Malvern, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malvern, Iowa had a total population of 1,323, the 238th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $84,223, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
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 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Malvern Quick Facts
How Malvern 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 | 1,415 | 1,323 | -6.5% |
| Median household income | $82,027 | $84,223 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $173,900 | $174,700 | +0.5% |
How Malvern 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+)
Malvern Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Mills County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood | 5,144 | $71,790 | 11.8% | $206,200 |
| Tabor | 877 | $58,750 | 14.5% | $204,200 |
| Emerson | 570 | $49,063 | 15.1% | $119,500 |
| Silver City | 504 | $67,250 | 19.8% | $156,800 |
| Hastings | 164 | $84,375 | 9.2% | $90,700 |
| Pacific Junction | 150 | N/A | 14.0% | $149,100 |
| Henderson | 143 | $54,375 | 25.4% | $77,500 |
| Mineola | 110 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Malvern
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central City | 1,356 | $85,400 | $179,700 | 18.6% | 3.9% |
| Logan | 1,392 | $84,833 | $154,000 | 28.5% | 4.6% |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | $134,500 | 19.8% | 5.3% |
| State Center | 1,412 | $83,942 | $167,400 | 33.5% | 4.9% |
| Fairbank | 1,275 | $89,712 | $186,900 | 19.5% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Malvern is a small community located in Iowa, within Mills County. The total population is 1,323. It ranks as the 238th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malvern is 42.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malvern is $84,223. This is 12% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $174,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Malvern is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Malvern has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 demographic data for Malvern, 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 Malvern, Iowa?
Malvern, Iowa has a population of 1,323 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malvern, IA?
The median household income in Malvern is $84,223, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malvern, IA?
The poverty rate in Malvern is 6.6%. This means approximately 84 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malvern, Iowa?
Malvern's population is 96.2% White, 0.1% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malvern, IA?
The median home value in Malvern is $174,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Malvern, Iowa?
25.5% of adults (25+) in Malvern hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.