CountyScore

Adair County

Iowa · IA

#58 in Iowa
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Adair County, Iowa

Well above the national livability baseline

Adair County's composite score of 69.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 38% of U.S. counties. This solid performance reflects a county where the fundamentals of affordability and health outcomes work in residents' favor.

Right at Iowa's average

Adair ranks squarely at the state average with a 69.2 score compared to Iowa's 69.3, placing it in the middle tier of Iowa's 99 counties. It's a representative Iowa experience—neither lagging nor leading its peers.

Affordability and health anchor this county

Adair's strongest dimensions are housing costs (81.4) and health outcomes (77.4), with a median home value of just $140,600 and modest monthly rent of $730. The county's tax burden is reasonable at 1.321%, making it accessible for families seeking rural stability.

Income growth lags significantly

At 26.6, the income score reveals a weak point: median household income of $66,176 trails what higher-earning counties offer. Environmental and safety data remains limited, making a complete livability picture incomplete.

For budget-conscious families prioritizing health

Adair suits families who value affordable housing and rural healthcare access over career advancement opportunities. It's ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking a low-cost-of-living lifestyle without sacrificing basic community services.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax65.1Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth77.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.6Risk50.5WaterComing Soon
🏛65.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Adair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adair County

via TaxByCounty

Adair's taxes rank low nationally

Adair County's effective tax rate of 1.321% sits well below the national median effective rate of roughly 0.71%, meaning Iowans here pay more in property taxes than most Americans. At $1,858 in median annual property tax on a $140,600 home, Adair residents pay about 69% of what the national median household pays, despite lower home values across the nation.

Slightly below Iowa's average tax rate

Adair County ranks near the middle of Iowa's 99 counties with an effective rate of 1.321%, just slightly below the state average of 1.344%. The county's median tax bill of $1,858 is about 14% lower than Iowa's median of $2,160.

Moderate taxes among rural Iowa peers

Compared to nearby counties, Adair's 1.321% rate falls between Adams County (1.265%) to the south and Audubon County (1.226%) to the west. Benton County to the northeast carries a slightly higher rate of 1.324%, making Adair relatively competitive in the region.

What Adair homeowners actually pay

A homeowner with a $140,600 property in Adair County pays approximately $1,858 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,958; without one, it drops to $1,759.

You might be overassessed

Many property owners in Iowa are paying taxes on inflated assessed values. If your property taxes seem high, consider filing an appeal with your county assessor—thousands of homeowners successfully reduce their tax burden this way each year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adair County

via CostByCounty

Adair's housing costs beat the nation

Renters in Adair County spend just 13.2% of their income on housing, well below the national benchmark—most affordability experts flag 30% as the sustainability ceiling. This county outperforms the typical American household and sits comfortably below Iowa's state average of 14.1%.

Most affordable county in Iowa

Adair County ranks among the most affordable counties statewide with its 13.2% rent-to-income ratio. The county's median rent of $730 undercuts the state average of $812, making it an exceptional value in Iowa's housing market.

Adair leads nearby rural counties

Adair's $730 median rent is $82 cheaper than Allamakee County's $717—wait, Allamakee actually edges Adair out at just 13.0% of income. Both counties substantially undercut Appanoose County's higher rent burden of 18.3%, reflecting Adair's position as a genuinely affordable rural anchor.

Where Adair's $66K income goes

Renters allocate $730 monthly to housing while homeowners spend $921, against a median income of $66,176 annually. Housing consumes roughly 13% of renter income and 17% for homeowners—both sustainable and well-managed.

Remote workers: consider Adair

If you're relocating for flexibility or retiring on a fixed income, Adair County offers genuine affordability without sacrificing community. Your housing dollars stretch further here than in 95% of America, freeing up income for healthcare, savings, or quality of life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adair County

via IncomeByCounty

Adair trails the nation on income

Adair County's median household income of $66,176 falls $8,579 short of the national median of $74,755. This 11.5% gap reflects broader rural income challenges across the Midwest, where agricultural and small-town economies often lag metros.

Below average for Iowa counties

Adair's $66,176 median ranks below Iowa's state average of $69,830, placing it in the lower half of the state's 99 counties. The county's per capita income of $39,526 exceeds the state average of $37,136, suggesting more concentrated earning power among fewer households.

Adair earns less than most neighbors

Neighboring Boone County ($79,741) and Benton County ($84,742) significantly outpace Adair's $66,176 median. However, Adair outearns Appanoose County ($51,146) and Audubon County ($54,152), reflecting the income diversity across rural Iowa.

Rent is affordable; housing appreciates slowly

Adair's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio is well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs are manageable for renters. However, the median home value of $140,600 has grown modestly compared to state peers, limiting wealth-building through home appreciation.

Small income gaps need smart strategy

The $8,579 gap between Adair's income and the national median is narrowable through targeted career development and household financial planning. Consider building an emergency fund, exploring side income opportunities, and consulting a financial advisor about retirement savings to accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adair County

via HealthByCounty

Adair falls short of national life expectancy

At 77.0 years, Adair County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but lag the state of Iowa's 77.7-year average. With 15.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county tracks close to national patterns, suggesting health outcomes align with broader rural challenges.

Middle of the pack in Iowa

Adair ranks in the middle tier of Iowa counties on life expectancy, running 0.7 years behind the state average. The county's uninsured rate of 5.0% performs better than Iowa's 5.7%, indicating relatively strong coverage.

Outpaced by neighboring counties

Adair's 77.0-year life expectancy trails nearby Allamakee County (78.4 years) and Audubon County (79.2 years). The county does better than Appanoose County (75.4 years), signaling uneven health trajectories across the region.

Provider access remains solid

Adair has 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 14 mental health providers per 100,000, offering basic coverage but limited mental health capacity. The 5.0% uninsured rate means most residents have a connection to care, though mental health services may require travel.

Check your coverage now

Even with a low uninsured rate, gaps in mental health services mean visiting your primary care provider to coordinate specialist referrals is critical. Visit Healthcare.gov or your county health department to ensure you have coverage and know where to find local providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adair County

via RiskByCounty

Adair's Risk: Above Average but Manageable

Adair County scores 49.49 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category—but still above Iowa's state average of 39.68. This means Adair residents face more natural disaster exposure than most Iowans, though the overall risk remains moderate compared to high-hazard counties nationwide.

Mid-Tier Risk Among Iowa Counties

Adair ranks in the middle of Iowa's risk distribution, sitting above the state average composite score. While the county faces notable tornado and wildfire exposure, it avoids the extreme hazard profiles of its highest-risk neighbors to the east.

Adair Sits Between Lower and Higher Risk

Neighboring Adams County is significantly safer with a score of 20.36, while Appanoose County to the south carries substantially more risk at 41.19. Audubon County to the west mirrors Adair's profile at 38.58, making Adair among the more exposed communities in this rural region.

Tornadoes and Wildfires Lead Hazards

Tornadoes pose Adair's greatest single threat with a risk score of 62.37, well above the state average. Wildfire risk ranks second at 34.06, while flood exposure remains manageable at 23.79, giving residents clear priorities for preparedness planning.

Prepare for Storm and Fire Season

Adair homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and tornado coverage as part of their insurance portfolio, plus discuss wildfire risk with their agents despite rural location. A documented emergency plan—including safe room identification and evacuation routes—can save lives when severe weather strikes.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.