Hardin
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Hardin County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is in the bottom 6% of American counties (1.4 years of income), population growth is in the bottom 12% of American counties (-0.9% a year), and the median home price is in the bottom 14% of American counties ($145K). Within Iowa it ranks 9th of 99 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hardin County, Iowa. 16,861 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -130).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,656 a year, higher than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,065. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 67% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,457 a year.

Home

The median home costs $145K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $700 a month. Property tax is 1.42% of home value, roughly $1,556 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 84% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 6.5 per 10,000 people. 7.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.13 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 73% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 32 points. 69% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 78% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 221 Mbps down, faster than 60% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.