countyscore
56
County Score
Income & Jobs 88.3Health 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.

2040608010019.940.173.58848.588.371.236.149.5Tax19.9Cost40.1Safety73.5Health88Schools48.5Income88.3Risk71.2Water36.1Weather49.556/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Benton County DNA

Foverall

How Benton County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Benton County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (88/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (19.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
19.9-32.1
Cost
40.1
Safety
73.5+18.5
Health
88+38
Schools
48.5
Income
88.3+37.3
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

$198,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$815/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$198,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $84,742/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
62.4
Tama County
Iowa
56.6
Linn County
Iowa
40.7
Black Hawk County
Iowa
40.7
Iowa County
Iowa
56.6
Grundy County
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69.1
Poweshiek County
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Delaware County
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60.2

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Cost of Living in Benton County

via CostByCounty

Benton's prosperity outpaces housing costs

Benton County renters spend just 11.5% of income on housing—the lowest ratio in this group and well below both the national and state averages. With a median income of $84,742, Benton significantly outearns the national average of $74,755, creating genuine affordability.

Iowa's most affordable wealthy county

Benton County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks at the very top of Iowa's affordability ladder. The combination of strong median income and reasonable $815 rent creates exceptional housing security for renters.

Benton dominates by income and value

Benton County's $84,742 median income leads this entire cluster—$16K+ above Adair and $30K+ above Appanoose. Despite housing costs that reflect quality (median home value $198,400), Benton's wage advantage makes housing feel genuinely achievable.

Benton's high earners, smart housing

Renters earning $84,742 spend $815 monthly on housing (11.5% of income) while homeowners commit $1,131—the highest ownership cost in this cluster. Both figures remain sustainable against Benton's strong income, reflecting a prosperous, well-employed community.

Professionals seeking Iowa stability

If you earn above-average income and value stability, Benton County delivers both affordable rents and genuine home values. Your housing dollars stretch further here than in most of Iowa, while strong median income signals job opportunity and economic resilience.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Schools in Benton County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Broad Network of Rural Schools

Benton County features 12 public schools across three districts, supporting a large student population of 4,020. The infrastructure is diverse, including six elementary schools and three high schools.

Balanced Performance and High Value

The county achieves a 90.3% graduation rate, outpacing the national average of 87.0%. Education is delivered efficiently with per-pupil spending at $7,158, which is slightly below the Iowa state average while maintaining a solid school score of 54.0.

Benton and Vinton-Shellsburg Districts

The Benton and Vinton-Shellsburg districts are the heavy hitters here, serving 1,682 and 1,555 students respectively. All 12 schools are traditional public institutions, as the county currently hosts no charter schools.

The Heart of Rural Iowa Education

Nearly all schools operate in rural settings, with an average enrollment of 335 students. Tilford Elementary is the largest school with 578 students, while the county also offers several smaller middle and high school environments.

A Stable Environment for Education

Benton County offers a vast selection of rural schools and districts that consistently outperform national graduation benchmarks. Explore homes in Vinton or Atkins to find the perfect match for your family's educational goals.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Benton County

via RiskByCounty

Benton County: Iowa's Safest Profile

Benton County's composite score of 28.82 ranks among Iowa's lowest and well below the state average of 39.68, placing it in the Very Low risk category. This favorable profile reflects below-average exposure across nearly all major natural hazard categories.

Among Iowa's Most Protected Counties

Benton ranks in the bottom tier of Iowa's risk distribution, competing with Adams and Boone for the safest designation. The county's diverse topography and climate provide natural buffers against extreme disaster scenarios.

Safest in Central Iowa Cluster

Benton's 28.82 score outperforms nearby Boone (28.40) as the region's two safest counties and substantially beats more hazardous eastern neighbors. This makes Benton an unusually secure community within its geographic area.

Flood Exposure, Then Tornadoes

Benton's flood risk at 40.33 represents its highest single hazard, though still manageable, while tornadoes score 43.58. Wildfire risk remains minimal at 15.94, making water and wind preparedness the primary focus.

Standard Coverage Sufficient

Benton residents benefit from exceptionally low overall risk and can rely on comprehensive standard homeowners policies covering wind and fire. Regular maintenance, storm awareness, and basic emergency planning provide solid protection in this low-hazard county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Benton County

via WaterByCounty

Critical Health Violations in Benton County

Benton County receives a Grade F after recording 8 health violations over the last five years. The violation rate of 43.0 per 100,000 people is significantly higher than the Iowa average of 25.9.

Stream Impairment Status Not Yet Evaluated

Local water bodies in Benton County have not been assessed under federal §303(d) standards. There is currently no data regarding the share of impaired streams or the causes of pollution.

Toxin Monitoring at Two Study Sites

Two monitoring sites have recorded 665 measurements over the past five years. Notably, researchers focus on cyanotoxins and phytotoxins alongside standard nutrient and physical data.

Cedar River Flows at Sub-Typical Levels

The Cedar River at Vinton is currently discharging 4,200 cfs, which is 72% of its long-term mean. This below-average flow affects a large drainage area of 6,040 square miles.

Take Action to Filter Drinking Water

With eight health violations and toxin monitoring in the area, residents should consider high-quality home filtration. Be especially cautious of water quality when the Cedar River is flowing significantly below typical levels.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

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 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 #60 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 $2,627, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Benton County a tax score of 19.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Benton County?
The median household income in Benton County, Iowa is $84,742 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Benton County earns an income score of 88.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Benton County, Iowa a good place to live?
Benton County scores 56/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #60 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 Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.