CountyScore

Cedar County

Iowa · IA

#19 in Iowa
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Cedar County, Iowa

Strong livability above national average

Cedar County's composite score of 72.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, placing it among the better-performing American counties overall. The score reflects balanced strength across multiple livability dimensions.

Third-best county in Iowa sample

Cedar County's 72.0 score surpasses Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the state's stronger counties. Only Buchanan and Bremer counties slightly exceed it in this eight-county analysis.

Health and income lead the way

Cedar County's health score of 80.7 and income score of 35.0 are among the group's strongest, with a median household income of $79,080 providing solid earning potential. The county also boasts a reasonable effective tax rate of 1.218%.

Housing affordability is tighter

Cedar County's cost score of 76.2 is the lowest in this sample, with median home values of $199,700 and rent at $860/month. While still affordable by national standards, housing costs are noticeably higher than most peer counties.

Best for earning families seeking stability

Cedar County is ideal for working families and young professionals who prioritize good incomes, healthcare access, and economic stability over ultra-cheap housing. The higher home prices reflect stronger job markets and community services, making it a sound choice for those willing to invest more in housing quality.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68Cost76.2SafetyComing SoonHealth80.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome35Risk78.5WaterComing Soon
🏛68
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78.5
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 Cedar County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Cedar County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cedar County

via TaxByCounty

Cedar County well below national tax average

Cedar County's effective tax rate of 1.218% sits below the national median, placing it in the favorable half of American tax jurisdictions. The median property tax of $2,433 falls below the national median of $2,690, though Cedar homes are worth considerably less than the national median of $281,900.

Iowa's lowest-tax counties

Cedar County ranks in the bottom tier of Iowa counties for effective tax rates at 1.218%, well below the state average of 1.344%. Its median annual tax of $2,433 exceeds Iowa's statewide median of $2,160, but the county's favorable rate helps moderate overall burden despite higher home values.

Tax-friendly rates compared to regional peers

Cedar County's 1.218% effective rate undercuts most surveyed neighbors, including Bremer County (1.349%), Buchanan County (1.334%), and Cass County (1.428%). Only Carroll County (1.052%) enjoys lower rates in the immediate region.

Median annual property tax is $2,433

A homeowner with Cedar's median-valued $199,700 home pays approximately $2,433 annually in property taxes—$2,552 with a mortgage, $2,256 without. Monthly property tax obligations average around $203 for a typical household.

Assessment reviews still offer savings potential

Cedar County's moderate tax rate doesn't eliminate the need for assessment verification, especially for properties that may have declined in value. An appeal filing takes minimal effort and could reduce your annual liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cedar County

via CostByCounty

Cedar County rents stay competitive

Cedar County's 13.1% rent-to-income ratio beats Iowa's 14.1% average and holds its own nationally, offering renters solid affordability. At $860 monthly, rents run higher than most neighbors, but the county's $79,080 median income—second-highest in the cluster—provides the cushion to absorb it.

Cedar ranks above Iowa average

With a 13.1% rent-to-income ratio, Cedar County outperforms the state average despite charging the second-highest rents in its region. The county's strong median income of $79,080 is the key advantage.

Higher rents justified by higher income

Cedar County's $860 rent is the second-priciest in the cluster, but the $79,080 median income (second-highest) balances the equation effectively. Only Bremer ($83,343) earns more, giving Cedar residents both income security and reasonable affordability.

Strong income supports higher housing costs

Renters spend $860 monthly and owners $1,099, with median home values of $199,700 backed by $79,080 household income. At 13.1% of earnings, rent remains manageable despite the region's highest ownership costs.

Cedar County rewards good earners

If your relocation comes with solid income prospects, Cedar County delivers: the region's second-highest wages ($79,080), competitive rent-to-income ratio (13.1%), and home values ($199,700) that build equity. It's premium housing for premium earners.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cedar County

via IncomeByCounty

Cedar exceeds national income median

Cedar County's median household income of $79,080 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by about 6%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. A diversified regional economy with healthcare, light manufacturing, and services anchors this above-average performance.

Among Iowa's highest-earning counties

At $79,080, Cedar County outpaces Iowa's state median of $69,830 by nearly $9,250 per household. The county ranks in the top tier statewide, driven by steady regional employment and workforce stability.

Regional income leader

Cedar County ($79,080) trails only Bremer ($83,343) and edges ahead of Buchanan ($78,430) in the northeast Iowa cluster. Its per-capita income of $38,775 exceeds the state average of $37,136, indicating broad-based prosperity.

Strong affordability cushion

Cedar's rent-to-income ratio of 13.1% is favorable, with renters spending roughly one-eighth of earnings on housing. The median home value of $199,700 aligns well with county-median incomes, making homeownership accessible and attractive.

Position for long-term prosperity

Cedar County's strong income and affordable housing create a platform for meaningful wealth accumulation through homeownership and investments. Households here should maximize retirement savings, consider diversified portfolios, and build generational assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cedar County

via HealthByCounty

Cedar County's health rivals national leaders

At 79.1 years, Cedar County residents outlive the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing the county among America's longer-lived populations. The 13.9% poor/fair health rate beats the national 15.1%, reflecting strong preventive care and disease management across the community.

Upper tier Iowa health outcomes in Cedar

Cedar County's 79.1-year life expectancy exceeds Iowa's 77.7-year state average by 1.4 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. With just 13.9% reporting poor/fair health and a 4.5% uninsured rate, Cedar demonstrates strong health infrastructure and coverage.

Northeast Iowa health leader

Cedar's 79.1-year life expectancy ranks second only to Bremer County (79.7) in the northeast region, tied with Buchanan for strong outcomes. The low 4.5% uninsured rate ties with Carroll for regional best, ensuring most residents can access care when needed.

Coverage strong, but primary care access limited

Cedar County's 4.5% uninsured rate—among the state's lowest—gives most residents insurance access to healthcare providers. However, the county offers only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, creating potential bottlenecks despite strong coverage rates and availability of 60 mental health providers.

Secure coverage to access Cedar's health system

Cedar County's strong life expectancy reflects good health management, but tight primary care capacity means having insurance matters—it ensures you reach available providers. If uninsured, Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid connect you to the coverage that maximizes your access to Cedar's existing care network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cedar County

via RiskByCounty

Cedar County ranks among America's safest

Cedar County's composite risk score of 21.50 places it in the Very Low category—among the lowest-risk counties in the nation. Residents enjoy substantially less natural disaster exposure than the typical American county.

Iowa's safest county overall

At 21.50, Cedar County scores 46% below Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it the most resilient county in this analysis. The county represents one of Iowa's best outcomes across all natural hazard categories combined.

Clearly the region's safest community

Cedar (21.50) ranks below all eight counties analyzed, edging ahead of Bremer (24.55) and Buchanan (24.05) in the safer eastern cluster. It sits dramatically below the riskier western counties like Cass (60.05) and Carroll (57.60).

Earthquake risk unexpectedly elevated

Earthquake risk (27.35) is Cedar's highest hazard, though still low in absolute terms and reflecting regional seismic activity. Tornado risk (45.64), wildfire risk (31.77), and flood risk (27.61) are all present but moderate, with hurricane risk minimal.

Standard coverage typically sufficient

Cedar County residents can generally rely on comprehensive homeowner's insurance with standard wind and hail coverage as their primary protection. Families near waterways should still evaluate flood insurance, but overall exposure is low enough to make Cedar one of Iowa's safest places to live.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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