As of the census of 2010, there were 246 people, 113 households, and 68 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 129 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, and 0.4% from two or more races. There were 113 households of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age in the city was 45 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 287 people, 125 households, and 75 families living in the city. The population density was 969.8 people per square mile. There were 130 housing units at an average density of 439.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.65% White, and 0.35% from two or more races. There were 125 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $32,875, and the median income for a family was $36,806. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,789. About 9.1% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 13.3% of those sixty five or over.
Arts and culture
Festivals
Annually, Yale hosts a Fourth of July festival, which includes a street dance or a local band that plays at the Yale Community Club on the night of the Third of July. On the Fourth of July the town parade kicks off the events starting at 11:00 a.m. Throughout the day in Yale on the Fourth of July there are many family friendly events going on. The Yale Saddle Club puts on a horse show on the south end of town near the park. In the vacant lot south of old round gym and directly east of the baseball field Yale puts on a garden tractor contest. Throughout the day most events are held on main street to include street venders, a car show, a talent show, bingo, and many others. To close the day's events when it gets dark enough in the evening the Farmers State Bank and the City of Yale sponsor a fireworks display. Yale's population doubles if not triples during the day of the Fourth of July.
Business
Yale has Just Ethel's Bar and Grill, the Bell Street Market, Smith Tire, Farmer's State Bank, and the Landus Coop. Most of the businesses are centrally located on main street.
Government
Steve Stanton was reelected as mayor of Yale in 2011 and 2015 and will serve until 2019.
Education
serves the community. The district formed on July 1, 1989 as a merger of the Panora-Linden and Y-J-B school districts.
