countyscore
62.2
County Score
Safety 92.1Health 91.4Lawn Care 79.9

County Report Card

About Butler County, Iowa

Strong National Standing

Butler County delivers a robust composite score of 62.1, well above the national median of 50.0. This high ranking is fueled by exceptional community safety and resident health.

Outpacing the State Average

The county's score of 62.1 beats the Iowa average of 55.6 by a wide margin. It stands out as one of the safer and healthier options for residents living in the heart of the state.

Unmatched Safety and Health

With a safety score of 92.1 and a health score of 91.4, Butler County is one of the most secure places to live. These elite metrics are complemented by a median home value of $156,500, keeping housing accessible.

Water Infrastructure and Taxes

The tax score of 17.9 and water score of 32.4 represent the county's primary weaknesses. Residents face an effective tax rate of 1.379%, which is among the higher brackets in the region.

The Ultimate Safe Haven

Butler County is a premier choice for retirees and families where safety and medical access are the top priorities. If you can overlook the higher tax rate, the peace of mind offered by the safety and health scores is hard to beat.

2040608010016.954.492.191.452.170.272.932.449.3Tax16.9Cost54.4Safety92.1Health91.4Schools52.1Income70.2Risk72.9Water32.4Weather49.362.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Butler County DNA

Doverall

How Butler County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Butler County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (91.4/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (16.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
16.9-35.1
Cost
54.4
Safety
92.1+37.099999999999994
Health
91.4+41.400000000000006
Schools
52.1
Income
70.2+19.200000000000003
Risk
72.9+25.900000000000006
Water
32.4-25.6
Weather
49.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Butler County?

Many homeowners in Butler County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$165,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$812/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$165,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,715/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.0

per 100K

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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Counties with similar scores

Morgan County
Indiana
Median income: $79,429
62.2
Hancock County
Iowa
Median income: $70,601
62.2
Koochiching County
Minnesota
Median income: $66,940
62.2
Redwood County
Minnesota
Median income: $67,866
62.2
Pawnee County
Nebraska
Median income: $62,188
62.2
Benton County
Indiana
Median income: $65,875
62.3
Whitley County
Indiana
Median income: $78,083
62.3
Norton County
Kansas
Median income: $54,050
62.3

Nearby counties

Bremer County
Iowa
57.7
Grundy County
Iowa
68.1
Floyd County
Iowa
56.2
Franklin County
Iowa
63.9
Black Hawk County
Iowa
40.7
Chickasaw County
Iowa
68.7
Hardin County
Iowa
48.6
Cerro Gordo County
Iowa
42.5

Deep Dives

Butler County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Butler County

via TaxByCounty

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Butler County

via IncomeByCounty

Butler edges below U.S. baseline

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Butler County

via CrimeByCounty

Butler County is One of America's Safest

Butler County boasts a total crime rate of 125.2 per 100K, which is a fraction of the national average of 2,385.5. This near-total absence of reported crime results in a near-perfect safety score of 99.8.

Setting the Standard for Iowa Safety

Butler County significantly outperforms the state average safety score of 98.3. Its crime rate of 125.2 is nearly nine times lower than the Iowa average of 1,095.3 per 100K.

Regional Leader in Crime Prevention

Butler County is considerably safer than neighboring Bremer County, which reports a rate of 967.5. Local law enforcement maintains a high level of security with only two reporting agencies covering the area.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime Incidents

Violent crime is almost non-existent here at just 20.9 per 100K people. Property crime is also extremely rare at 104.3, making Butler County one of the most secure locations for property owners in the country.

Staying Vigilant in Butler County

While crime is exceptionally low, basic safety habits ensure it stays that way. Standard home security measures like locking vehicles and garages are usually enough to maintain this high standard of living.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Butler County

via WeatherByCounty

Continental Extremes in Butler

Butler County's 46.7°F annual average is several degrees cooler than the national median of 53°F. This creates a environment where residents experience high seasonal variability and distinct weather changes.

Fitting the Northern Iowa Profile

The county averages 1.3 degrees less than the Iowa state mean of 48.0°F. Its annual precipitation of 36.0 inches almost perfectly matches the state average of 36.1 inches.

Middle of the Pack Regionally

Butler is slightly warmer than nearby Buchanan County but nearly identical to Buena Vista. With 31.6 inches of snow annually, it receives slightly less frozen precipitation than its western neighbors.

Moderate Summers and Brisk Winters

The summer average sits at 70.9°F with about 12 days of extreme heat reaching 90°F or higher. Winter temperatures dip to a 19.8°F average, with January often seeing lows around 16.2°F.

Balanced Seasonal Home Planning

A steady 31.6 inches of snow means snow removal tools are a necessity for every household. Since the county receives average Iowa rainfall, standard landscaping and drainage are typically sufficient for most properties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Butler County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Iowa Silt and Acidity

Butler County features an average pH of 6.33, sitting just below the state average of 6.43 and the national median of 6.5. Its soil score of 71.9 is remarkably close to the Iowa-wide average of 72.9, making it a representative example of the state's prime farmland. Taxonomic data remains unavailable, but the chemistry supports healthy plant growth.

Balanced Loamy Composition

The soil is comprised of 44.2% silt, 34.1% sand, and 20.1% clay, creating a balanced loamy texture. This mix provides a good middle ground: the silt and clay retain nutrients, while the sand ensures enough pore space for oxygen to reach roots. It is a highly versatile medium that is neither too heavy nor too light.

Strong Organic Foundations

Butler County soils contain 4.58% organic matter, which is significantly higher than the state average of 3.81%. The available water capacity of 0.183 in/in is slightly lower than the state benchmark of 0.195 in/in, but the high organic matter helps compensate. This soil is naturally fertile and ready for high-intensity planting.

Moderate Hydrologic Function

Though formal drainage classifications are currently missing for this county, the 20.1% clay content suggests moderate drainage speeds. The soil is likely to stay moist without becoming waterlogged, provided the local topography allows for runoff. Homeowners should find this soil stable for most landscaping and small-scale construction.

Productive Growing in Zone 5a

Situated in Zone 5a, Butler County is an excellent environment for cool-season crops and hardy perennials. The high organic matter means you can grow lush, healthy plants with minimal supplemental fertilizer. It is an inviting landscape for any gardener looking to establish a sustainable food plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Butler County

via LawnByCounty

Butler County Leads in Lawn Ease

With a lawn difficulty score of 79.9, Butler County is one of the best places in Iowa for a low-maintenance lawn. This score outperforms the state average of 77.2 and indicates very favorable growing conditions. The Zone 5a climate is perfectly suited for common Midwestern turfgrasses.

Balanced Climate for Healthy Turf

The county receives a steady 36.0 inches of annual precipitation, matching the state average and falling within the ideal range for lawns. Moderate temperatures prevail, with only 12 extreme heat days a year and 2,854 growing degree days. This combination allows for a vigorous growing season without the intense heat stress found in southern states.

Optimal Soil for Root Development

The soil pH of 6.33 is nearly perfect for lawn health, ensuring that fertilizers and natural nutrients are easily absorbed. A balanced mix of 20.1% clay and 34.1% sand provides both moisture retention and adequate pore space for oxygen. While drainage classification data is not specific, the physical composition supports healthy root systems with minimal prep.

High Resilience and Low Water Stress

Butler County currently reports 0.0% of its area in any drought category, showing excellent resilience compared to neighboring counties. Over the past year, it experienced only 7 weeks of drought, significantly lower than the state's more arid regions. Simple conservation habits, like leaving grass clippings to recycle nutrients, are sufficient to maintain health here.

Maximize the Growing Season

Planting Kentucky Bluegrass or Turf-type Tall Fescue will result in a thick, durable lawn in this zone. The safe growing window begins after April 27 and continues until the first frost arrives on October 8. Early autumn seeding is particularly effective here, as the soil remains warm while the air temperatures cool.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Butler County's county score?
Butler County, Iowa has a composite county score of 62.2 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 Butler County rank among counties in Iowa?
Butler County ranks #21 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 Butler County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Butler County is $2,226, with an effective tax rate of 1.35%. This earns Butler County a tax score of 16.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Butler County?
The median household income in Butler County, Iowa is $73,715 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Butler County earns an income score of 70.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Butler County, Iowa a good place to live?
Butler County scores 62.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #21 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Butler 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 Butler County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.