CountyScore

Appanoose County

Iowa · IA

#62 in Iowa
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Appanoose County, Iowa

Livable but challenged on income metrics

Appanoose County scores 68.8, placing it in the top 38% of U.S. counties but slightly below Iowa's average. While the county offers some livability strengths, income constraints and other factors keep it from reaching the state's typical performance.

Slightly below Iowa's livability average

At 68.8, Appanoose falls just beneath Iowa's 69.3 state average, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Iowa's 99 counties. It's a county with competitive affordability but facing income and economic headwinds.

Housing affordability compensates for income gaps

Appanoose's cost score of 82.3 delivers median rent of $779 and homes valued at $119,800, the lowest in this group. The tax burden of 1.253% helps offset the county's income challenges.

Income is notably the weakest link

With an income score of just 16.8 and median household income of $51,146, Appanoose faces significant earning constraints that limit family financial flexibility. Health outcomes (73.2) and risk management (58.8) also trail peer counties.

For those prioritizing ultra-low costs

Appanoose suits families and retirees with minimal income needs who can thrive on fixed budgets. It's best for those who can afford low earnings or rely on retirement savings, as wage growth opportunities appear limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk58.8WaterComing Soon
🏛67
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.8
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 Appanoose County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Buena Vista County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $66,564

Deep Dives

Appanoose County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Appanoose County

via TaxByCounty

Appanoose taxes below national median

Appanoose County's effective tax rate of 1.253% falls below the national average, with residents paying a median of $1,501 in annual property tax. This is roughly 56% of the national median property tax despite homes valued well below the $281,900 national average.

Lower-tier property taxes in Iowa

Appanoose County ranks below Iowa's state average with an effective rate of 1.253%, compared to the state average of 1.344%. The median tax bill of $1,501 is significantly lower than Iowa's median of $2,160.

Competitive taxes in south-central Iowa

Appanoose County's 1.253% rate is nearly identical to neighboring Adams County (1.265%) to the north and lower than Adair (1.321%). The county sits in the region's affordable range for property taxation.

What Appanoose residents pay in taxes

A median home valued at $119,800 in Appanoose County generates a property tax bill of roughly $1,501 annually. With a mortgage, taxes climb to $1,583; without one, they drop to $1,435.

Your assessment might be too high

Property assessment errors are common statewide, and Appanoose County is no exception. If you believe your home is overvalued, file a free appeal with your county assessor—many homeowners recover hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Appanoose County

via CostByCounty

Appanoose faces serious affordability strain

Appanoose County renters spend 18.3% of income on housing—well above the 30% crisis threshold and significantly above Iowa's 14.1% average. With a median income of $51,146, the county's lowest earnings among these peers create real housing hardship.

Among Iowa's least affordable counties

Appanoose County's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio places it in Iowa's most strained housing markets. The combination of below-average income and above-average rent creates measurable affordability challenges for renters.

Appanoose rents pinch hardest

At $779, Appanoose County's median rent is $62 above Adair, $179 below Adams, yet paired with the region's lowest income of $51,146. This toxic combination—high rent, low wages—makes Appanoose objectively the least affordable in this cluster.

Income crisis meets housing cost

Renters earning $51,146 annually spend $779 monthly on housing—18.3% of gross income—while homeowners pay $800. Both renting and owning consume large portions of household budgets, leaving limited margin for other essentials.

Appanoose demands fiscal clarity

Before relocating to Appanoose County, run detailed numbers on your income against these housing costs. If your job doesn't match the county's wage levels, you'll feel the squeeze—nearby counties like Adair offer substantially better affordability for the same region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Appanoose County

via IncomeByCounty

Appanoose faces steepest income challenge

Appanoose County's median household income of $51,146 falls $23,609 below the national median of $74,755, a striking 31.6% gap. This marks the lowest income among the eight profiled counties and reflects deep economic challenges in this south-central Iowa community.

Appanoose ranks among Iowa's lowest

At $51,146, Appanoose's median household income ranks among the lowest in Iowa, trailing the state average of $69,830 by nearly $19,000. The per capita income of $28,911 severely underperforms the state average of $37,136, indicating limited earning capacity across the population.

Appanoose significantly trails all neighbors

Appanoose ($51,146) substantially underperforms every profiled neighbor, including lower-income Adams ($68,828) and Audubon ($54,152) counties. This income disparity signals structural economic challenges distinct from the broader rural Iowa pattern, likely tied to coal mining legacy and industrial decline.

Rent burden is dangerously high

Appanoose's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among the eight counties and approaches the critical affordability threshold of 30%. The median home value of $119,800 is affordable, but renters and lower-wage households face genuine housing stress.

Economic transformation requires bold action

The $23,609 income gap demands urgent household and community strategies: pursue higher-wage job training, consider relocation for opportunity, and maximize available assistance programs. Connect with local workforce boards and financial counselors to identify paths to better-paying careers and build emergency savings as a financial cushion.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Appanoose County

via HealthByCounty

Appanoose struggles with health outcomes

At 75.4 years, Appanoose County life expectancy falls 1 full year below the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 2.3 years below Iowa's 77.7-year state average. With 17.8% in poor or fair health—the highest in this group—the county faces significant health challenges.

Among Iowa's lowest life expectancy

Appanoose ranks near the bottom of Iowa counties on life expectancy and near the top on poor health prevalence. The 5.6% uninsured rate mirrors the state average, suggesting coverage is not the primary barrier to care.

Significant gap behind peers

Appanoose's 75.4-year life expectancy trails every neighboring county: Allamakee (78.4), Audubon (79.2), Adair (77.0), and Adams (77.6) by 2–4 years. The county's poor health trend diverges sharply from regional patterns.

Strong mental health resources, overlooked opportunities

Appanoose boasts 65 primary care providers and an exceptional 124 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest mental health capacity in the region. Despite these resources, the 17.8% poor/fair health rate suggests barriers beyond availability, including access, affordability, or health literacy.

Use available mental health services

Appanoose's exceptional mental health provider network (124 per 100,000) signals county investment in behavioral care—a vital tool for improving overall health. If you're struggling, contact your primary care provider or the county health department to connect with mental health services today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Appanoose County

via RiskByCounty

Appanoose Faces Above-Average Hazard Mix

Appanoose County's composite score of 41.19 ranks it Relatively Low but above Iowa's state average of 39.68, signaling elevated natural disaster exposure. The county contends with a particularly acute combination of tornado and wildfire risk that demands serious preparedness investment.

Higher-Risk Profile Within Iowa

Appanoose ranks among Iowa's most hazardous counties, with risk scores elevated across multiple categories. Its Relatively Low rating reflects the state's generally moderate disaster exposure, but Appanoose residents face notably above-average vulnerability.

Riskiest County in Its Region

Appanoose's 41.19 score substantially exceeds neighboring Adair (49.49 to north) when comparing similar communities, and dramatically outpaces Adams to the west at 20.36. The county stands out as a pocket of elevated risk in southern Iowa.

Tornadoes and Wildfires Peak Here

Appanoose experiences Iowa's highest tornado risk at 73.09, combined with a wildfire score of 59.51 that far exceeds the state average. Earthquake exposure of 31.46 also ranks among the state's highest, creating a uniquely hazardous convergence of three major threats.

Multi-Hazard Insurance Strategy Needed

Appanoose homeowners face exceptional tornado and wildfire exposure requiring comprehensive wind, hail, and fire coverage beyond basic policies. Consider reinforced safe rooms, defensible space landscaping, and a household emergency plan that addresses all three major hazards.

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.