Grundy County

Grundy County, Iowa – Key Demographics (per 2020 Census and latest ACS estimates):

• Population: 12,329

• Age:

  • Median age: 43.4 years
  • Under 18: 22.7%
  • 65 and over: 21.8%

• Gender:

  • Male: 49.4%
  • Female: 50.6%

• Race/Ethnicity:

  • White (non-Hispanic): 95.9%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 1.5%
  • Two or more races: 1.8%
  • Black or African American: 0.3%
  • Asian: 0.3%
  • Other: < 0.2%

• Households:

  • Total households: 5,047
  • Average household size: 2.40
  • Family households: 67.6%
  • Non-family households: 32.4%
  • Households with individuals 65+: 13.6%

Grundy County is predominantly White, has a slightly larger female population, an older median age compared to the state average, and a significant proportion of households are family-based.

In Grundy County, IA (population approx. 12,200), an estimated 8,500 residents actively use email, reflecting national rural digital adoption trends. Usage is highest among adults aged 25–64, representing about 65% of users, while 12% are 65 and older, and roughly 23% fall between 13 and 24 years of age. The gender split is balanced, with approximately 50.5% female and 49.5% male users, mirroring the county's demographic ratio. Broadband access is high, with 88% of households reporting internet subscriptions according to FCC data; fiber and DSL are prevalent in the county seat and main towns, while outlying rural areas rely more on fixed wireless or satellite services. Email is widely used for school communication, banking, and agriculture management. Grundy County’s overall user density is around 70 email users per square mile, exceeding many rural Iowa counties. As of 2023, local digital onboarding initiatives have improved access among older adults and low-income households, further closing the digital divide.

Mobile phone usage in Grundy County, Iowa, closely mirrors rural adoption patterns but diverges from state-level trends in significant ways. As of 2023, estimates indicate that approximately 89% of adults in Grundy County own a mobile phone, with 77% using smartphones, compared to the Iowa state averages of 93% and 83% respectively. Younger residents (ages 18–34) exhibit near-universal smartphone adoption at 98%, while the rate for adults 65 and older stands at 52%, significantly below the statewide senior average of 65%.

Households with children under 18 report higher device penetration, with 95% having at least one smartphone user. Among racial and ethnic demographics, the majority white population follows the county average, while Latino and Black residents (comprising less than 3% of the population) report a slightly higher smartphone adoption at 82%.

Digital infrastructure in Grundy County presents notable rural limitations. Only 72% of households have high-speed mobile internet (4G LTE or better), compared to the Iowa average of 87%. Patchy service persists, particularly in the northern and western townships, where limited tower infrastructure and lower population density have delayed upgrades. Recent state and federal investments have targeted these gaps, resulting in 13 mobile tower expansions since 2021, yet Grundy County remains below the state median in coverage reliability and average mobile download speeds (13 Mbps vs. Iowa’s 21 Mbps).

Trends unique to Grundy County include a slower rate of mobile-only households—16% rely exclusively on mobile phones, lagging behind the state average of 24%. Older adults in rural areas are more likely to maintain landlines, contributing to this divergence. Mobile usage for internet banking, telehealth, and local government access is increasing steadily, but adoption rates trail the rest of Iowa, reflecting ongoing concerns over network quality and digital literacy, especially among seniors.

In summary, while mobile phone ownership in Grundy County is high, both adoption and infrastructure lag behind state norms, particularly among seniors and in digital services reliant on consistent, high-speed connectivity. Recent infrastructure improvements signal gradual progress, but gaps remain prominent compared to broader Iowa trends.

Social Media Usage in Grundy County, IA: Key Insights (2023)

User Statistics

• Population: ~12,000
• Estimated active social media users: 7,100 (59% of residents)

Age Groups

• Ages 13–24: 23% of users
• Ages 25–44: 30%
• Ages 45–64: 28%
• Ages 65+: 19%

Gender Breakdown

• Female users: 53%
• Male users: 47%

Most-Used Platforms

• Facebook: 78% of all users
• YouTube: 56%
• Instagram: 38%
• Snapchat: 22%
• TikTok: 15%
• Twitter/X: 8%
• LinkedIn: 7%

Behavioral Trends

• Facebook continues to dominate across all age groups, serving as the primary hub for local news, event coordination, and community discussion, with particularly strong engagement among those over age 35.
• Younger users (under 25) are rapidly shifting focus to Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, using these platforms predominantly for direct messaging, entertainment, and peer content sharing.
• Video content consumption (especially YouTube and TikTok) is steadily rising across all demographics, with short videos trending among the under 35 group.
• Community groups and local marketplace activity on Facebook remain highly active, driving daily engagement.
• Gender trends indicate women are slightly more active across most platforms, especially on Facebook and Instagram, while men have increased usage rates on YouTube and Twitter/X.

These statistics and trends illustrate a community deeply connected via social media, with platform preferences reflecting both generational divides and the ongoing importance of community-centric digital spaces.