Carroll County's composite score of 71.2 is 42% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it among better-performing American counties. The score reflects particular strength in low taxes and housing affordability.
2 / 5
Top tax performer in Iowa
Carroll County scores 71.2, above Iowa's state average of 69.3, and boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this entire eight-county sample at just 1.052%. This makes it exceptionally attractive for tax-conscious residents.
3 / 5
Taxes and affordability are exceptional
Carroll County's tax score of 72.7 and cost score of 82.7 lead the region, with an effective tax rate of 1.052% and median home value of $175,700. Residents enjoy both low tax burden and accessible housing at $722/month rent.
4 / 5
Risk profile is notably weak
Carroll County's risk score of 42.4 is the lowest in this sample, suggesting economic vulnerability and limited employment stability. This constraint may offset its tax and affordability advantages for some residents.
5 / 5
Ideal for tax-first, stability-second movers
Carroll County suits retirees and fixed-income households who prioritize minimizing taxes above all else and accept some economic uncertainty. The combination of the state's lowest tax rate and reasonable housing costs makes it compelling for those with limited incomes seeking maximum purchasing power.
Carroll County's composite score of 71.2 is 42% higher than the national median of 50.0, placing it among better-performing American counties. The score reflects particular strength in low taxes and housing affordability.
Top tax performer in Iowa
Carroll County scores 71.2, above Iowa's state average of 69.3, and boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this entire eight-county sample at just 1.052%. This makes it exceptionally attractive for tax-conscious residents.
Taxes and affordability are exceptional
Carroll County's tax score of 72.7 and cost score of 82.7 lead the region, with an effective tax rate of 1.052% and median home value of $175,700. Residents enjoy both low tax burden and accessible housing at $722/month rent.
Risk profile is notably weak
Carroll County's risk score of 42.4 is the lowest in this sample, suggesting economic vulnerability and limited employment stability. This constraint may offset its tax and affordability advantages for some residents.
Ideal for tax-first, stability-second movers
Carroll County suits retirees and fixed-income households who prioritize minimizing taxes above all else and accept some economic uncertainty. The combination of the state's lowest tax rate and reasonable housing costs makes it compelling for those with limited incomes seeking maximum purchasing power.
Score breakdown
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🏛72.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Carroll County offers notably low national ranking
At 1.052%, Carroll County's effective tax rate is among the lowest in the entire nation, placing it in the favorable bottom 10% of American tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $1,849 falls well below the national median of $2,690, giving homeowners here one of the country's best property tax values.
Iowa's lowest property tax rate by far
Carroll County ranks dead last among Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.052%, significantly below the state average of 1.344%. This represents a 21% discount compared to the statewide rate, delivering substantial savings for Carroll County homeowners.
Dramatically lower taxes than all regional peers
Carroll County's 1.052% effective rate dramatically undercuts every surveyed neighbor—including Buena Vista County (1.240%), Calhoun County (1.316%), and Cass County (1.428%). Residents here enjoy the region's most favorable property tax treatment.
Median annual tax is just $1,849
A homeowner with Carroll's median-valued $175,700 home pays approximately $1,849 per year in property taxes—$1,800 with a mortgage, $1,914 without. Monthly property tax costs average roughly $154, among the state's lowest.
Exceptional value warrants vigilant monitoring
Carroll County's uniquely low rates make it a regional tax haven, but homeowners should still verify assessments annually against comparable sales. Even a modest percentage reduction yields meaningful annual savings.
Carroll County's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio stays well below Iowa's 14.1% average and holds competitive ground against the national benchmark. At $722 monthly, rents here are among the region's lowest while supporting $68,528 in median household income.
Carroll performs above Iowa average
With a 12.6% rent-to-income ratio, Carroll County ranks in the top third of Iowa counties for rental affordability, offering renters better economics than the state norm. The county's solid income-to-rent balance reflects stable local employment.
Carroll's middle-ground position shines
Carroll splits the difference in its cluster: rents ($722) beat Bremer and Cedar but exceed Calhoun, while income ($68,528) lands squarely in the middle range. For renters seeking balance between cost and income security, Carroll hits the sweet spot.
Lean rents, achievable home ownership
Renters pay $722 monthly while owners face $846, with median homes valued at $175,700 and household income at $68,528. At 12.6% of income dedicated to rent, Carroll leaves households meaningful financial flexibility.
Carroll County balances value and income
Carroll County appeals to relocators seeking genuine savings without sacrificing economic opportunity: rents of $722, median income of $68,528, and a 12.6% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state. It's affordable without being economically isolated.
Carroll County's median household income of $68,528 approaches the national median of $74,755, though it falls short by about 8%. The county's mixed agricultural and manufacturing base generates middle-class earnings typical of Iowa's rural economy.
Slightly below Iowa's state average
At $68,528, Carroll trails Iowa's state median of $69,830 by roughly $1,300 per household. The county ranks in the middle of Iowa's income distribution, reflecting a typical rural county profile.
Middle performer in north-central region
Carroll ($68,528) sits between Butler ($69,651) and Calhoun ($66,875), notably behind Cedar ($79,080) and Buchanan ($78,430). Its per-capita income of $37,672 matches the state average, suggesting balanced prosperity across income levels.
Steady affordability across housing types
Carroll's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% keeps renters well below the affordability threshold, protecting household budgets. The median home value of $175,700 is reasonable for county-median-income households, making homeownership attainable.
Capitalize on affordability
Carroll's accessible housing costs and stable employment create opportunity for wealth building through homeownership and consistent savings. Residents should maximize retirement contributions and explore local community development resources.
Carroll County's life expectancy edges above national
At 77.9 years, Carroll County trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by one year, placing residents just below national longevity benchmarks. The 15.5% poor/fair health rate sits slightly above the national 15.1%, suggesting health outcomes closely aligned with broader American patterns.
Strongest primary care access in Iowa study
Carroll County's 77.9-year life expectancy slightly exceeds Iowa's 77.7 state average, and the county shines with 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest in this study. This robust infrastructure supports the county's relatively low 4.6% uninsured rate and strong healthcare access.
Iowa's primary care powerhouse
Carroll's 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents far exceed Bremer (48), Buena Vista (53), and all other nearby counties, making it a regional healthcare hub. Life expectancy of 77.9 years reflects this infrastructure, though it still trails some neighbors like Bremer at 79.7.
Excellent access across primary and mental care
Carroll County residents enjoy not only the state's highest primary care capacity but also strong mental health support with 156 providers per 100,000 residents. With just 4.6% uninsured—the lowest in this study—Carroll's infrastructure translates directly into accessible, affordable care for nearly every resident.
Carroll's coverage leadership model
Carroll County's 4.6% uninsured rate shows what strong community commitment looks like, but even that small segment deserves coverage. Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid ensure the remaining uninsured gain access to Carroll's abundant provider network.
Carroll's composite risk score of 57.60 places it in the Relatively Low category—higher than 45% of U.S. counties. While still manageable, this represents a meaningful natural disaster exposure elevation for Iowa.
Among Iowa's higher-risk counties
At 57.60, Carroll exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68 by 45%, ranking it well into the upper half of Iowa's counties. Only Cass County (60.05) and a handful of others present comparably elevated composite risk.
Highest risk in the immediate region
Carroll (57.60) far exceeds the safer eastern cluster of Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, and Cedar counties. It ranks second only to Cass (60.05) in its immediate vicinity, representing a dramatic risk escalation moving westward.
Tornado risk stands exceptional
Tornado risk of 85.46 is among Iowa's highest, presenting Carroll's dominant hazard concern. Flood risk (37.53), earthquake risk (19.75), and wildfire risk (28.53) all trail significantly, though wildfire exposure is elevated relative to the state average.
Comprehensive storm preparedness required
Carroll residents face one of Iowa's most severe tornado risks and need a robust household shelter plan with regular drills. Beyond wind and hail insurance, families should maintain a 72-hour emergency kit, monitor local weather closely during spring, and know multiple evacuation routes.