CountyScore

Allamakee County

Iowa · IA

#41 in Iowa
70.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Allamakee County, Iowa

A solid national performer in livability

Allamakee County's score of 70.8 places it in the top 42% of U.S. counties, well above the national median of 50.0. The county delivers a respectable blend of affordability and quality-of-life measures that appeal to many lifestyle preferences.

Above average within Iowa

Allamakee scores 70.8 versus Iowa's 69.3 average, putting it in the upper third of the state's 99 counties. It's a county that consistently delivers livability results that exceed the state norm.

Housing affordability is exceptional here

Allamakee's cost score of 82.7 is among Iowa's highest, with median rent of just $717 and an effective tax rate of 1.223%. The county's low tax burden and bargain housing make it one of the most affordable places in the state.

Income and risk are areas of concern

The income score of 26.5 reflects median household income of $66,000, limiting upward mobility for wage earners. Risk management scores (61.8) suggest modest environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant consideration.

Ideal for retirees and budget seekers

Allamakee is perfect for families and retirees prioritizing lowest-cost living and tax efficiency over career opportunities. Its exceptional housing affordability and low tax rate make it a magnet for those on fixed incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.9Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth75.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.5Risk61.8WaterComing Soon
🏛67.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.8
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 Allamakee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Covington County
Alabama
70.8
Median income: $50,886
Conway County
Arkansas
70.8
Median income: $51,212
Chaffee County
Colorado
70.8
Median income: $70,909
Union County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $65,697
Warren County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $46,776

Deep Dives

Allamakee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Allamakee County

via TaxByCounty

Allamakee taxes are moderate nationally

Allamakee County's effective tax rate of 1.223% is below the national average, and its median property tax of $2,103 is about 78% of the national median despite homes worth significantly less than the national average of $281,900. The county sits in the favorable range for property tax burden compared to most U.S. regions.

Among Iowa's lowest-tax counties

Allamakee County's effective rate of 1.223% ranks in the bottom tier of Iowa's 99 counties, well below the state average of 1.344%. With a median tax of $2,103, Allamakee is slightly below Iowa's median of $2,160.

Tax leader in northeast Iowa

Allamakee County's 1.223% rate is the lowest in its region, beating nearby Benton County (1.324%) and placing it competitively against Audubon (1.226%) to the west. The county offers genuine tax advantage for northeast Iowa homeowners.

Allamakee property tax payments

A median home valued at $171,900 in Allamakee County incurs approximately $2,103 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect about $2,130; without one, about $2,078.

Consider appealing your assessment

Even in tax-friendly Allamakee County, assessment errors happen—your home might be valued higher than its true market value. A simple appeal to your county assessor could reduce your tax liability significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Allamakee County

via CostByCounty

Allamakee's rentals are genuinely affordable

At 13.0% of income, Allamakee County renters spend below both the national sustainability ceiling and Iowa's 14.1% average. This county delivers superior housing affordability compared to median U.S. household earnings of $74,755.

Iowa's best rental affordability

Allamakee County's 13.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the absolute best in Iowa. The $717 median rent costs $95 less than the state average, reflecting genuine savings for the county's workforce.

Allamakee edges Adair for best value

Allamakee's $717 rent slightly undercuts Adair County's $730, while both crush Appanoose at $779 and Adams at $909. The median home value in Allamakee reaches $171,900—higher than peers—yet rents remain competitive and income-friendly.

Low rent, higher home values

Allamakee renters spend $717 monthly while homeowners commit $849 against a $66,000 annual median income. Remarkably, the county balances low rents with substantial home values ($171,900), suggesting strong ownership equity.

Renters seeking stability: Allamakee wins

If affordability and community stability matter, Allamakee County offers exceptional rental value with a strong homeowning base. Your housing dollars stretch further here than almost anywhere in Iowa, while the higher home values suggest a stable, invested community.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Allamakee County

via IncomeByCounty

Allamakee's income lags national mark

Allamakee County's median household income of $66,000 falls $8,755 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing an 11.7% gap. The county's rural character—popular for outdoor recreation and small farming—reflects income patterns typical of scenic but economically modest regions.

Allamakee below Iowa's average

Allamakee's $66,000 median household income ranks below Iowa's state average of $69,830, situating it in the lower portion of the state's counties. The per capita income of $34,692 trails the state average of $37,136, suggesting more dispersed earning across the population.

Allamakee earns modestly among peers

Allamakee ($66,000) sits below neighbors Adair County ($66,176) and well below the prosperous Benton and Boone counties to the south. However, it outpaces the lower-income counties of Appanoose and Audubon, reflecting Allamakee's tourism and outdoor recreation economy.

Rent affordable; home values appreciating

Allamakee's 13.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable in the region, well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $171,900 is notably high for a county with modest median income, driven by out-of-state buyers seeking rural retreats.

Leverage appreciating home values

The $8,755 income gap versus the national median can be addressed through home equity accumulation and strategic career investment. Strong property appreciation in Allamakee creates opportunities for home-equity financing of education or entrepreneurship—consult a financial planner to maximize this advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Allamakee County

via HealthByCounty

Allamakee leads on life expectancy

At 78.4 years, Allamakee County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 0.7 years beyond Iowa's state average. However, 15.6% report poor or fair health, suggesting longevity may mask underlying chronic conditions.

Top performer in Iowa rankings

Allamakee ranks among Iowa's healthiest counties by life expectancy, though its 7.7% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 5.7%. This gap suggests coverage challenges despite good longevity outcomes.

Best life expectancy in its region

At 78.4 years, Allamakee edges neighboring Audubon (79.2, but rural) and substantially outpaces Adair (77.0), Adams (77.6), and Appanoose (75.4). The county's higher uninsured rate (7.7%) stands out as a regional weakness despite strong longevity.

Good providers, rising uninsured rates

Allamakee delivers 57 primary care providers per 100,000 and 28 mental health providers per 100,000, solid capacity for a rural county. Yet the 7.7% uninsured rate—the highest in this comparison—suggests a subset of residents lack regular care access despite available providers.

Uninsured? Act now.

Allamakee's higher uninsurance rate points to residents missing out on preventive care and mental health services. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore coverage options, or contact your county health department for assistance navigating financial or eligibility barriers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Allamakee County

via RiskByCounty

Allamakee's Risk: Flood-Driven Profile

Allamakee County scores 38.20 overall, placing it just below Iowa's state average of 39.68 in the Very Low category. However, this modest composite masks significant flood vulnerability concentrated in specific areas due to the county's proximity to major river systems.

Below-Average Risk Statewide

Allamakee's Very Low rating positions it among Iowa's safer counties overall. However, the county's flood risk of 50.48 marks it as the clear outlier within its profile—a localized vulnerability that deserves focused attention.

Similar to Region but Wetter

Allamakee's 38.20 score aligns closely with neighboring Audubon at 38.58, but differs dramatically in hazard composition. While Audubon faces wildfire and tornado exposure, Allamakee's signature risk is flood danger from the Upper Iowa and Mississippi River systems.

Flooding Dominates Natural Hazard Profile

Allamakee's flood risk at 50.48 is more than double the state average, driven by river proximity and topography in this blufflands region. Tornadoes rank second at 55.66, while wildfire exposure remains minimal at 16.70.

Flood Insurance Is Essential Here

Allamakee residents in flood-prone areas must secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program—standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Elevate utilities, maintain sump pumps, and know your evacuation routes before flood season arrives.

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.