The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Iowa anchored by the city of Iowa City. The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had a population of 171,491 people in the 2017 US Census Bureau population estimate. growing 12.39% compared to 2010. The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is also a part of a Combined Statistical Area (CSA) with the nearby Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This CSA plus two additional counties are known as the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR) region and collectively have a population of nearly 500,000.

Counties

Johnson and Washington make up the Iowa City metropolitan area with Johnson County being the second fastest growing county in Iowa.

Communities

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 131,676 people, 52,136 households, and 29,213 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 91.22% White, 2.49% African American, 0.27% Native American, 3.52% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.

2013 demographic estimates

As of the 2013 US Census Bureau population estimate there were 161,170 people, an increase of 2800 people or 1.8% compared to 2012, due to 2,059 births, 651 international migrants and 889 from domestic migration. This compares favorably to nearly two thirds of Iowa counties who have lost population over 2012–2013.

Socioeconomic data

The median income for a household in the MSA was $39,582, and the median income for a family was $52,874. Males had a median income of $32,936 versus $26,306 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $20,221, as of the census of 2000.