CountyScore

Black Hawk County

Iowa · IA

#92 in Iowa
62.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Black Hawk County, Iowa

Below peer performance nationally

Black Hawk County scores 62.6, placing it in the bottom tier of this group and below the national median of 50.0 in national percentile terms. The county faces compounded challenges in multiple livability dimensions that pull the overall score down.

Well below Iowa's state average

At 62.6, Black Hawk lags Iowa's 69.3 state average by nearly 7 points, ranking in the lower half of Iowa's 99 counties. It's a significant gap indicating performance well below typical Iowa livability standards.

Health and housing remain competitive

Black Hawk's health score of 74.9 is respectable, and housing affordability (cost score 75.1) with median rent of $962 remains workable. The county retains some attractive features despite broader livability challenges.

Risk and tax burden are serious concerns

A risk score of just 23.4 is the lowest in this entire group, signaling significant vulnerabilities in safety or environmental factors. The effective tax rate of 1.530% is also the highest, and income (25.5 score) and housing costs remain pressures.

For risk-tolerant urban-oriented residents

Black Hawk suits those seeking a more urban Iowa environment who can navigate higher taxes and accept elevated risk factors. It's best for families drawn to larger towns and willing to trade livability scores for amenities and services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.2Cost75.1SafetyComing SoonHealth74.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk23.4WaterComing Soon
🏛59.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.4
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 Black Hawk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Brevard County
Florida
62.6
Median income: $75,817
Leon County
Florida
62.6
Median income: $65,074
Yazoo County
Mississippi
62.6
Median income: $40,974
Clay County
Missouri
62.6
Median income: $86,150
Halifax County
North Carolina
62.6
Median income: $45,071

Deep Dives

Black Hawk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Black Hawk County

via TaxByCounty

Black Hawk taxes exceed national norms

Black Hawk County's effective tax rate of 1.530% is notably above the national average, with residents paying a median of $2,790 in annual property tax—essentially matching the national median despite significantly lower home values. Black Hawk stands among the higher-tax counties nationally.

Highest taxes among eight profiled counties

Black Hawk County's 1.530% effective rate ranks among Iowa's highest, far exceeding the state average of 1.344%. The median tax of $2,790 is the highest among our profiled counties and 29% above Iowa's median of $2,160.

Tax burden leader in northeast Iowa

Black Hawk County's 1.530% rate is substantially higher than all regional neighbors, including Benton (1.324%), Boone (1.434%), and Allamakee (1.223%). Only Boone County comes close in the immediate region, making Black Hawk the clear higher-tax option.

Black Hawk's significant tax bills

A median home valued at $182,400 in Black Hawk County generates approximately $2,790 in annual property taxes—the highest median among our profiled counties. With a mortgage, expect $2,799; without one, about $2,776.

Urgent: verify your assessment

With the state's highest profiled tax rate, Black Hawk County homeowners should prioritize assessment review. An overvaluation of just 5% could cost you $140+ annually; correcting it through appeal could yield significant long-term savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Black Hawk County

via CostByCounty

Black Hawk renters feel the squeeze

Black Hawk County renters spend 17.9% of income on housing, substantially above Iowa's 14.1% average and creeping toward concern levels. With median income at $64,581—below the national average of $74,755—renters face measurable affordability strain.

Iowa's more expensive rental market

Black Hawk County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Iowa's less affordable counties. The $962 median rent is the highest in this eight-county cluster, reflecting the county's urban character and competitive housing market.

Black Hawk's urban premium visible

Black Hawk County's $962 rent significantly exceeds all rural peers—$232 above Adair's $730 and even $53 above Adams's $909. The county's median home value of $182,400 suggests stronger property demand, but rents spike accordingly for tenants.

Urban costs meet modest incomes

Black Hawk renters earning $64,581 spend $962 monthly on housing (17.9% of income) while homeowners commit $1,043. Both figures consume substantial income shares, leaving less for savings or unexpected expenses.

Black Hawk: quality of life, not deals

Black Hawk County (home to Waterloo and Cedar Falls) offers urban amenities and job diversity that justify higher rents—but affordability-conscious renters should compare rural alternatives. If you value walkability and services over savings, Black Hawk's competitive market may be worth it.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Black Hawk County

via IncomeByCounty

Black Hawk trails national income median

Black Hawk County's median household income of $64,581 falls $10,174 below the national median of $74,755, a 13.6% shortfall. The county—anchored by the Waterloo metro—reflects income challenges facing Midwest industrial centers affected by manufacturing decline.

Black Hawk below Iowa's average income

At $64,581, Black Hawk's median household income trails Iowa's state average of $69,830 by over $5,200. The per capita income of $37,409 closely mirrors the state average of $37,136, indicating relatively even income distribution across the population.

Black Hawk earnings lag Boone and Benton

Black Hawk ($64,581) underperforms prosperous neighbors Boone ($79,741) and Benton ($84,742), but outearns Appanoose ($51,146) and Audubon ($54,152). The county's modest metro status and manufacturing heritage position it between wealthy Cedar Rapids suburbs and struggling rural counties.

Rent burden elevated for some households

Black Hawk's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest among the eight counties, nearing the stress threshold of 30%. The median home value of $182,400 is relatively high for the county's income level, suggesting housing affordability challenges for renters and first-time buyers.

Target the income-housing affordability gap

The $10,174 income gap and elevated rent-to-income ratio signal a need for household income growth and housing strategies. Pursue career advancement in healthcare, technology, or skilled trades; explore homeownership assistance programs; and build savings aggressively to reduce reliance on rent-burdened housing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Black Hawk County

via HealthByCounty

Black Hawk lags on life expectancy

At 76.7 years, Black Hawk County life expectancy slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years but trails Iowa's 77.7-year state average by 1 year. With 17.5% in poor or fair health, the county faces above-average chronic illness burden.

Below-average Iowa health rankings

Black Hawk ranks in the lower tier of Iowa counties on life expectancy and poor health prevalence, despite having 5.2% uninsured—just below the state average of 5.7%. Coverage levels suggest barriers to health outcomes run deeper than insurance access.

Urban county with mixed outcomes

Black Hawk's 76.7-year life expectancy lags most peers: Audubon (79.2), Benton (79.2), Allamakee (78.4), Adams (77.6), and Adair (77.0). Only Appanoose (75.4) performs worse, suggesting the county faces unique health challenges despite being the most urban in this group.

Exceptional provider capacity, persistent health gaps

Black Hawk County leads the region with 95 primary care providers and 258 mental health providers per 100,000—far exceeding rural neighbors. Despite this exceptional resource density and 5.2% uninsured, the 17.5% poor/fair health rate suggests barriers like poverty, transportation, or health literacy.

Use Black Hawk's provider abundance

Black Hawk has unparalleled access to mental health specialists (258 per 100,000) and primary care—resources most rural counties lack. Verify your coverage at Healthcare.gov and connect with providers; the infrastructure exists to support better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Black Hawk County

via RiskByCounty

Black Hawk: Iowa's Highest-Risk County

Black Hawk County's composite score of 76.59 ranks it Relatively Low but nearly double Iowa's state average of 39.68—the highest score among Iowa counties profiled here. This exceptional risk profile places Black Hawk among the nation's more hazard-exposed communities.

Far Exceeds State Risk Average

Black Hawk stands alone at the top of Iowa's risk hierarchy, with exposure scores substantially higher than any other county in this analysis. The county faces a converging perfect storm of flood, tornado, and earthquake vulnerabilities.

Dramatically Riskier Than Surroundings

Black Hawk's 76.59 far exceeds nearby Benton County at 28.82 and Boone at 28.40, making it a stark exception in central Iowa. The dramatic disparity reflects Black Hawk's unique geography and position in Iowa's most hazard-prone zone.

Catastrophic Tornado and Flood Threats

Black Hawk residents face a tornado risk score of 91.38—the highest in this county set—alongside flood exposure of 76.62 driven by the Cedar River system. Earthquake risk at 39.12 adds a third serious concern, creating an exceptionally hazardous combination.

Comprehensive, Layered Protection Essential

Black Hawk homeowners must secure flood insurance, comprehensive wind/tornado coverage, and discuss earthquake options with agents given the county's exceptional vulnerability profile. Invest in a reinforced safe room, maintain emergency supplies for extended outages, and participate in community preparedness programs.

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.