Bradford, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bradford, Iowa had a total population of 178, the 723rd largest community in Iowa. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Bradford Quick Facts
How Bradford Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196 | 178 | -9.2% |
How Bradford Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bradford Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton | 4,306 | $47,088 | 18.1% | $99,400 |
| Sheffield | 1,053 | $54,458 | 13.4% | $151,000 |
| Latimer | 681 | $61,042 | 19.5% | $110,800 |
| Alexander | 245 | $56,250 | 27.7% | $55,600 |
| Coulter | 228 | $62,917 | 16.7% | $90,000 |
| Geneva | 152 | $56,250 | 19.1% | $61,400 |
| Chapin | 137 | $73,091 | 0.0% | $94,000 |
| Popejoy | 109 | $38,681 | 3.7% | $83,600 |
| Hansell | 83 | $71,667 | 2.4% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Bradford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Chester | 178 | $49,375 | $80,300 | 15.1% | 24.2% |
| Westgate | 178 | $53,750 | $78,300 | 10.7% | 35.1% |
| Dundee | 177 | $51,875 | $139,300 | 7.6% | 10.7% |
| Lidderdale | 177 | $60,625 | $123,400 | 6.8% | 11.3% |
| Wadena | 177 | $38,750 | $94,200 | 13.7% | 27.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 178, Bradford's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bradford is a small community located in Iowa, within Franklin County. The total population is 178. It ranks as the 723rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bradford is 33.4 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 42.7% of the population under 18, Bradford has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Bradford. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bradford, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 55.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Bradford was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bradford, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bradford, Iowa?
Bradford, Iowa has a population of 178 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bradford, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Bradford — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bradford, IA?
The ACS sample for Bradford recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Bradford, Iowa?
Bradford's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bradford, IA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Bradford — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Bradford, Iowa?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Bradford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.