Iowa · GEOID 19083

Hardin County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 16,639 · 8,011 housing units

Median household income

$65,069

State $75,689

Median home value

$122,500

State $208,740

Median gross rent

$795

State $976

Homeownership rate

73.6%

State 71.7%

Renter cost-burden rate

41.5%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

14.5%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

1.8%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

4.5%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

12.1%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

1.88

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Hardin County	Iowa
Population	16,639	3,210,507
Population density (per sq. mi.)	29.23	—
Median household income	$65,069	$75,689
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$90,100	—
Households	7,038	—
Average household size	2.27 people	—
Owner-occupied	73.6%	71.7%
Renter-occupied	26.4%	28.3%
Race	91.1% White · 1.1% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Hardin County compared with Iowa.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

21.9% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 31.4%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	16.1%	$48,676	$1,217	$150,169
1 earner	28.3%	$59,615	$1,490	$190,888
2 earners	46.3%	$102,813	$2,570	$351,685
3+ earners	9.3%	$116,591	$2,915	$402,972

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

7,038

Average size: 2.27 people

Households with children

1,686

24.0% of households

Per-capita income

$36,477

Poverty rate: 10.6%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

73.6% owner-occupied vs. state average 71.7%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 84.9% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 11.9%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

83.6% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,956.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $122,500.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $795.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 973 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 9.8% · For rent 9.1% · Seasonal 6.0% · Other 60.4%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

30.8% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 69.2% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

0.7%

58 units of 8,011 total

Housing units held for seasonal or recreational use.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

7.3%

588 units of 8,011 total

⚑ Above the 5% threshold — possible indicator of disinvestment, abandonment, or condemned stock.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$52,055

100% MHI$65,069

120% MHI$78,083

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Hardin County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$52,750	$60,250	$75,300
100% AMI	$63,070	$72,080	$90,100
120% AMI	$75,700	$86,500	$108,100

HUD FMR Area: Hardin County, IA. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

41.5% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (21.4% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

14.5% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Hardin County.

Covered employment

3,963

Across 14 sectors

Establishments

483

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$53,584

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	802	$33,272	$92,830	−$29,670	$832
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	554	$62,263	$200,745	+$78,245	$1,557
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	448	$68,679	$224,627	+$102,127	$1,717
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	446	$45,773	$139,363	+$16,863	$1,144
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	435	$88,232	$297,410	+$174,910	$2,206
NAICS 72 Accommodation and food services NAICS 72	358	$15,975	$28,445	−$94,055	$399
NAICS 52 Finance and insurance NAICS 52	259	$73,968	$244,314	+$121,814	$1,849
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	155	$64,844	$210,352	+$87,852	$1,621
NAICS 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 54	154	$63,936	$206,972	+$84,472	$1,598
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	149	$48,052	$147,846	+$25,346	$1,201
NAICS 51 Information NAICS 51	93	$51,064	$159,058	+$36,558	$1,277
NAICS 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation NAICS 71	60	$13,414	$18,912	−$103,588	$335
NAICS 53 Real estate and rental and leasing NAICS 53	27	$57,797	$184,121	+$61,621	$1,445
NAICS 22 Utilities NAICS 22	23	$111,401	$383,653	+$261,153	$2,785

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	330	$57,460	$182,866	+$60,366	$1,437
NAICS 623 Nursing and residential care facilities NAICS 623	322	$37,609	$108,974	−$13,526	$940
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	291	$40,623	$120,193	−$2,307	$1,016
NAICS 424 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods NAICS 424	274	$89,959	$303,838	+$181,338	$2,249
NAICS 445 Food and beverage retailers NAICS 445	217	$24,958	$61,883	−$60,617	$624
NAICS 455 General merchandise retailers NAICS 455	215	$29,141	$77,453	−$45,047	$729
NAICS 112 Animal production and aquaculture NAICS 112	203	$51,913	$162,218	+$39,718	$1,298
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	190	$71,755	$236,077	+$113,577	$1,794
NAICS 621 Ambulatory health care services NAICS 621	174	$69,623	$228,141	+$105,641	$1,741
NAICS 236 Construction of buildings NAICS 236	169	$64,345	$208,494	+$85,994	$1,609
NAICS 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 541	154	$63,936	$206,972	+$84,472	$1,598
NAICS 311 Food manufacturing NAICS 311	138	$76,037	$252,016	+$129,516	$1,901
NAICS 423 Merchant wholesalers, durable goods NAICS 423	138	$91,008	$307,743	+$185,243	$2,275
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	132	$94,822	$321,940	+$199,440	$2,371
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	117	$27,887	$72,785	−$49,715	$697
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	102	$59,575	$190,739	+$68,239	$1,489
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	99	$60,205	$193,084	+$70,584	$1,505
NAICS 562 Waste management and remediation services NAICS 562	78	$50,106	$155,492	+$32,992	$1,253
NAICS 237 Heavy and civil engineering construction NAICS 237	55	$84,686	$284,211	+$161,711	$2,117
NAICS 524 Insurance carriers and related activities NAICS 524	46	$76,467	$253,617	+$131,117	$1,912
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	45	$56,169	$178,061	+$55,561	$1,404
NAICS 459 Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers NAICS 459	31	$74,679	$246,961	+$124,461	$1,867
NAICS 449 Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers NAICS 449	27	$34,825	$98,611	−$23,889	$871
NAICS 813 Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations NAICS 813	25	$20,500	$45,288	−$77,212	$513
NAICS 221 Utilities NAICS 221	23	$111,401	$383,653	+$261,153	$2,785
NAICS 425 Wholesale trade agents and brokers NAICS 425	23	$51,005	$158,838	+$36,338	$1,275
NAICS 523 Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities NAICS 523	22	$91,221	$308,536	+$186,036	$2,281
NAICS 456 Health and personal care retailers NAICS 456	21	$59,033	$188,721	+$66,221	$1,476
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	13	$66,658	$217,104	+$94,604	$1,666
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	1	$79,804	$266,038	+$143,538	$1,995

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	1,270	(110)	(8%)	$12.11	$25,190	$62,746	$630
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	410	(370)	(47%)	$13.07	$27,180	$70,154	$680
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	2,190	(770)	(26%)	$13.41	$27,890	$72,797	$697
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	3,670	590	19%	$14.22	$29,580	$79,087	$740
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	2,500	(380)	(13%)	$16.08	$33,440	$93,456	$836
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	1,280	(190)	(13%)	$17.17	$35,710	$101,905	$893
Tellers SOC 43-3071	470	(310)	(40%)	$18.73	$38,970	$114,040	$974
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	1,770	(1,020)	(37%)	$19.74	$41,060	$121,820	$1,027
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	1,620	20	1%	$20.51	$42,660	$127,775	$1,067
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	100	—	—	$22.24	$46,270	$141,213	$1,157
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	1,120	(130)	(10%)	$23.81	$49,530	$153,348	$1,238
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	1,000	(110)	(10%)	$24.91	$51,810	$161,835	$1,295
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	290	(140)	(33%)	$26.22	$54,540	$171,997	$1,364
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	2,380	(270)	(10%)	$26.31	$54,730	$172,704	$1,368
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	1,570	150	11%	—	$58,510	$186,775	$1,463
Electricians SOC 47-2111	530	50	10%	$28.36	$58,990	$188,561	$1,475
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	100	(150)	(60%)	$28.51	$59,300	$189,715	$1,483
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	190	60	46%	$29.15	$60,630	$194,666	$1,516
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	440	0	0%	$33.55	$69,780	$228,725	$1,745
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	2,250	230	11%	$37.36	$77,700	$258,206	$1,943

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 19083 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.