The Grimes almanac: the town by the numbers, in one place.
One reference page for the numbers that describe Grimes, Iowa, all sourced, updated as new counts come in.
People
Population and growth
2010 Census8,246
2020 Census15,392
Growth 2010 to 2020+86.7%
2025 special census17,809
Money and housing
Income and homes
Median household income~$120,037
Median home value~$304,700
Homeownership rate~70.9%
Place
Geography and government
CountiesPolk + Dallas
ZIP code50111
Area code515
School districtDallas Center-Grimes
City websitegrimesiowa.gov
History
Founding
Platted1881
Incorporated1894
Named forGov. James W. Grimes
Named for James W. Grimes, the third Governor of Iowa and later a U.S. Senator, which is also where the June Governor's Days festival gets its name. More in our history guide.
Local anchors
Good to know
Schools: Dallas Center-Grimes, home of the Mustangs, Little Hawkeye Conference.
Golf: Beaver Creek Golf Course, public, 27 holes.
Market: Grimes Farmers and Community Market, Saturdays at Heritage Park in season.
Festival: Governor's Days, first weekend of June.
The town, tracked weekly
The Grimes Brief keeps these numbers current and tells you what is changing. Free every Monday.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2010 and 2020 decennial counts, 2025 special census, American Community Survey for income and housing); City of Grimes; Dallas Center-Grimes CSD. Figures are approximate and revised as new data is released. Updated September 2026.
The Grimes Brief, free every Monday.What is new, what to do, home sales. One email.
Free, every Monday 7 AM
Get the Grimes briefing.
Everything new in Grimes this week, in one email. No spam, unsubscribe any time.