Grinnell, IA
Census place 1933105 · pop 9,505
Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.50 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
87.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.51% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
38.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$65,320 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
17.1% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
1238 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 12.1% · better than most cities
11.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
13.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities
64.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
24.6% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
169 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
37.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+5.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$209,500 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities
6.6% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
2.9% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
49/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
12 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
Not measured for Grinnell: Air, Bad air, Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Grinnell, IA a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Grinnell scores 59/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time and its weakest is income inequality. Iowa overall ranks #11 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Grinnell, IA?
- Grinnell reports 169 violent crimes per 100k and 1238 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Grinnell, IA expensive to live in?
- Grinnell has a median home value of $209,500 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Grinnell, IA?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.50) — 11/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Grinnell, IA best at?
- Its strongest measured area is commute time (12 min) — 99/100, better than most U.S. cities.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.