CountyScore

Adams County

Iowa · IA

#21 in Iowa
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Iowa

A strong performer in the national context

Adams County scores 71.9, placing it in the top 36% of U.S. counties and well above the national median of 50.0. This above-average performance signals a county with solid livability fundamentals across multiple dimensions.

Among Iowa's better-scoring counties

At 71.9, Adams outperforms Iowa's state average of 69.3 and ranks in the upper half of Iowa's 99 counties. It's a county that Iowans recognize as delivering measurably better livability outcomes.

Low risk and strong health outcomes lead

Adams excels in risk mitigation (79.7) and health (77.7), supported by an effective tax rate of just 1.265% and median home prices of $116,900. The county balances affordability with protective factors that keep residents safe and healthy.

Income growth remains constrained

The income score of 28.3 indicates median household earnings of $68,828 are modest compared to wealthier counties. Safety and school data are not yet available, limiting full visibility into community quality.

For risk-averse families seeking stability

Adams County appeals to families prioritizing safety, health, and low housing costs over high earning potential. It's an excellent fit for retirees, modest-income workers, and anyone seeking a secure, affordable rural lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.7Cost80.5SafetyComing SoonHealth77.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.3Risk79.7WaterComing Soon
🏛66.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡79.7
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 Adams County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams has low property taxes nationally

Adams County's effective tax rate of 1.265% falls below the national average, making it a relatively tax-friendly option compared to most U.S. counties. At $1,479 in median annual tax, Adams residents pay roughly 55% of the national median property tax despite homes valued well below the national average of $281,900.

Below-average taxes in Iowa context

Adams County ranks in the lower tier of Iowa's 99 counties with an effective rate of 1.265%, below the state average of 1.344%. The county's median tax of $1,479 is significantly lower than Iowa's median of $2,160, making it one of the state's more affordable property tax jurisdictions.

Lowest taxes in the south-central region

Adams County's 1.265% rate is the lowest among nearby rural counties—Adair (1.321%) and Appanoose (1.253%) are comparable, but Adams offers solid value. To the west, Audubon County matches at 1.226%, making this part of Iowa notably tax-competitive.

What Adams homeowners pay annually

A median home valued at $116,900 in Adams County generates an annual property tax bill of about $1,479. Whether you carry a mortgage or own outright, your taxes stay relatively stable at $1,483 with a mortgage and $1,474 without.

Check if you're overassessed

Even in lower-tax counties like Adams, some homeowners pay more than they should due to assessment errors. Filing an appeal with your county assessor is free and can save you hundreds annually if your property is valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams renters stretch thin nationally

Adams County renters spend 15.8% of income on housing—higher than the national sustainable threshold and above Iowa's 14.1% average. Against the national median income of $74,755, Adams households earn $68,828, intensifying affordability pressure.

Struggling in Iowa's affordability rankings

Adams County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio places it in the less affordable half of Iowa counties. The $909 median rent significantly exceeds the state average of $812, signaling tighter housing budgets for renters.

Priciest rents in this cluster

Adams County's $909 rent is the highest among comparable rural counties—$179 more than Adair's $730 and $192 above Audubon's $707. This premium creates measurably higher rent burdens despite a decent median income of $68,828.

Adams: rent-heavy, income-light

With median rent at $909 and income at $68,828 annually, renters dedicate nearly 16% to housing while homeowners spend $752 monthly. The rent-ownership gap reveals that buying remains substantially cheaper than renting in this market.

Homebuyers find value; renters beware

If you're considering Adams County, purchasing makes financial sense—mortgage costs run nearly $157 less than rent. Renters should weigh the premium against adjacent counties like Adair or Audubon, where affordability improves significantly.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams slightly below U.S. median income

Adams County's median household income of $68,828 trails the national median of $74,755 by $5,927, a 7.9% shortfall. The county still performs better than many rural counties nationwide, reflecting a relatively stable agricultural and small-business economy.

Adams ranks near the Iowa middle

At $68,828, Adams County falls just below Iowa's state average of $69,830, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 99 counties. The per capita income of $41,778 ranks above the state average of $37,136, indicating solid earning potential per person.

Adams holds its own regionally

Adams ($68,828) sits between lower-income counties like Audubon ($54,152) and higher-earning neighbors Boone ($79,741) and Benton ($84,742). The county's income profile is typical for south-central Iowa's mixed agricultural and small manufacturing base.

Rent-to-income ratio warrants attention

Adams's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, though it's higher than several neighboring counties. The median home value of $116,900 offers relatively affordable homeownership compared to Iowa's larger metros.

Close the income gap with planning

The $5,927 shortfall versus the national median is achievable with intentional career moves or additional household income streams. Work with a financial advisor to maximize retirement contributions, leverage home equity strategically, and explore income-boosting opportunities in high-demand fields.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Adams outperforms national health benchmarks

At 77.6 years, Adams County life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years and sits nearly at Iowa's state average of 77.7 years. With 15.3% in poor or fair health, the county reflects solid overall wellness comparable to state norms.

Performing above Iowa's averages

Adams ranks in Iowa's upper-middle tier with a life expectancy just 0.1 year below state average and an uninsured rate of 5.1%, better than the state's 5.7%. The county demonstrates strong health insurance penetration and comparable longevity.

Competitive with regional peers

Adams's 77.6 years trails Allamakee (78.4) and Audubon (79.2) but beats Appanoose (75.4) and Adair (77.0). The county's strong mental health provider capacity at 56 per 100,000 exceeds most neighboring rural counties.

Strong primary care, excellent mental health access

Adams offers 55 primary care providers per 100,000 and an exceptional 56 mental health providers per 100,000, among the highest in the region. With just 5.1% uninsured, residents have good pathways to both routine and behavioral health care.

Maintain your health coverage

Adams's high mental health capacity means you have real options for treatment—but only if you're covered. Verify your insurance status at Healthcare.gov and take advantage of the county's strong provider network for preventive and mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams County: Iowa's Safest Profile

Adams County's composite risk score of 20.36 earns a Very Low rating, making it one of Iowa's safest communities and well below the state average of 39.68. This low-risk profile reflects minimal exposure across most major natural hazard categories compared to typical U.S. counties.

Among Iowa's Lowest-Risk Counties

Adams ranks at the bottom of Iowa's risk scale, significantly outperforming nearly all neighboring counties. The county's Very Low rating reflects consistently modest scores across flood, tornado, and earthquake hazards.

Safest in a Moderate-Risk Region

Adams' 20.36 score stands out sharply against Adair County's 49.49 to the east and Audubon's 38.58 to the north. This makes Adams a notable exception in a rural zone where most counties carry higher composite risk.

Tornadoes Remain Top Concern

Even in low-risk Adams, tornadoes score 38.04—the county's highest single hazard—though still below state average. Wildfire exposure at 31.68 and flood risk at 11.51 remain minimal, making tornado preparedness the primary focus for residents.

Maintain Basic Storm Coverage

Adams residents benefit from low overall risk, but should still carry standard wind and hail insurance and maintain a tornado safety plan. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage stays current with home improvements and inflation.

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.