Living in Grinnell, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Grinnell · Census data 2020–2024
Grinnell has 9,505 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $65,320 (13% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $209,500, the median rent is $895/month.
Grinnell at a glance
- Population
- 9,505
- Median age
- 36.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $65,320State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $209,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $895/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 64.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37.5%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Grinnell a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 12 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.1%.
Cons: Median household income 13% lower than the Iowa median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Grinnell
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Grinnell the median home value is $209,500, 37% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $895 per month, which is 27.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,598 a month in housing costs.
Grinnell median household income
The median household income in Grinnell is $65,320 and the income per person is $36,165. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Grinnell: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,976
- Owner-occupied
- 64.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.4%
- Vacant
- 8.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.19
Grinnell demographics
- Population
- 9,505
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 18.6%
- 65 and older
- 21.4%
- Households
- 3,635
- Foreign-born
- 5.7%
- Veterans
- 7.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Grinnell ›
Education in Grinnell
37.5% of adults 25 and older in Grinnell have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 18.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Grinnell
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 17.6%
- Drive alone
- 54.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 19.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.4%
Grinnell vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell | 9,505 | $65,320 | $209,500 | $895 |
| Oakland Acres | 191 | $103,000 | $256,300 | — |
| Malcom | 221 | $76,750 | $109,800 | $638 |
| Kellogg | 676 | $36,944 | $115,800 | $804 |
| Gilman | 623 | $101,136 | $88,700 | $678 |
| Searsboro | 109 | $66,250 | $104,200 | $967 |
| Lynnville | 527 | $60,682 | $146,300 | $631 |
| Sully | 1,022 | $90,189 | $173,700 | $856 |
| Brooklyn | 1,459 | $73,438 | $137,100 | $832 |
More for people moving to Grinnell
Grinnell ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Grinnell: FAQ
What is the median household income in Grinnell, IA?
The median household income in Grinnell is $65,320, 13% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Grinnell?
The median home value in Grinnell is $209,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Grinnell?
The median gross rent in Grinnell is $895 per month, about 27.9% of household income.
Is Grinnell, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 12 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.1%. Minuses: median household income 13% lower than the Iowa median; home values about the same as the state median; unemployment of 4%.
What is the median age in Grinnell?
The median age in Grinnell is 36.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Grinnell?
The average commute to work in Grinnell is 12 minutes; 17.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Grinnell?
The unemployment rate in Grinnell is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Grinnell?
37.5% of adults in Grinnell have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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