Grimes, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grimes, Iowa had a total population of 16,366, the 29th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $120,037, which is 60% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Iowa.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- 51.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Grimes Quick Facts
How Grimes 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 | 15,810 | 16,366 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $104,497 | $120,037 | +14.9% |
| Median home value | $281,000 | $304,700 | +8.4% |
How Grimes 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+)
Grimes Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | 14.9% | $194,700 |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | 4.2% | $331,000 |
| West Des Moines | 71,083 | $86,594 | 8.4% | $309,000 |
| Urbandale | 46,595 | $112,795 | 6.8% | $335,500 |
| Johnston | 24,384 | $106,551 | 10.2% | $369,100 |
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | 8.3% | $274,600 |
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | 7.3% | $401,100 |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | 4.2% | $303,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | 8.9% | $295,100 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | 6.2% | $318,800 |
Cities Similar to Grimes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clive | 19,012 | $132,121 | $401,100 | 61.0% | 7.3% |
| Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | $303,100 | 38.8% | 4.2% |
| Indianola | 16,044 | $75,453 | $237,500 | 34.9% | 6.4% |
| North Liberty | 21,125 | $102,102 | $303,800 | 54.5% | 6.1% |
| Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | $153,700 | 19.5% | 11.1% |
Population Overview
Grimes is a small city located in Iowa, within Polk County. The total population is 16,366. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grimes is 35.4 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grimes is $120,037. This is 60% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 49% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.4%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $304,700. Housing costs are 46% higher than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Grimes is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grimes is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.2% vs 3.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.6% vs 2.5%).
Education
51.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Grimes in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 64% higher 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 99.3%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grimes, 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 Grimes, Iowa?
Grimes, Iowa has a population of 16,366 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grimes, IA?
The median household income in Grimes is $120,037, which is 49% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grimes, IA?
The poverty rate in Grimes is 4.4%. This means approximately 720 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grimes, Iowa?
Grimes's population is 81.6% White, 6.2% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grimes, IA?
The median home value in Grimes is $304,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Grimes, Iowa?
51.5% of adults (25+) in Grimes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.