1st Advantage MortgageLinn County households have a median income of $77,649 and median rent of $945 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
- Getting oriented in Linn County
- How much Linn County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Linn County
- Renting and owning in Linn County
- Towns and communities in Linn County
- How Linn County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Linn County median
- What the numbers mean for Linn County borrowers
- Linn County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Licensing and complaints for Linn County
- Checklist for Linn County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Linn County
Roughly 230,004 residents live in Linn County, Iowa, 2nd by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 717 square miles, that is close to 321 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Cedar Rapids, IA metropolitan area. Of the 18 Census places inside Linn County, Cedar Rapids leads by population with about 137,264; 18 of the 18 are incorporated.
How much Linn County households make
Linn County households have a median income of $77,649 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 20th of 99 in Iowa.
| Income band | Share in Linn County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.0% | -2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.8% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.9% | +1.3 pts |
Some 19% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 9.4%, 2 points lower than the state's 11.1%. None of these numbers decides a Linn County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Linn County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Linn County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Professional and administrative services stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.5% in Linn County. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Linn County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Linn County
Renters in Linn County pay a median of $945 a month, 3% below the Iowa figure of $972. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. Home values center on $214,300, or 2.8 years of median income. 74% of Linn County households own their home and 26% rent. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Linn County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $945/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $214,300 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.4% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Towns and communities in Linn County
18 Census places fall mainly inside Linn County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 211,450 residents, leaving about 8% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $128,750 at the median in Walford, $66,270 in Hiawatha. Live in one of these Linn County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | city | 137,264 | $70,424 | $967 | 9 mi |
| Marion | city | 41,896 | $86,743 | $961 | 2 mi |
| Hiawatha | city | 7,206 | $66,270 | $855 | 5 mi |
| Mount Vernon | city | 4,513 | $112,656 | $780 | 14 mi |
| Robins | city | 3,332 | $122,262 | $956 | 4 mi |
| Fairfax | city | 2,900 | $114,375 | $1,366 | 14 mi |
| Center Point | city | 2,562 | $95,192 | $798 | 12 mi |
| Ely | city | 2,186 | $105,882 | $936 | 14 mi |
| Lisbon | city | 1,714 | $93,906 | $798 | 15 mi |
| Palo | city | 1,438 | $106,375 | $717 | 10 mi |
| Central City | city | 1,356 | $85,400 | $782 | 9 mi |
| Walford | city | 1,329 | $128,750 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Springville | city | 1,172 | $92,656 | $1,125 | 8 mi |
| Alburnett | city | 795 | $105,357 | $591 | 5 mi |
How Linn County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Linn County's, from 24 to 32 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Linn County; Benton County is highest at $86,962 and Jones County lowest at $73,531.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn County | - | $77,649 | $945/mo | 74% |
| Benton County, IA | 24 mi | $86,962 | $826/mo | 85% |
| Jones County, IA | 25 mi | $73,531 | $784/mo | 81% |
| Johnson County, IA | 28 mi | $74,935 | $1,122/mo | 59% |
| Delaware County, IA | 30 mi | $74,989 | $764/mo | 80% |
| Buchanan County, IA | 30 mi | $78,236 | $848/mo | 82% |
| Cedar County, IA | 32 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
Budget math at the Linn County median
Linn County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $6,471 a month: gross income for a household at the Linn County median
- Less median rent of $945, which is 15% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $2,329 total minus rent leaves $1,384
- $1,837: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $945, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Linn County borrowers
Where the Linn County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Linn County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 35% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 4.1%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Measure | Linn County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.7% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.7% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.4% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.5% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Linn County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Licensing and complaints for Linn County
Consumer lenders serving Linn County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Iowa that is the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Checklist for Linn County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Linn County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Linn County household make?
About $77,649 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 3% above the Iowa median.
How does Linn County rent compare with Iowa?
$945 locally versus $972 for the state, 3% below.
Should Linn County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Linn County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Linn County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Robins and 13 more.
Does living in Linn County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Linn County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.