Grinnell city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Grinnell city, Iowa has a total population of 9,527, the 44th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,426, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 41.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Grinnell city Quick Facts
How Grinnell city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grinnell city Rankings in Iowa
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Cities Similar to Grinnell city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant city | 9,093 | $59,216 | $145,600 | 23.5% | 17.1% |
| Carroll city | 10,261 | $59,323 | $184,100 | 25.6% | 10.4% |
| Denison city | 8,247 | $63,850 | $137,600 | 18.5% | 20.2% |
| Fairfield city | 9,438 | $48,302 | $152,900 | 51.2% | 19.2% |
| Keokuk city | 9,748 | $49,340 | $93,700 | 17.4% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Grinnell city is a small city located in Iowa, within Poweshiek County. The total population is 9,527. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grinnell city is 37.9 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 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 median household income in Grinnell city is $64,426. This is 12% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 18% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $191,700. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grinnell city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 2.4%).
Education
41.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Grinnell city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%. Notably, 19.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grinnell city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grinnell city, Iowa?
Grinnell city, Iowa has a population of 9,527 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grinnell city, IA?
The median household income in Grinnell city is $64,426, which is 18% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Grinnell city, IA?
The poverty rate in Grinnell city is 10.9%. This means approximately 878 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grinnell city, Iowa?
Grinnell city's population is 86.6% White, 2.1% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grinnell city, IA?
The median home value in Grinnell city is $191,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Grinnell city, Iowa?
41.1% of adults (25+) in Grinnell city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.