Garner, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Garner, Iowa had a total population of 3,049, the 122nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $70,726, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Garner Quick Facts
How Garner 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 | 3,062 | 3,049 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $68,964 | $70,726 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $162,100 | $186,300 | +14.9% |
How Garner 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+)
Garner Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 4,290 | $69,205 | 12.4% | $143,500 |
| Britt | 1,882 | $72,943 | 10.1% | $101,900 |
| Kanawha | 756 | $68,250 | 8.7% | $77,600 |
| Klemme | 544 | $59,256 | 13.4% | $77,900 |
| Crystal Lake | 283 | $66,875 | 12.7% | $100,300 |
| Goodell | 268 | $87,813 | 10.1% | $57,100 |
| Corwith | 249 | $55,313 | 50.2% | $58,300 |
| Woden | 219 | $50,000 | 32.4% | $76,000 |
| Miller | 25 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Duncan | 21 | N/A | 57.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Garner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tama | 3,051 | $68,661 | $106,800 | 16.2% | 24.0% |
| Wilton | 2,920 | $76,648 | $189,200 | 36.1% | 8.9% |
| Tipton | 3,106 | $61,115 | $165,500 | 20.3% | 12.3% |
| Onawa | 2,839 | $62,143 | $145,800 | 19.4% | 16.3% |
| Milford | 3,311 | $63,369 | $218,400 | 21.8% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Garner is a small community located in Iowa, within Hancock County. The total population is 3,049. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Garner is 47.0 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Garner is $70,726. This is 6% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $186,300. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Garner is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Garner has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Garner, 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 Garner, Iowa?
Garner, Iowa has a population of 3,049 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Garner, IA?
The median household income in Garner is $70,726, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Garner, IA?
The poverty rate in Garner is 11.5%. This means approximately 340 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Garner, Iowa?
Garner's population is 94.0% White, 1.1% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Garner, IA?
The median home value in Garner is $186,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Garner, Iowa?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Garner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.