1st Advantage MortgageCerro Gordo County households have a median income of $68,189 and median rent of $850 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Iowa before sharing details.
On this page
- Cerro Gordo County by the numbers
- The Cerro Gordo County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in Cerro Gordo County
- Housing costs in Cerro Gordo County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cerro Gordo County
- How Cerro Gordo County compares with nearby counties
- What a median Cerro Gordo County budget can carry
- More Cerro Gordo County figures
- Reading the Cerro Gordo County data as a borrower
- Lender oversight for Cerro Gordo County
- Steps before you apply in Cerro Gordo County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Cerro Gordo County by the numbers
With an estimated 42,632 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cerro Gordo County ranks 13th of 99 in Iowa for population. Land area is 568 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 75 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 12 Census places inside Cerro Gordo County, Mason City leads by population with about 27,050; 10 of the 12 are incorporated.
The Cerro Gordo County job picture
The biggest employer of Cerro Gordo County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 15% locally and 12% for Iowa. The survey's unemployment rate for Cerro Gordo County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 4% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 5.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Cerro Gordo County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -1.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.5% | -2.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Cerro Gordo County
Half of Cerro Gordo County households take in less than $68,189 a year and half take in more, 9% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
| Household income | Cerro Gordo County | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.3% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -1.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Cerro Gordo County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 10.6% of Cerro Gordo County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cerro Gordo County median.
Housing costs in Cerro Gordo County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $850 in Cerro Gordo County versus $972 statewide. 35% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. With a median value of $166,400, a typical Cerro Gordo County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 70% of homes.
| Home costs | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,400 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 3.2% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cerro Gordo County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Cerro Gordo County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 37,949 residents, leaving about 11% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $60,982 in Rockwell to $91,944 in Ventura. Rent is cheapest in Rockwell ($575) and steepest in Ventura ($1,063). None of the 12 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City | city | 27,050 | $64,804 | $882 | 6 mi |
| Clear Lake | city | 7,607 | $79,415 | $808 | 7 mi |
| Rockwell | city | 986 | $60,982 | $575 | 7 mi |
| Ventura | city | 733 | $91,944 | $1,063 | 11 mi |
| Thornton | city | 514 | $67,031 | $839 | 11 mi |
| Plymouth | city | 407 | $80,000 | $831 | 13 mi |
| Meservey | city | 262 | $46,750 | $631 | 16 mi |
| Swaledale | city | 148 | $51,912 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Rock Falls | city | 119 | $71,042 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Dougherty | city | 88 | $45,500 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Portland | CDP | 29 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Burchinal | CDP | 6 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
How Cerro Gordo County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Cerro Gordo County's, from 21 to 32 miles away. Income ranges from $59,894 in Franklin County to $78,008 in Worth County; 4 of these neighbors top Cerro Gordo County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro Gordo County | - | $68,189 | $850/mo | 70% |
| Worth County, IA | 21 mi | $78,008 | $758/mo | 83% |
| Franklin County, IA | 23 mi | $59,894 | $696/mo | 72% |
| Floyd County, IA | 23 mi | $68,557 | $745/mo | 77% |
| Hancock County, IA | 25 mi | $70,601 | $736/mo | 82% |
| Mitchell County, IA | 30 mi | $71,365 | $738/mo | 80% |
| Winnebago County, IA | 32 mi | $67,642 | $717/mo | 71% |
What a median Cerro Gordo County budget can carry
Cerro Gordo County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,682 a month: gross income for a household at the Cerro Gordo County median
- Less median rent of $850, which is 15% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,139 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,707 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
More Cerro Gordo County figures
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.0% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.2% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.5% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Cerro Gordo County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 2.5% |
Reading the Cerro Gordo County data as a borrower
Where the Cerro Gordo County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Lender oversight for Cerro Gordo County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Cerro Gordo County borrowers answers to the Iowa Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Iowa state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Cerro Gordo County
A short checklist for Cerro Gordo County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Cerro Gordo County household make?
About $68,189 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% below the Iowa median.
What do renters pay in Cerro Gordo County?
$850 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Cerro Gordo County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 70% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Mason City?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Cerro Gordo County, such as Clear Lake, Rockwell, Ventura.
Are Cerro Gordo County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.