Cherokee County, Iowa Housing Market
In Cherokee County, Iowa, the median home value is $158,700, with a median monthly rent of $758. This places Cherokee County at #2048 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #53 within Iowa.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $986
- Establishments: 398
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 14
- Multi-family: 42
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 4,996 (avg $72,175)
- Outflow: 4,719 (avg $73,274)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 2 active ZIP codes in Cherokee County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51025 | 255.4 | — | 2025 |
| 2 | 51012 | 257.1 | +7.67% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
📝 Editor's Insight
None
💰 Ready to Finance a Purchase?
See the 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits for Cherokee County, plus monthly payment estimates at today's mortgage rates.
View Mortgage Guide for Cherokee County →How Cherokee County Compares
| Metric | Cherokee County | Iowa Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $158,700 | $171,037 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $758 | $832 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 75.5% | 75.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 17.4 | 17.0 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Cherokee County is 7.2% below the Iowa state average and 30.3% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $758/month is 8.9% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 17.4, the buy-vs-rent decision in Cherokee County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Cherokee County has an owner-occupancy rate of 75.5%, compared to 75.8% in Iowa and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County | Indiana | $158,700 | $855 |
| Roscommon County | Michigan | $158,700 | $816 |
| Maverick County | Texas | $158,700 | $859 |
| Greenlee County | Arizona | $158,600 | $648 |
| Decatur County | Georgia | $158,800 | $838 |
Other Counties in Iowa
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista County | $159,500 | $894 | 73.2% |
| Mahaska County | $157,800 | $793 | 68.0% |
| Adair County | $160,400 | $799 | 73.9% |
| Clinton County | $160,600 | $850 | 74.5% |
| Hamilton County | $156,400 | $877 | 73.4% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).