Hartley, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hartley, Iowa had a total population of 1,553, the 209th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $57,656, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
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 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Hartley Quick Facts
How Hartley 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 | 1,588 | 1,553 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $51,118 | $57,656 | +12.8% |
| Median home value | $108,400 | $112,700 | +4.0% |
How Hartley 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+)
Hartley Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in O'Brien County
Cities Similar to Hartley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenox | 1,569 | $61,000 | $111,400 | 14.7% | 11.3% |
| Wellman | 1,454 | $57,560 | $174,500 | 20.3% | 3.6% |
| Corning | 1,567 | $64,773 | $96,400 | 25.2% | 12.4% |
| Holstein | 1,600 | $64,115 | $114,400 | 34.6% | 16.8% |
| Panora | 1,579 | $66,339 | $182,000 | 23.7% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Hartley is a small community located in Iowa, within O'Brien County. The total population is 1,553. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hartley is 47.9 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.4% 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 Hartley is $57,656. This is 23% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $112,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Hartley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hartley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hartley, 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 Hartley, Iowa?
Hartley, Iowa has a population of 1,553 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hartley, IA?
The median household income in Hartley is $57,656, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hartley, IA?
The poverty rate in Hartley is 12.5%. This means approximately 185 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hartley, Iowa?
Hartley's population is 91.1% White, 0.3% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hartley, IA?
The median home value in Hartley is $112,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Hartley, Iowa?
13.6% of adults (25+) in Hartley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.