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CITY

Grinnell

Iowa · 9,430 residents (2025 est.) · 5.689 sq mi
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The short version

Grinnell has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $65,320. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $209,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
38% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
9,505
+4%since 2000
from 9,105 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,671 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 1,600 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.5
+4%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,430 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K9K9K9K10K1990201020202024Grinnell
202410K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$65,320
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,625 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,165
+102%since 2000
from $17,939 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.4%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 30.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.500
+11%since 2010
from 0.450 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade2.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$209,500
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$895
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $439 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 65.2% in 2000
35.4% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.7%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+34%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in Grinnell on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(8,553)
Black1%(93)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(143)
Asian2%(182)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.3%(1,027)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.1%(8,186)
Black1.6%(148)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(297)
Asian3.9%(372)
Other5.3%(502)
Diversity Score31.6%(3,003)
Diversity Score
32
+180%since 2000
from 11 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.5%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 24.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.7%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 85.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.2%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.3 min
+9%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
54.3%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 60.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
17.6%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
19.9%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
11.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.6%
−29.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
53.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2012
from 14.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−91.3 ptssince 2013
from 94.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.4%
+14.2 ptssince 2017
from 73.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 93.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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GRINNELL VS
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GRINNELL VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Grinnell, Iowa?

Grinnell, Iowa has about 9,505 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Grinnell, Iowa?

The typical household in Grinnell, Iowa earns about $65,320 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Grinnell, Iowa expensive?

In Grinnell, Iowa, the median home is worth about $209,500, and the typical rent is about $895 a month.

How educated are people in Grinnell, Iowa?

About 37.5% of adults age 25 and over in Grinnell, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Grinnell, Iowa?

About 11.1% of people in Grinnell, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Grinnell, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Grinnell, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 603 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →