Grinnell, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grinnell, Iowa had a total population of 9,505, the 44th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $65,320, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 37.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Grinnell Quick Facts
How Grinnell 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 | 9,527 | 9,505 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $64,426 | $65,320 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $191,700 | $209,500 | +9.3% |
How Grinnell 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+)
Grinnell Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Poweshiek County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 1,459 | $73,438 | 21.6% | $137,100 |
| Montezuma | 1,410 | $65,660 | 12.5% | $179,400 |
| Victor | 987 | $74,000 | 22.3% | $116,600 |
| Holiday Lake | 397 | $82,868 | 4.0% | $284,800 |
| Deep River | 335 | $83,125 | 3.6% | $95,200 |
| Malcom | 221 | $76,750 | 10.1% | $109,800 |
| Hartwick | 114 | $83,750 | 1.8% | $90,000 |
| Searsboro | 109 | $66,250 | 17.4% | $104,200 |
| Guernsey | 50 | $70,833 | 2.0% | $73,300 |
Cities Similar to Grinnell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | $160,900 | 23.2% | 15.7% |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | 27.1% | 8.9% |
| Keokuk | 9,662 | $52,711 | $104,300 | 17.4% | 18.3% |
| Fairfield | 9,456 | $51,311 | $156,000 | 52.9% | 20.7% |
| Denison | 8,260 | $65,684 | $150,200 | 17.5% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Grinnell is a small city located in Iowa, within Poweshiek County. The total population is 9,505. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grinnell is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.5% 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 is $65,320. This is 13% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $209,500. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 64.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Grinnell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 2.5%).
Education
37.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Grinnell in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 19% 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 94.7%. Notably, 18.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grinnell, 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 Grinnell, Iowa?
Grinnell, Iowa has a population of 9,505 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grinnell, IA?
The median household income in Grinnell is $65,320, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grinnell, IA?
The poverty rate in Grinnell is 11.1%. This means approximately 886 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grinnell, Iowa?
Grinnell's population is 86.1% White, 1.6% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grinnell, IA?
The median home value in Grinnell is $209,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Grinnell, Iowa?
37.5% of adults (25+) in Grinnell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.