Hardin County, Iowa Demographics 2026
Hardin County, Iowa has a population of 16,639, the 44th most populous county in Iowa. The median household income is $65,069 and the median home value is $122,500. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hardin County Quick Facts
How Hardin County 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 | 16,729 | 16,639 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $64,906 | $65,069 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $113,000 | $122,500 | +8.4% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Hardin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Falls | 5,038 | $50,417 | 10.7% | $123,800 |
| Eldora | 2,617 | $77,188 | 12.0% | $133,000 |
| Ackley | 1,482 | $62,583 | 7.5% | $103,900 |
| Alden | 833 | $64,500 | 17.5% | $107,900 |
| Hubbard | 773 | $68,750 | 5.6% | $106,100 |
| Radcliffe | 657 | $69,286 | 7.9% | $118,300 |
| Union | 378 | $55,625 | 6.6% | $74,600 |
| Steamboat Rock | 312 | $47,188 | 6.1% | $105,800 |
| New Providence | 173 | $86,667 | 7.6% | $82,500 |
| Whitten | 164 | $92,813 | 2.4% | $90,000 |
| Buckeye | 75 | $44,167 | 12.0% | N/A |
| Garden City | 36 | N/A | 0.0% | $110,200 |
| Owasa | 25 | N/A | 4.0% | N/A |
Explore Iowa Rankings
Population Overview
Hardin County is located in Iowa with a total population of 16,639. It is the 44th most populous county out of 99 in Iowa. The county encompasses 13 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hardin County is 45.4 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.3% 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 Hardin County is $65,069. 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 9.7%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $122,500. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Hardin County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hardin County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Hardin County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Iowa and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hardin County, Iowa?
Hardin County has a population of 16,639, making it the 44th most populous county in Iowa.
What is the median income in Hardin County?
The median household income in Hardin County is $65,069 with a poverty rate of 9.7%.
How many cities are in Hardin County, Iowa?
Hardin County contains 13 Census-designated places.