1st Advantage MortgageThe median Bremer County household earns $86,784, and 7% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Bremer County
- What Bremer County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Bremer County
- Employment and commuting in Bremer County
- Places inside Bremer County
- Counties near Bremer County
- Room for a loan payment in Bremer County
- What the numbers mean for Bremer County borrowers
- Bremer County households compared
- Four steps for Bremer County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Bremer County
- More guides for Bremer County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Bremer County
With an estimated 25,204 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Bremer County ranks 26th of 99 in Iowa for population. Packed into 435 square miles, that is close to 58 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 8 Census places inside Bremer County, Waverly leads by population with about 10,494; 8 of the 8 are incorporated.
What Bremer County households earn
Half of Bremer County households take in less than $86,784 a year and half take in more, 16% above the Iowa median of $75,059. Only 6 Iowa counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Bremer County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.4% | -5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.2% | +4.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.0% | -0.6 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 40% clear $100,000. 7.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bremer County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Bremer County
Renters in Bremer County pay a median of $921 a month, 5% below the Iowa figure of $972. 33% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $219,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. 80% of Bremer County households own their home and 20% rent. Median construction year: 1970.
| Bremer County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $921/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $219,600 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | n/a |
Because most Bremer County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Employment and commuting in Bremer County
The biggest employer of Bremer County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Education and health care stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Bremer County averages 3.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Top industries | Bremer County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.5% | +5.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +3.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -2.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.3% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.4% | -1.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Bremer County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Bremer County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 73% of Bremer County residents live in one of the 8. Incomes vary by place: $103,542 at the median in Janesville, $58,854 in Sumner. Median rent ranges from $588 in Readlyn to $1,057 in Waverly. No Bremer County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | city | 10,494 | $80,284 | $1,057 | 8 mi |
| Denver | city | 2,379 | $92,000 | $859 | 8 mi |
| Sumner | city | 2,106 | $58,854 | $902 | 13 mi |
| Tripoli | city | 1,156 | $78,324 | $940 | 4 mi |
| Janesville | city | 917 | $103,542 | $717 | 12 mi |
| Readlyn | city | 736 | $86,103 | $588 | 7 mi |
| Plainfield | city | 314 | $80,000 | $684 | 11 mi |
| Frederika | city | 236 | $57,083 | $667 | 7 mi |
Counties near Bremer County
Six nearby counties, 19 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $60,165 in Fayette County to $78,236 in Buchanan County; none of these neighbors top Bremer County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremer County | - | $86,784 | $921/mo | 80% |
| Chickasaw County, IA | 19 mi | $75,675 | $738/mo | 81% |
| Black Hawk County, IA | 21 mi | $66,417 | $989/mo | 66% |
| Butler County, IA | 23 mi | $73,715 | $812/mo | 84% |
| Fayette County, IA | 25 mi | $60,165 | $881/mo | 77% |
| Floyd County, IA | 30 mi | $68,557 | $745/mo | 77% |
| Buchanan County, IA | 33 mi | $78,236 | $848/mo | 82% |
Room for a loan payment in Bremer County
Here is the Bremer County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,232 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $921 uses 13%
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,610 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $2,333 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Bremer County borrowers
Where the Bremer County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 40% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Consolidating cards in Bremer County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Bremer County households compared
Degree holders: 36% of adults over 25. About 2% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Bremer County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.2% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.8% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.2% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.3% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.3% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.3% |
Four steps for Bremer County borrowers
A short checklist for Bremer County borrowers:
- Price the Bremer County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Licensing and complaints for Bremer County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Bremer County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Bremer County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Bremer County household make?
About $86,784 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 16% above the Iowa median.
What do renters pay in Bremer County?
$921 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Should Bremer County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Bremer County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Bremer County?
By population: Waverly, Denver, Sumner, Tripoli, Janesville. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Can Bremer County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Iowa county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.