City · Iowa
Ackley, Iowa
Ackley, city, mostly in Hardin County (97.6% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Franklin County, Iowa. Ackley had 1,530 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,599 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,482 (±174). GEOID 1900190.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,530
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,599 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,482 ±174
Median household income
$62,583
±$12,166 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$103,900
±$14,471 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$669
±$119 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Ackley and what county is it in?
Ackley is a city mostly in Hardin County (97.6% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Franklin County, Iowa. It covers 2.5 square miles of land, 651 residents per square mile in 2020.
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Hardin County | 1,561 | 97.6% |
| Franklin County | 38 | 2.4% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ackley, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,530 people lived in Ackley on July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020 Census counted 1,599 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,482 (±174).
| Measure | Ackley | Hardin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,482 ±174 | 16,639 | −334 |
| Households | 683 ±87 | 7,038 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.10 ±0.17 | 2.27 | −0.27 |
| Housing units | 788 ±89 | 8,011 | no clear change |
Ackley's population since 2000
From 1,809 in 2000 to 1,530 in 2025: down 15.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ackley as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ackley?
The median resident of Ackley is 46.7 years old; 16.5% are under 18 and 24.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.0%. 6.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ackley | Hardin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 ±4.0 | 45.4 | +5.7 |
| Under 18 years | 16.5% ±3.1 pts | 19.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.6% ±4.3 pts | 23.8% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±3.8 pts | 50.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% ±4.3 pts | 5.5% | −7.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.2% ±4.8 pts | 90.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±1.4 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.9% ±3.6 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.6% ±4.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±1.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1% ±4.0 pts | 15.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6% ±4.1 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.6% ±2.9 pts | 93.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.9% ±4.1 pts | 21.9% | −8.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.4% ±1.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.5% ±3.4 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5% ±1.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ackley earn?
Half of Ackley's 683 households earn less than $62,583 a year (±$12,166), against $65,069 in Hardin County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $70,509 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ackley | Hardin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,583 ±$12,166 | $65,069 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,872 ±$7,892 | $79,622 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,191 ±$3,800 | $36,477 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5% ±3.6 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 1.3% ±2.3 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.3% ±4.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.9% ±4.7 pts | 89.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.0% ±5.4 pts | 85.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ackley?
Owners occupy 81.3% of Ackley's occupied homes and renters 18.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $103,900 by its owner (±$14,471). The median renter pays $669 a month including utilities, and 38.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ackley | Hardin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $103,900 ±$14,471 | $122,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $669 ±$119 | $795 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.0% ±18.9 pts | 33.9% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,113 ±$103 | $1,236 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.3% ±6.5 pts | 73.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 18.7% ±6.5 pts | 26.4% | – |
| Housing units | 788 ±89 | 8,011 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.4% ±4.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 14.6% ±14.3 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.6% ±5.2 pts | 83.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.8% ±1.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 40.1% ±5.5 pts | 34.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±3.3 pts | 5.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ackley building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Ackley in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ackley work and get to work?
85.5% of Ackley's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes.
| Measure | Ackley | Hardin County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2% ±5.2 pts | 61.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% ±1.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 85.5% ±5.5 pts | 79.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0% ±2.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.8% ±2.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6% ±3.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min ±3.7 | 21.6 min | +5.3 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ackley?
No census tract lies mostly in Ackley; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4801Hardin County | 2,578 | $64,219 |
| Tract 3601Franklin County | 2,969 | $67,708 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ackley) · Census block assignment files
How does Ackley compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ackley is the 8,658th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 205th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Ackley ranks 195th of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 205th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 261st | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 240th | 279 |
| Median household income | 195th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 180th | 279 |
| Median home value | 259th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 244th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 166th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 230th | 279 |
| Median age | 33rd | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 59th | 279 |
| Work from home | 184th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 53rd | 279 |
Ackley's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Ackley with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ackley?
14 of the 57 figures for Ackley on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ackley are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ackley.