state laws, providing transparency and accuracy in election results.

As of the latest available data, Cedar County, Iowa, has a high school graduation rate of around 94.5%, which is higher than the national average of 88% and slightly above Iowa's state average of approximately 92%. In terms of higher education, approximately 26% of Cedar County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This figure is lower than the national average of around 33% and slightly below Iowa's state average of 28%. Despite this, Cedar County's high school completion rate points to a solid foundation in basic education, even if higher educational attainment lags somewhat behind broader averages.

As of recent data, Cedar County, IA, has an employment base primarily concentrated in agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. Key industries are:

1. Agriculture: Cedar County's strong agricultural sector employs around 15% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of 1.3%.
2. Manufacturing: Approximately 20% of Cedar County employees work in manufacturing, above the national average of 8.5%.
3. Healthcare and Social Assistance: This sector employs about 12% of the local workforce, aligning closely with the national average of 13.8%.

Unemployment rates in Cedar County are generally lower than national averages, hovering around 2.7%, compared to the national rate of approximately 4%.

The employment distribution in Cedar County differs notably from state averages, which show less reliance on agriculture and a more diversified economy across various sectors. Iowa's overall employment distribution is also closely matched to national trends except for higher agricultural employment.

As of the latest available data, Cedar County, Iowa, has a median household income of approximately $66,000. In comparison, the median household income in the United States stands at around $68,700, while Iowa's state median is roughly $61,700. Cedar County's income is slightly below the national average but above the state average.

Statistics Table

Cedar County shows a relatively robust economic situation within the state context but falls a bit short of the national median.

As of the latest data available, Cedar County, IA has relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. The overall crime rate in Cedar County is approximately 1,250 incidents per 100,000 people annually. Here's a summary table of crime types and their respective rates:

These figures indicate Cedar County has a relatively low incidence of violent crime, with property crimes being more prevalent.

Sources: Local law enforcement agencies and FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program.