Griswold, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Griswold, Iowa had a total population of 975, the 290th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,000, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Griswold Quick Facts
How Griswold 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 | 1,020 | 975 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $61,167 | $55,000 | -10.1% |
| Median home value | $89,400 | $98,900 | +10.6% |
How Griswold 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+)
Griswold Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
Cities Similar to Griswold
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mapleton | 989 | $55,208 | $113,000 | 21.3% | 8.4% |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | $163,300 | 18.0% | 14.8% |
| Sheffield | 1,053 | $54,458 | $151,000 | 17.8% | 13.4% |
| Buffalo Center | 911 | $52,917 | $100,500 | 27.2% | 8.2% |
| Winfield | 1,007 | $49,063 | $100,000 | 19.1% | 9.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 975, Griswold'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
Griswold is a small community located in Iowa, within Cass County. The total population is 975. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Griswold is 50.0 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 15.9% 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 Griswold is $55,000. This is 27% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $98,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Griswold is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Griswold has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Griswold, 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 Griswold, Iowa?
Griswold, Iowa has a population of 975 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Griswold, IA?
The median household income in Griswold is $55,000, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Griswold, IA?
The poverty rate in Griswold is 13.3%. This means approximately 125 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Griswold, Iowa?
Griswold's population is 91.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Griswold, IA?
The median home value in Griswold is $98,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Griswold, Iowa?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Griswold hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.