countyscore
62.1
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.

Score breakdown

Tax17.9Cost54.3Safety92.1Health91.4Schools52.1Income65.5Risk72.9Water32.4Weather49.3
🏛17.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠54.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼65.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡92.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤91.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓52.1
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡72.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧32.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨71.9
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱79.9
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Bremer County
Iowa
58.6
Grundy County
Iowa
69.1
Floyd County
Iowa
56.7
Franklin County
Iowa
65.5
Black Hawk County
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Chickasaw County
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Hardin County
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Cerro Gordo County
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Deep Dives

Butler County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Cost of Living in Butler County

via CostByCounty

Butler County offers moderate housing costs

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Butler County

via HealthByCounty

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.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Butler County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Schools for a Close-Knit County

Butler County provides 11 public schools across three districts, serving a total student body of 2,269. The infrastructure includes six elementary schools and three high schools focused on serving the local rural population.

Solid Performance and Local Investment

Butler County invests $7,711 per student, which is higher than the Iowa state average of $7,591. This investment yields a graduation rate of 89.5%, comfortably exceeding the national average of 87%.

Aplington-Parkersburg Leads Enrollment

The Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District is the largest in the county, managing four schools and 853 students. There are no charter schools in Butler County, as the community relies on its three well-established public districts.

The Heart of Rural Education

Every single school in Butler County is classified as rural, creating a consistent and cohesive educational environment. With an average school size of 206 students, schools like North Butler Elementary offer an intimate learning experience.

Peaceful Living Near Dedicated Schools

If you are looking for a purely rural educational experience with higher-than-average per-pupil spending, Butler County is an excellent choice. Discover homes near Parkersburg or Clarksville to settle near these community-focused campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Butler County

via RiskByCounty

Butler sits safely below national baseline

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 62.1 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 #24 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 $2,158, with an effective tax rate of 1.38%. This earns Butler County a tax score of 17.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Butler County?
The median household income in Butler County, Iowa is $69,651 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Butler County earns an income score of 65.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Butler County, Iowa a good place to live?
Butler County scores 62.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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