CountyScore

Bremer County

Iowa · IA

#25 in Iowa
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Bremer County, Iowa

Well above the national livability bar

Bremer County's composite score of 71.8 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties. This 44% advantage over the typical U.S. county reflects strong fundamentals across multiple quality-of-life dimensions.

Top tier in Iowa

Bremer ranks above Iowa's average composite score of 69.3, placing it among the state's stronger counties for overall livability. The county outperforms most of its Hawkeye peers on tax burden and housing affordability.

Health and housing are the pillars

Bremer County excels in health (81.8) and risk management (75.5), signaling strong healthcare access and economic resilience for residents. Housing affordability is also exceptional at 77.5, with a median home value of just $207,200 and rent averaging $844/month.

Income growth lags considerably

The county's income score of 37.8 is notably weaker than its other dimensions, with a median household income of $83,343 suggesting limited high-wage employment. This gap between affordability and earnings potential may limit economic mobility for some households.

Ideal for health-conscious retirees

Bremer County suits families and retirees prioritizing good healthcare, low taxes (1.349% effective rate), and affordable housing over rapid income growth. The strong health and risk profiles make it particularly attractive to older adults and those seeking stability over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.3Cost77.5SafetyComing SoonHealth81.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.8Risk75.5WaterComing Soon
🏛64.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.5
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 Bremer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prairie County
Arkansas
71.8
Median income: $51,094
Brown County
Illinois
71.8
Median income: $72,288
Greene County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $59,753
Huntington County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $62,734
Miami County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $61,130

Deep Dives

Bremer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bremer County

via TaxByCounty

Bremer's tax burden slightly above national norm

At 1.349%, Bremer County's effective tax rate sits just 0.005 percentage points above the national median, making it roughly average for the United States. The median property tax here is $2,796 annually, slightly higher than the national median of $2,690, though Bremer homes are worth considerably less than the national median of $281,900.

Slightly above Iowa's property tax average

Bremer County ranks in the upper half of Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.349%, marginally above the state average of 1.344%. Its median annual tax of $2,796 exceeds Iowa's statewide median of $2,160 by $636, reflecting the county's higher home values relative to other Iowa communities.

Higher taxes than most regional peers

Bremer's 1.349% effective rate outpaces nearby Buchanan County (1.334%) and Cedar County (1.218%), though it trails Cass County's 1.428%. Among its immediate region, Bremer homeowners pay closer to the higher end of the property tax spectrum.

Expect roughly $2,796 in annual property taxes

A homeowner with a median-valued $207,200 home in Bremer County pays approximately $2,796 annually in property taxes—$2,644 if the home carries a mortgage, $3,019 if owned outright. This means a typical household budgets about $233 per month toward property taxes.

Many Bremer homeowners may be overassessed

Research shows that a significant percentage of homeowners across Iowa counties, including Bremer, are paying taxes on inflated property assessments. If you believe your home's assessed value doesn't match current market conditions, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bremer County

via CostByCounty

Bremer rents beat the national average

At 12.2%, Bremer County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national benchmark and well ahead of Iowa's 14.1% average. Renters here spend significantly less of their paycheck on housing than typical American households, making it one of the more affordable rental markets in the region.

Top-tier affordability in Iowa

Bremer County ranks among Iowa's most affordable counties for renters, with a 12.2% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by nearly 2 percentage points. The county's median household income of $83,343 provides strong cushion against housing costs.

Bremer's sweet spot in Northeast Iowa

Neighboring Buchanan County ($802 rent) and Cedar County ($860 rent) offer comparable options, but Bremer's $844 monthly rent paired with the highest median income ($83,343) in this cluster makes it the most forgiving for renters. Just to the west, Calhoun County ($690 rent) undercuts Bremer on housing costs but with $17,000 less in annual income.

Income cushion protects renters here

Renters spend just $844 monthly while homeowners pay $1,037, but Bremer's $83,343 median household income means housing costs consume a manageable slice of earnings. Only 12.2% of income goes to rent—among the lowest percentages statewide.

Consider Bremer if affordability matters

If you're relocating to Iowa, Bremer County offers rare combination: strong wages ($83,343), moderate rents ($844), and the flexibility to buy or rent without financial strain. The county's 12.2% rent-to-income ratio gives you options other regions can't match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bremer County

via IncomeByCounty

Bremer outpaces U.S. income benchmark

Bremer County's median household income of $83,343 sits 11% above the national median of $74,755, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a workforce anchored in manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services that command solid wages.

Among Iowa's income leaders

At $83,343, Bremer County ranks well above Iowa's state median of $69,830—a difference of nearly $13,500 per household. This positions Bremer as one of the state's most prosperous counties, driven by stable employment in industrial and service sectors.

Outearning nearby counties

Bremer's $83,343 median income beats Cedar County ($79,080) and Buchanan County ($78,430), its closest regional competitors. The county's per-capita income of $41,192 also leads the Northeast Iowa cluster, suggesting more balanced wealth distribution.

Housing costs remain manageable

Bremer's rent-to-income ratio of 12.2% is well below the national affordability threshold of 30%, meaning renters spend just over one-tenth of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $207,200, homeownership remains accessible for households earning the county median.

Build on economic momentum

Bremer's above-average income provides a solid foundation for long-term wealth building through homeownership, retirement savings, and investment. With housing costs under control, households here have real opportunity to channel income into diversified financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bremer County

via HealthByCounty

Bremer's life expectancy tops the nation

At 79.7 years, Bremer County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years—a meaningful edge that reflects strong health outcomes across the county. Just 14.2% of residents report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of 15.1%, which suggests this community enjoys both longevity and quality of life.

Among Iowa's healthiest counties

Bremer ranks in the upper tier of Iowa counties, with a life expectancy of 79.7 years compared to the state average of 77.7 years—a 2-year advantage. The county's low poor/fair health rate of 14.2% demonstrates consistent health management across its population.

Outpacing similar northeast Iowa counties

Bremer's 79.7-year life expectancy bests neighboring Buchanan County (79.0 years) and Cedar County (79.1 years), positioning it as a regional health leader. With just 14.2% reporting poor/fair health, Bremer also scores better than Buchanan's 13.5%, showing strength in both longevity and day-to-day wellness.

Strong insurance access, solid provider network

Only 3.6% of Bremer residents lack health insurance—well below Iowa's 5.7% uninsured rate—giving most residents a clear path to care. The county maintains 48 primary care providers and 190 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring accessible care for both physical and behavioral health.

Keep coverage strong in Bremer County

If you're among the 3.6% without insurance, marketplace plans and Medicaid options await through Healthcare.gov or the Iowa Department of Human Services. Don't miss out on preventive care that keeps Bremer County healthy—check your coverage options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bremer County

via RiskByCounty

Bremer sits well below national risk average

With a composite risk score of 24.55, Bremer County ranks in the Very Low category—well below the national baseline. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to major natural disasters than the typical American county.

Among Iowa's safer counties overall

Bremer's score of 24.55 sits 38% below Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it firmly in the lower-risk tier. The county ranks among Iowa's most resilient communities when considering all hazard types combined.

Safer than most immediate neighbors

Bremer (24.55) edges out Buchanan County (24.05) as nearly equal peers, but both are significantly safer than Buena Vista (39.28) and Butler (27.10) to the west. Cedar County (21.50) ranks as the region's safest.

Tornadoes pose the clearest threat

Tornado risk reaches 52.29 in Bremer—a meaningful elevation that demands preparedness despite the county's overall low profile. Flood risk (33.37) and wildfire risk (22.87) remain secondary concerns, with earthquake and hurricane risks minimal.

Storm coverage matters most here

Renters and homeowners should prioritize wind and hail coverage in their insurance policies given tornado exposure. A basement or safe room plan and a household emergency kit are essential investments for any Bremer County resident.

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.