County · Iowa
Bremer County, Iowa
Bremer County, Iowa. Bremer County had 25,296 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.2% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 19017.
Bremer County is one of the 3 counties of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,296
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,988 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,204
Median household income
$86,784
±$2,629 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$219,600
±$8,757 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$921
±$78 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Bremer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 24,988 residents in Bremer County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,296 for July 1, 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, in line with Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,204 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bremer County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,204 | 3,210,507 | +340 |
| Households | 9,716±152 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.04 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,585±48 | 1,437,699 | +171 |
Bremer County's population since 2000
From 23,325 in 2000 to 25,296 in 2025: up 8.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bremer County?
Bremer County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Waverly with 10,561 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waverly | 10,394 | $80,284 |
|---|---|---|
| Sumner | 2,030 | $58,854 |
| Denver | 1,919 | $92,000 |
| Tripoli | 1,191 | $78,324 |
| Janesville | 1,034 | $103,542 |
| Readlyn | 845 | $86,103 |
| PlainfieldGEOID 1963210 | 393 | $80,000 |
| FrederikaGEOID 1929010 | 204 | $57,083 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bremer County?
The median resident of Bremer County is 39.0 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.3%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.6%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bremer County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0±0.7 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 7.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.3%±0.8 pts | 82.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | −0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.5%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2%±1.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.2%±2.5 pts | 31.4% | +5.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 Bremer County earn?
Half of Bremer County's 9,716 households earn less than $86,784 a year (±$2,629), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $86,635 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bremer County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $86,784±$2,629 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $108,261±$9,857 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,033±$3,348 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.3%±1.4 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1%±3.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.3%±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.6%±1.2 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Bremer County?
Owners occupy 79.7% of Bremer County's occupied homes and renters 20.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,600 by its owner (±$8,757). The median renter pays $921 a month including utilities, and 25.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bremer County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $219,600±$8,757 | $208,000 | +$15,674 |
| Median gross rent | $921±$78 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.1%±6.8 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,586±$71 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.7%±2.4 pts | 71.7% | −3.0 pts |
| Housing units | 10,585±48 | 1,437,699 | +171 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±3.3 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.9%±2.1 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.2%±2.2 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 Bremer County building?
Builders took permits for 46 new housing units across Bremer County in 2025 (38 single-family), 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bremer County get to work?
75.0% of Bremer County's workers drive alone and 11.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Bremer County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.1%±1.6 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0%±2.4 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 5.9%±1.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.3%±1.8 pts | 11.3% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.1 min±1.0 | 19.8 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 are Bremer County's census tracts?
Bremer County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $54,706 (Tract 40) to $99,554 (Tract 46).
| Tract 4019017004000 | 2,353±193 | $54,706 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4119017004100 | 3,624±281 | $85,000 |
| Tract 4219017004200 | 4,691±275 | $87,702 |
| Tract 4319017004300 | 1,852±193 | $86,691 |
| Tract 4419017004400 | 2,784±256 | $91,555 |
| Tract 4519017004500 | 2,525±211 | $87,143 |
| Tract 4619017004600 | 5,245±324 | $99,554 |
| Tract 4719017004700 | 2,130±206 | $57,386 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bremer County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 99 |
| Median household income | 7th of 99 |
| Median home value | 16th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 88th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 99 |
| Median age | 82nd of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Bremer County 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' school search.