City · Iowa
Malvern, Iowa
Malvern, city, in Mills County, Iowa. Malvern had 1,073 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,046 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,323 (±208). GEOID 1948720.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,073
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,046 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,323 ±208
Median household income
$84,223
±$10,331 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$174,700
±$34,288 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$839
±$59 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Malvern and what county is it in?
Malvern is a city in Mills County, Iowa. It covers 1.6 square miles of land, 656 residents per square mile in 2020.
Malvern is in the Omaha, NE-IA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 8 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Malvern, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,073 people lived in Malvern on July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 1,046 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,323 (±208).
| Measure | Malvern | Mills County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,323 ±208 | 14,568 | +308 |
| Households | 455 ±75 | 5,394 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.80 ±0.37 | 2.63 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 534 ±85 | 6,134 | no clear change |
Malvern's population since 2000
From 1,256 in 2000 to 1,073 in 2025: down 14.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Malvern 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 Malvern?
The median resident of Malvern is 42.4 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 20.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 1.4%.
| Measure | Malvern | Mills County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 ±3.7 | 42.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.3% ±5.7 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.0% ±5.2 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Male | 47.5% ±5.8 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% ±1.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.2% ±2.4 pts | 92.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2% ±4.4 pts | 9.2% | – |
| With a disability | 16.7% ±4.4 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.0% ±5.9 pts | 96.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.5% ±8.4 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9% ±3.4 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.0% ±6.7 pts | 88.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.6% ±6.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
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 Malvern earn?
Half of Malvern's 455 households earn less than $84,223 a year (±$10,331), against $90,753 in Mills County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $65,534 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $18,689 after inflation. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Malvern | Mills County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,223 ±$10,331 | $90,753 | +$18,689 |
| Mean household income | $130,065 ±$35,815 | $109,810 | – |
| Per capita income | $48,373 ±$12,982 | $42,497 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.5% ±3.6 pts | 8.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.9% ±9.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.0% ±5.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.3% ±2.4 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.3% ±3.3 pts | 88.7% | – |
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 Malvern?
Owners occupy 83.5% of Malvern's occupied homes and renters 16.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $174,700 by its owner (±$34,288). The median renter pays $839 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Malvern | Mills County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $174,700 ±$34,288 | $237,800 | +$38,708 |
| Median gross rent | $839 ±$59 | $959 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.7% ±14.6 pts | 26.7% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,326 ±$78 | $1,652 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.5% ±5.5 pts | 83.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 16.5% ±5.5 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Housing units | 534 ±85 | 6,134 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.2% ±4.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.5% ±14.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.6% ±4.6 pts | 84.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.2% ±3.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±4.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.9% ±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 45.3% ±7.8 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.4% ±2.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
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 Malvern building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units in Malvern in 2025 (8 in single-family houses), 7.5 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 Malvern work and get to work?
80.1% of Malvern's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 30.7 minutes.
| Measure | Malvern | Mills County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.3% ±7.7 pts | 61.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0% ±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 80.1% ±7.0 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.9% ±7.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.9% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.0% ±2.2 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.7 min ±4.3 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
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 Malvern?
No census tract lies mostly in Malvern; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 401Mills County | 2,917 | $82,646 |
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 Malvern) · Census block assignment files
How does Malvern compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Malvern is the 9,990th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 265th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Malvern ranks 74th 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 | 265th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 57th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 238th | 279 |
| Median household income | 74th | 279 |
| Per capita income | 33rd | 279 |
| Median home value | 126th | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 141st | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 187th | 232 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 121st | 279 |
| Median age | 83rd | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 41st | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 6th | 279 |
Malvern's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Malvern 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 Malvern?
23 of the 57 figures for Malvern 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 Malvern 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 Malvern.