County · Iowa
Hardin County, Iowa
Hardin County, Iowa. Hardin County had 16,455 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (12 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 19083.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,455
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,878 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,639
Median household income
$65,069
±$4,846 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$122,500
±$7,470 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$795
±$42 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Hardin County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,878 residents in Hardin County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,455 for July 1, 2025, down 2.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,639 over 569 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hardin County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,639 | 3,210,507 | −422 |
| Households | 7,038±178 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,011±45 | 1,437,699 | −165 |
Hardin County's population since 2000
From 18,812 in 2000 to 16,455 in 2025: down 12.5%. 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 Hardin County?
Hardin County holds 13 places: 12 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Iowa Falls with 5,013 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Iowa Falls | 5,106 | $50,417 |
|---|---|---|
| Eldora | 2,663 | $77,188 |
| Ackley | 1,599 | $62,583 |
| Hubbard | 860 | $68,750 |
| Alden | 763 | $64,500 |
| Radcliffe | 555 | $69,286 |
| Union | 399 | $55,625 |
| Steamboat Rock | 264 | $47,188 |
| New Providence | 236 | $86,667 |
| WhittenGEOID 1985305 | 100 | $92,813 |
| Garden CityGEOID 1929730 | 100 | not published |
| BuckeyeGEOID 1909100 | 86 | $44,167 |
| OwasaGEOID 1960555 | 34 | not published |
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 Hardin County?
The median resident of Hardin County is 45.4 years old; 19.0% are under 18 and 23.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.5%. 3.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hardin County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.4±0.4 | 38.6 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 19.0% | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.8%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.5% | 7.3% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.1%±0.3 pts | 82.3% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 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 | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.6%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±1.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.0%±1.4 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.9%±2.3 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.5 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 Hardin County earn?
Half of Hardin County's 7,038 households earn less than $65,069 a year (±$4,846), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $66,699 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hardin County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,069±$4,846 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,622±$4,219 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,477±$2,257 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.7%±2.0 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.6%±4.5 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4%±2.5 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 Hardin County?
Owners occupy 73.6% of Hardin County's occupied homes and renters 26.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,500 by its owner (±$7,470). The median renter pays $795 a month including utilities, and 33.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hardin County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $122,500±$7,470 | $208,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $795±$42 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.9%±6.7 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,236±$59 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.6%±3.1 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,011±45 | 1,437,699 | −165 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±2.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.6%±2.1 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 34.4%±2.4 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 Hardin County building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units across Hardin County in 2025 (18 single-family), 1.1 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 Hardin County get to work?
79.4% of Hardin County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Hardin County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.9%±1.8 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±1.4 pts | 3.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.4%±2.8 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0%±1.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.9%±1.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | +2.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.6 min±1.5 | 19.8 min | +3.0 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 are Hardin County's census tracts?
Hardin County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,534 (Tract 4802) to $76,875 (Tract 4806).
| Tract 480119083480100 | 2,578±178 | $64,219 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 480219083480200 | 2,128±256 | $34,534 |
| Tract 480319083480300 | 3,498±250 | $64,783 |
| Tract 480419083480400 | 2,857±233 | $75,833 |
| Tract 480519083480500 | 2,816±246 | $75,972 |
| Tract 480619083480600 | 2,762±113 | $76,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hardin County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 44th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 82nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd of 99 |
| Median household income | 77th of 99 |
| Median home value | 85th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 59th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 58th of 99 |
| Median age | 8th 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 Hardin 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.