Butler County's composite score of 71.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it well above the typical American county for quality of life. The score reflects particular strength in healthcare and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Solid middle performer in Iowa
Butler County's 71.4 score surpasses Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the stronger counties in the state. It sits in a competitive tier with several other strong Iowa counties in this analysis.
3 / 5
Cost and health anchor the profile
Butler County's cost score of 80.7 is among the highest, with median home values of just $156,500 and affordable rent at $780/month. Health outcomes score 80.5, indicating solid access to healthcare services.
4 / 5
Income growth significantly constrained
The income score of 28.9 reflects a median household income of only $69,651, limiting economic advancement for ambitious workers. Tax burden (1.379% effective rate) is also slightly elevated compared to neighboring counties.
5 / 5
Perfect for affordable living seekers
Butler County is ideal for retirees, families prioritizing affordability, and those satisfied with modest incomes who value healthcare access and stable communities. It offers excellent bang for your buck in housing and healthcare, though ambitious earners may outgrow its opportunities.
Butler County's composite score of 71.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 43%, placing it well above the typical American county for quality of life. The score reflects particular strength in healthcare and housing affordability.
Solid middle performer in Iowa
Butler County's 71.4 score surpasses Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the stronger counties in the state. It sits in a competitive tier with several other strong Iowa counties in this analysis.
Cost and health anchor the profile
Butler County's cost score of 80.7 is among the highest, with median home values of just $156,500 and affordable rent at $780/month. Health outcomes score 80.5, indicating solid access to healthcare services.
Income growth significantly constrained
The income score of 28.9 reflects a median household income of only $69,651, limiting economic advancement for ambitious workers. Tax burden (1.379% effective rate) is also slightly elevated compared to neighboring counties.
Perfect for affordable living seekers
Butler County is ideal for retirees, families prioritizing affordability, and those satisfied with modest incomes who value healthcare access and stable communities. It offers excellent bang for your buck in housing and healthcare, though ambitious earners may outgrow its opportunities.
Score breakdown
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🏛63.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Butler County's taxes moderately above national average
Butler County's effective tax rate of 1.379% exceeds the national median, placing it in the higher quarter of American tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $2,158 remains below the national median of $2,690, but the county's higher effective rate means residents pay a steeper percentage on their property values.
Among Iowa's higher-tax counties
Butler County ranks in the top third of Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.379%, meaningfully above the state average of 1.344%. Its median annual tax of $2,158 closely matches Iowa's statewide median of $2,160, despite lower home values than state averages.
Elevated rates compared to nearby counties
Butler County's 1.379% effective rate significantly exceeds most regional peers, including Buchanan County (1.334%), Cedar County (1.218%), and Carroll County (1.052%). Only Cass County's 1.428% tops Butler's tax burden in the immediate area.
Expect roughly $2,158 in annual taxes
A homeowner with Butler County's median-valued $156,500 home pays approximately $2,158 per year in property taxes—$2,205 with a mortgage, $2,086 without. Monthly property tax obligations average around $180 for a typical household.
Higher rates make appeals particularly worthwhile
With Butler County's above-average tax rate, any overassessment has outsized financial impact on homeowners. Contacting your county assessor about a formal assessment appeal could deliver substantial annual savings.
Butler County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio sits between the national average and Iowa's 14.1% state norm, positioning it as moderately affordable for renters. The county's $69,651 median income is slightly below the national figure but competitive within Iowa.
Butler ranks middle of the pack statewide
With a 13.4% rent-to-income ratio, Butler County performs slightly better than the Iowa average, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It's neither a standout bargain nor a hardship zone—solid, reliable affordability.
Butler balances cost and income well
Butler's $780 monthly rent is the lowest in its immediate cluster, while the $69,651 income sits in the middle range, making it a practical choice for renters. Neighboring Bremer and Cedar counties demand higher rents; Calhoun and Carroll offer lower costs with similar income.
Balanced housing and income profile
Renters pay $780 monthly and owners $902, with a median home value of $156,500 supported by $69,651 household income—a stable combination. At 13.4% of earnings, housing costs remain below the state average.
Butler offers steady, sensible housing deals
Butler County suits relocators seeking stability without dramatic affordability challenges or exceptional bargains—a practical middle ground with the state's lowest rents in its region ($780). The 13.4% rent-to-income ratio keeps financial risk manageable.
Butler County's median household income of $69,651 falls just under the national median of $74,755 by about 7%. The county's economy leans on agriculture and small manufacturing, a pattern common across rural north-central Iowa.
Near Iowa's state median
Butler's $69,651 median income virtually matches Iowa's state average of $69,830, putting the county squarely in the middle of the state's income distribution. This reflects a typical mix of farm operations and small-town services.
Mid-range among regional peers
Butler ($69,651) ranks between Calhoun ($66,875) and Carroll ($68,528), with Cedar County ($79,080) and Buchanan ($78,430) significantly ahead. Per-capita income of $35,364 suggests lower wealth concentration than top-performing neighbors.
Reasonable housing affordability
Butler's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, protecting renters from cost burden. The median home value of $156,500 is accessible for households near the county median income.
Build modest but steady wealth
Butler's middle-of-the-road income requires disciplined saving and smart housing choices to build long-term wealth. Households should investigate local employer benefits, agricultural land investment (where relevant), and community credit unions.
Butler County edges past national health benchmarks
Butler County's life expectancy of 79.6 years surpasses the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing residents among America's longer-lived populations. The 14.4% poor/fair health rate sits below the national 15.1%, indicating good overall disease management and preventive health practices.
Strong longevity, tight provider access
Butler County's 79.6-year life expectancy beats Iowa's 77.7-year state average by nearly 2 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest. However, the county faces a critical challenge: just 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest rate among Iowa counties studied—strains capacity despite good health outcomes.
Provider shortage outpaces regional averages
With only 14 primary care providers per 100,000, Butler County falls far behind Bremer (48), Carroll (87), and Buena Vista (53), creating a significant access bottleneck. Life expectancy remains strong at 79.6, but the thin provider network suggests residents may travel for specialized care or face longer wait times.
Insurance coverage strong, but access is tight
Only 4.8% of Butler County residents lack health insurance—below the state average of 5.7%—meaning most have coverage access to the limited providers available. Mental health services are equally strained, with just 42 providers per 100,000 residents, potentially creating waitlists for behavioral health care.
Secure coverage despite tight provider network
Butler County's low uninsured rate of 4.8% shows strong insurance uptake, but coverage is only useful with accessible providers—confirm your plan covers services available locally or nearby. If uninsured, Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid ensure you're protected while communities work to expand provider capacity.
Butler County's composite risk score of 27.10 lands solidly in the Very Low category, about 31% below the national average. This means residents face materially less disaster exposure than most American counties.
Well-protected compared to Iowa peers
At 27.10, Butler runs 32% below Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it comfortably in the lower-risk cohort. The county ranks among Iowa's safer regions for overall natural disaster exposure.
Safer than western neighbors
Butler (27.10) matches Bremer (24.55) and Buchanan (24.05) in the safer eastern cluster, but sits 39% below Calhoun (44.56) directly west. Carroll (57.60) and Cass (60.05) present substantially higher risks.
Tornadoes and flooding share top billing
Tornado risk reaches 48.28 in Butler, while flood risk sits at 37.21—both meaningful but not extreme. Wildfire risk (22.42) and earthquake risk (9.16) represent secondary concerns in the county's hazard profile.
Storm and water protection essentials
Butler residents should secure wind and hail coverage in their homeowner policy and establish a household tornado plan. Families near creeks or low-lying areas should separately evaluate National Flood Insurance Program coverage, as standard policies exclude flood damage.