1st Advantage MortgageHardin County households have a median income of $65,069 and median rent of $795 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Iowa before sharing details.
On this page
- Hardin County at a glance
- Household income in Hardin County
- Work, industries and travel time in Hardin County
- Housing costs in Hardin County
- Hardin County next to its neighbors
- Hardin County towns compared
- A Hardin County household budget, worked through
- More Hardin County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Hardin County
- Who licenses lenders for Hardin County residents
- A Hardin County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Hardin County
- Frequently asked questions
Hardin County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hardin County's population at 16,639; only 43 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. It covers 569 square miles of land, or about 29 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hardin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (12 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Iowa Falls, with about 5,038 residents, or 30% of the county.
Household income in Hardin County
The median household income in Hardin County is $65,069; statewide it is $75,059, so Hardin County runs 13% below Iowa as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Hardin County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.5% | +6.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.3% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -4.1 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 9.7%, 1 point lower than the state's 11.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.424 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Hardin County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Hardin County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (11% against 4%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 5.3% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Sector | Hardin County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.4% | +7.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% | -4.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | +1.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Hardin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Hardin County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $795 in Hardin County versus $972 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Hardin County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,500, about 1.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1956.
| Housing | Hardin County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $795/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $122,500 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Hardin County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 33 miles). Grundy County leads the group on income ($87,205), Franklin County trails ($59,894), and Hardin County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin County | - | $65,069 | $795/mo | 74% |
| Grundy County, IA | 23 mi | $87,205 | $774/mo | 84% |
| Hamilton County, IA | 24 mi | $72,432 | $877/mo | 73% |
| Franklin County, IA | 24 mi | $59,894 | $696/mo | 72% |
| Story County, IA | 27 mi | $69,685 | $1,018/mo | 56% |
| Marshall County, IA | 28 mi | $73,315 | $885/mo | 75% |
| Butler County, IA | 33 mi | $73,715 | $812/mo | 84% |
Hardin County towns compared
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Hardin County residents live in one of the 13. Eldora has the highest median household income on the list ($77,188) and Iowa Falls the lowest ($50,417), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $519 in Radcliffe to $831 in Iowa Falls. Live in one of these Hardin County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Falls | city | 5,038 | $50,417 | $831 | 9 mi |
| Eldora | city | 2,617 | $77,188 | $750 | 7 mi |
| Ackley | city | 1,482 | $62,583 | $669 | 15 mi |
| Alden | city | 833 | $64,500 | $621 | 11 mi |
| Hubbard | city | 773 | $68,750 | $632 | 7 mi |
| Radcliffe | city | 657 | $69,286 | $519 | 11 mi |
| Union | city | 378 | $55,625 | $875 | 14 mi |
| Steamboat Rock | city | 312 | $47,188 | $771 | 9 mi |
| New Providence | city | 173 | $86,667 | $613 | 8 mi |
| Whitten | city | 164 | $92,813 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Buckeye | city | 75 | $44,167 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Garden City | CDP | 36 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Owasa | city | 25 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
A Hardin County household budget, worked through
Hardin County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,422 a month: gross income for a household at the Hardin County median
- Housing at the median rent of $795 uses 15%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,157 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
More Hardin County figures
22% of Hardin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Hardin County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.4 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.9% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.0% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Hardin County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Hardin County
What the Hardin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 45, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Hardin County borrower sees (free reports).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Who licenses lenders for Hardin County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Hardin County borrowers answers to the Iowa Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Hardin County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Hardin County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Hardin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hardin County a high-income county?
Its $65,069 median ranks 77th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Hardin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $795 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Hardin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Hardin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Hardin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, Alden, Hubbard.
Will a Hardin County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.