countyscore
56.3
County Score
Income & Jobs 88.2Health 88Lawn Care 73.7

County Report Card

About Benton County, Iowa

Strong National Standing for Benton

Benton County achieves a composite score of 56.0, clearing the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high-functioning county with assets that appeal to a wide range of residents.

Matching Iowa's High Standards

Benton's 56.0 score aligns almost perfectly with the Iowa state average of 55.6. It serves as a quintessential example of Iowa's reliable and steady quality of life.

High Incomes and Elite Health

The county thrives economically with an income score of 88.3, supported by a median household income of $84,742. Health services are equally impressive, earning a stellar score of 88.0.

Addressing Water Quality and Taxes

Infrastructure presents a challenge with a low water score of 36.1, which lags behind many neighbors. Residents also feel the weight of taxes, as the category score sits at 19.9.

Built for High-Earning Professionals

Benton County is ideal for established professionals seeking high wages and excellent healthcare. It offers a prosperous environment for those who prioritize earning potential and medical access.

2040608010018.642.473.58848.588.271.236.149.5Tax18.6Cost42.4Safety73.5Health88Schools48.5Income88.2Risk71.2Water36.1Weather49.556.3/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Benton County DNA

Foverall

How Benton County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Benton County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (88/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (18.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
18.6-33.4
Cost
42.4
Safety
73.5+18.5
Health
88+38
Schools
48.5
Income
88.2+37.2
Risk
71.2+24.200000000000003
Water
36.1-21.9
Weather
49.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Benton County?

Many homeowners in Benton County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$208,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$826/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$208,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,962/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Buchanan County
Iowa
61.1
Tama County
Iowa
56.9
Linn County
Iowa
40.4
Black Hawk County
Iowa
40.7
Iowa County
Iowa
57.2
Grundy County
Iowa
68.1
Poweshiek County
Iowa
46.9
Delaware County
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59.6

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Benton County

via TaxByCounty

Benton's taxes moderate relative to nation

Benton County's effective tax rate of 1.324% is close to the national average, with a median property tax of $2,627—nearly matching the national median of $2,690. Residents here face a tax burden more typical of the broader U.S. than most Iowa counties.

Slightly above average in Iowa

Benton County's effective rate of 1.324% sits just slightly below Iowa's state average of 1.344%, placing it in the middle range statewide. With a median tax of $2,627, it's about 21% higher than Iowa's median of $2,160.

Higher taxes in the northeast region

Benton County's 1.324% rate exceeds nearby Allamakee (1.223%) and Adair (1.321%), making it one of the pricier counties in northeast Iowa. Only Black Hawk (1.530%) and Boone (1.434%) nearby carry significantly higher rates.

Benton homeowner tax burden

A median home valued at $198,400 in Benton County generates an annual property tax of approximately $2,627. With a mortgage, taxes reach $2,758; without one, they're about $2,417.

Assessment appeals can pay off here

With above-average tax rates, Benton County homeowners have even more incentive to verify their assessments. An appeal that reduces your valuation by 10% could save you $260+ annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Benton County

via IncomeByCounty

Benton leads Iowa on household income

Benton County's median household income of $84,742 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $9,987, a robust 13.4% advantage. The county ranks among Iowa's wealthiest and benefits from manufacturing, technology, and agricultural prosperity concentrated in the Cedar Rapids metro area.

Benton tops Iowa's income rankings

At $84,742, Benton County's median household income ranks among the highest in Iowa, well above the state average of $69,830. The per capita income of $40,995 also exceeds the state average of $37,136, reflecting broad-based earning strength.

Benton dominates the region's earnings

Benton's $84,742 substantially outearns all profiled neighbors, including high-performing Boone County ($79,741) and Adair ($66,176). This advantage stems from Benton's role as home to Cedar Rapids' suburban growth and industrial base.

Housing costs are minimal concern

Benton's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among the eight counties, indicating housing costs are highly manageable for residents. The median home value of $198,400 is the highest in this group, reflecting strong property appreciation and wealth accumulation.

Leverage Benton's prosperity wisely

With income above the national median and minimal housing burden, Benton residents are positioned to accelerate wealth building through aggressive retirement saving and investment. Consider maxing out 401(k) contributions, diversifying into real estate or stocks, and working with a wealth advisor to compound long-term gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Benton County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety for Benton Families

Benton County scores a 99.0 for safety, representing a very secure environment compared to the rest of the country. The total crime rate of 631.5 per 100K is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in Iowa Public Safety

Benton outperforms the state average safety score of 98.3 and the state average crime rate of 1,095.3. It stands as a safer alternative to many of its Central Iowa counterparts.

Safer than Regional Urban Centers

Benton's crime rate of 631.5 per 100K is lower than Boone County's 681.7 and significantly lower than Black Hawk's 1,739.2. This positioning makes it a regional leader in public safety.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

The rate includes 444.4 property crimes and 187.1 violent crimes per 100K residents. While the safety score is high, these figures suggest a need for continued awareness of property security.

Smart Security for High Safety

Smart locks and security cameras provide an extra layer of defense against property crimes. These simple investments help preserve the county's standing as a high-safety zone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Benton County

via WeatherByCounty

Benton Experiences a Traditional Four-Season Climate

Benton County averages 47.1°F, trailing the national median by nearly 6 degrees. The county experiences moderate annual precipitation of 37.0 inches.

Representative of Central Iowa Weather

It sits just below the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. This makes it highly representative of the central Iowa climate corridor.

Similar Temperatures with Higher Rainfall

Benton closely mirrors Audubon in temperature but receives more rain at 37.0 inches. This precipitation level is higher than the state average of 36.1 inches.

Moderate Snowfall and Summer Heat

Residents see 12 days of 90-degree heat and 30.8 inches of annual snow. January is the coldest month, averaging 18.1°F.

Tires and Drainage for Damp Conditions

Winter tires are advisable to manage the 30-plus inches of snow. Homeowners should prepare for a damp climate with 37 inches of annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Benton County

via SoilByCounty

Woodland-Derived Alfisols in Benton

Benton County soil is categorized as Alfisols, with a pH of 6.30 that sits below the Iowa average of 6.43. These soils typically form under forest cover and are known for distinct sub-surface clay accumulation.

The Ideal Loamy Texture

The dominant texture is loam, featuring a balanced mix of 28.4% sand, 50.8% silt, and 20.1% clay. This balanced texture makes the soil exceptionally easy to work for both farmers and backyard gardeners.

High Organic Matter and Drainage

Organic matter is strong at 3.45%, though it trails the state average of 3.81%. The available water capacity of 0.182 in/in is slightly lower than the state average, meaning consistent watering is key during dry weeks.

Excellent Drainage for Solid Foundations

This soil is well drained and belongs to hydrologic group B. This group indicates a moderate infiltration rate, making it an excellent choice for building foundations and garden drainage alike.

Deep-Rooted Favorites for Zone 5a

Zone 5a conditions are ideal for cool-weather favorites like broccoli and carrots. The loamy texture provides an incredible head start for any gardener looking to establish deep-rooted perennials.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Benton County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Challenges in Benton County

Benton County presents a lawn difficulty score of 73.7, which is slightly more challenging than the Iowa state average. As a Zone 5a region, it faces specific climate and soil hurdles that require a more hands-on approach. Despite this, it remains far more favorable for grass than the national median score of 50.0.

Moderate Temperatures and Good Rainfall

The county receives 37.0 inches of precipitation annually, exceeding the state average and providing a strong base for growth. It experiences a relatively mild summer with only 12 extreme heat days over 90°F. The 2,785 growing degree days offer a steady pace for development without the explosive, unmanageable growth seen in warmer areas.

Premium Loam Soil Foundation

Benton County is blessed with loam-textured soil that is well-drained and ideal for home lawns. The composition of 20.1% clay and 28.4% sand provides a perfect balance of moisture retention and aeration. With a pH of 6.30, the soil chemistry is perfectly suited for most standard lawn fertilizers and organic treatments.

Recovering from Extended Drought

A significant challenge has been the 20 weeks of drought over the past year, with 86.6% of the county currently abnormally dry. This duration is high for Iowa and can lead to thinning turf if not managed with deep watering. Focusing on soil health and organic matter can help the loam soil retain more moisture during these long dry spells.

Spring and Fall Growth Windows

Loam soils in Zone 5a are perfect for diverse seed mixes, including Kentucky Bluegrass and Turf-type Tall Fescue. Wait until after the May 3 spring frost to start new projects, or target the period before the October 10 fall frost. Early autumn is especially effective here, as the well-drained soil stays warm enough for germination deep into September.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Benton County's county score?
Benton County, Iowa has a composite county score of 56.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Benton County rank among counties in Iowa?
Benton County ranks #59 among all counties in Iowa on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Benton County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Benton County is $2,727, with an effective tax rate of 1.31%. This earns Benton County a tax score of 18.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Benton County?
The median household income in Benton County, Iowa is $86,962 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Benton County earns an income score of 88.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Benton County, Iowa a good place to live?
Benton County scores 56.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #59 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Benton County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Benton County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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