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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Hardin County

Iowa · 16,878 residents · 569.307 sq mi
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The short version

Hardin County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $54,930. Population has declined 10% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $95,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,878
−10%since 2000
from 18,812 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
30 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 33 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.5
+7%since 2000
from 40.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K18K19K19K1990201020202024Hardin County
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,930
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,429 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,189
+61%since 2000
from $17,537 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 21.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
9.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Construction10.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,100
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$693
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $403 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
74.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
25.2% rent
Afford Score
1.7
+5%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hardin County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.1%(18,081)
Black0.6%(111)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(455)
Asian0.3%(59)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.1%(1,530)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(15,292)
Black0.9%(144)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(818)
Asian0.5%(86)
Other2.3%(394)
Diversity Score20.2%(3,415)
Segregation Score22.9%(3,857)
Diversity Score
20
+149%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.6%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 85.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+46%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 74.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 63.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.4%
−30.2 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.9%
−87.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Hardin County

Dade County
Pop 16,154
Union County
Pop 16,250
Hancock County
Pop 16,803
Gooding County
Pop 16,446
Places similar to Hardin County
Head to head

Compare Hardin County to nearby counties

HARDIN COUNTY VS
Grundy County
Income$87,205+59%
Home value$198,800+109%
Population12,361−25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARDIN COUNTY VS
Hamilton County
Income$72,432+32%
Home value$156,400+64%
Population14,944−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARDIN COUNTY VS
Franklin County
Income$59,894+9%
Home value$124,100+30%
Population9,868−40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HARDIN COUNTY VS
Story County
Income$69,685+27%
Home value$258,700+172%
Population101,291+516%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Hardin County, Iowa?

Hardin County, Iowa has about 16,878 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hardin County, Iowa?

The typical household in Hardin County, Iowa earns about $54,930 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hardin County, Iowa expensive?

In Hardin County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $95,100, and the typical rent is about $693 a month.

How educated are people in Hardin County, Iowa?

About 21.5% of adults age 25 and over in Hardin County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hardin County, Iowa?

About 9.6% of people in Hardin County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hardin County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Hardin County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 2,216 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 4803Census Tract 4804Census Tract 4805Census Tract 4806Census Tract 4801Census Tract 4802
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 50126ZIP 50627ZIP 50006ZIP 50122ZIP 50230ZIP 50258ZIP 50672ZIP 50206ZIP 50269ZIP 50102
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →