CountyScore

Buena Vista County

Iowa · IA

#63 in Iowa
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Buena Vista County, Iowa

Solid performer above national average

Buena Vista County's composite score of 68.8 surpasses the U.S. median of 50.0 by 38%, indicating above-average livability compared to most American counties. The score reflects a balanced profile across affordability and health, though with some economic headwinds.

Slightly below Iowa average

At 68.8, Buena Vista County sits just under Iowa's state average of 69.3, placing it in the middle tier of Iowa counties. It offers reasonable livability but ranks lower than several neighboring counties in this sample.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability lead

Buena Vista County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 1.240% and a cost score of 80.0, with median home values of $146,900. Renters benefit too, with median rent at just $835/month.

Income and risk require attention

The county's income score of 26.8 and risk score of 60.7 are the weakest in this cohort, with a median household income of only $66,564 and elevated economic volatility. These figures suggest limited wage growth and employment stability concerns.

Suited for cost-focused, risk-tolerant movers

Buena Vista County works best for residents who prioritize ultra-low housing costs and taxes above all else, and can tolerate economic uncertainty. It appeals to retirees on fixed incomes or rural families seeking minimal tax burden despite limited earning prospects.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.4Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth72.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.8Risk60.7WaterComing Soon
🏛67.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.7
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 Buena Vista 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
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Buena Vista County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Buena Vista County

via TaxByCounty

Buena Vista offers below-average tax rates nationally

At 1.240%, Buena Vista County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median, placing the county in the favorable third of American tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $1,822 annually is notably lower than the national median of $2,690, making homeownership more affordable here than in most U.S. counties.

Among Iowa's most tax-friendly counties

Buena Vista County ranks in the lowest tier of Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.240%, well below the state average of 1.344%. Its median annual tax of $1,822 is the second-lowest among the counties surveyed, offering relief compared to Iowa's statewide median of $2,160.

Lowest taxes in the immediate region

Buena Vista's 1.240% effective rate significantly undercuts all surveyed neighbors, including Carroll County (1.052%) and Cedar County (1.218%). Homeowners here enjoy some of the lowest property tax burdens in north-central Iowa.

Median annual tax just $1,822

A homeowner with Buena Vista's median-valued $146,900 home pays approximately $1,822 annually in property taxes—$1,983 with a mortgage, $1,529 without. Monthly costs run roughly $152, making property ownership particularly affordable in this county.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties like Buena Vista, assessments sometimes exceed fair market value, particularly on properties that have declined in value. Filing a simple assessment appeal costs nothing and could yield additional annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Buena Vista County

via CostByCounty

Buena Vista struggles with affordability

At 15.1%, Buena Vista County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national average and Iowa's 14.1% state norm, signaling tighter housing affordability for renters. The county's lower median income of $66,564—about $8,200 below the national average—compounds the challenge.

Buena Vista among Iowa's least affordable

Buena Vista County ranks below average statewide, with a 15.1% rent-to-income ratio that places it among the counties where housing consumes the largest share of household income. Only a handful of Iowa counties face greater affordability pressures.

Higher rents with lower income

Buena Vista's $835 monthly rent is second-highest in its cluster, but the real problem is the $66,564 median income—the lowest in this group. Neighboring Calhoun County ($690 rent, $66,875 income) and Carroll County ($722 rent, $68,528 income) both offer relief.

Housing takes biggest bite here

Renters spend $835 monthly while owners pay $879, with median home values of $146,900 backed by just $66,564 in household income. At 15.1% of earnings, rent leaves households less cushion than almost anywhere else in the state.

Weigh affordability carefully in Buena Vista

If considering Buena Vista County, understand that housing costs will claim more of your paycheck than state and national averages—the 15.1% rent-to-income ratio is a warning sign. Explore neighboring Calhoun or Carroll counties for meaningfully better affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Buena Vista County

via IncomeByCounty

Below U.S. median, but resilient

Buena Vista County's median household income of $66,564 falls 11% short of the national median of $74,755. Agricultural dependence and smaller employer base characterize the local economy, typical of rural Iowa counties.

Among Iowa's lower-income counties

At $66,564, Buena Vista trails Iowa's state median of $69,830 by about $3,300 per household. The county ranks in the lower half statewide, reflecting challenges common to grain-dependent rural regions.

Struggles alongside similar rural counties

Buena Vista ($66,564) earns similarly to Calhoun ($66,875) but well below Cedar County ($79,080) and Buchanan ($78,430). Cass County ($61,657) ranks lower, suggesting economic pressures spread across northwest Iowa.

Housing costs pinch harder here

Buena Vista's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% is notably higher than the national benchmark, meaning renters dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing. With a median home value of $146,900, homeownership is cheaper than renting locally—a common pattern in agricultural counties.

Strategic planning essential here

Lower median incomes demand disciplined financial planning, including employer retirement plans and low-cost investment options. Buena Vista households should prioritize debt reduction and seek skill-building opportunities tied to higher-wage sectors.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Buena Vista County

via HealthByCounty

Buena Vista life expectancy exceeds national average

At 79.4 years, Buena Vista County residents outlive the U.S. average of 78.9 years by nearly half a year. However, 18.4% of residents report poor or fair health—notably higher than the national 15.1%—signaling a gap between longevity and daily wellness.

Iowa's uninsured crisis hits Buena Vista hardest

Buena Vista County ranks among Iowa's lowest on health outcomes, with 18.4% reporting poor/fair health compared to the state average. Most alarming, the county's 9.7% uninsured rate nearly doubles Iowa's 5.7% average, leaving nearly 1 in 10 residents without insurance protection.

Uninsured rate strains regional comparison

Buena Vista's 9.7% uninsured rate far exceeds neighboring counties like Carroll (4.6%), Calhoun (5.6%), and Cedar (4.5%), signaling unique economic or demographic pressures. The poor/fair health rate of 18.4% also stands well above regional peers, suggesting concentrated health challenges.

Provider access masks coverage gaps

While Buena Vista offers 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county's critical gap lies in mental health support with just 78 providers per 100,000—far below state needs. The real barrier isn't provider scarcity but affordability: nearly 1 in 10 residents lack insurance to pay for the care available.

Break the uninsured cycle in Buena Vista

With 9.7% uninsured, Buena Vista residents face significantly higher barriers to care—but relief is available through Healthcare.gov, Iowa Medicaid, and community health centers offering sliding-scale fees. Starting coverage today prevents medical debt and ensures access to the providers already available in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Buena Vista County

via RiskByCounty

Buena Vista matches national average risk

With a composite score of 39.28, Buena Vista sits just below Iowa's state average of 39.68 and near the national baseline. This Very Low rating indicates manageable but non-negligible disaster exposure.

Middling risk for Iowa standards

Buena Vista's 39.28 score ranks it near the state median, slightly better than average but nothing exceptional. The county faces challenges comparable to Iowa's typical experience across all hazard categories.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Buena Vista (39.28) significantly exceeds Bremer (24.55), Buchanan (24.05), and Butler (27.10) to the east and southeast. Only Carroll (57.60) and Cass (60.05) to the southwest present meaningfully higher composite risk.

Tornado risk dominates the profile

Tornado risk of 73.95 is exceptionally high for Buena Vista, making severe weather the county's primary concern. Flood risk (32.92), wildfire risk (17.88), and earthquake risk (19.37) trail significantly, while hurricane data remains limited.

Tornado preparedness is non-negotiable

Buena Vista residents must prioritize a reliable shelter plan—ideally a basement, safe room, or access to a community shelter. Ensure your homeowner's policy includes wind and hail coverage, and maintain an emergency kit with 72-hour supplies.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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