Median Age
48 Years
Largest Age Group
60-69 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
28%
Clear Lake
Clear Lake, IA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,215
Population
8,651
Renter Mix
27% Rent
A lakefront city brimming with natural beauty and historic charm
Picturesque
•
Lakeside
•
Peaceful
•
Active
•
Family-Friendly
•
Clear Lake is a picturesque small city located roughly halfway between Des Moines and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Clear Lake is centered on a sprawling 3,600-acre lake of the same name, offering a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy, from boating and fishing to camping and hiking.
Clear Lake touts a small-town atmosphere, with plenty of year-round community events and a historic downtown area. Downtown Clear Lake offers an array of antique shops, specialty boutiques, and quaint eateries in a walkable locale comprised of vintage storefronts. Numerous museums preserve Clear Lake’s historic character as well, including the Surf Ballroom and Museum, Clear Lake Fire Museum, and the Iowa Trolley Park Railroad Museum. Getting around from Clear Lake is a breeze with access to U.S. 18 and I-35.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$66,311
Average: $96,894
Education
2,430
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
4,312
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Clear Lake has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
27%
Non-Renters
73%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
23%
Other Education
77%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Clear Lake, IA is $895 for a studio, $1,215 for one bedroom, and $1,257 for two bedrooms. Apartment rent in Clear Lake has increased by 0.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,215/month
744 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Clear Lake, IA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
688 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
334 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
458 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Clear Lake State Park (IA)
- McIntosh Woods State Park
- Lime Creek Nature Center
Top Apartments in Clear Lake
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.