countyscore
57.6
County Score
Health 91.6Income & Jobs 82.2Safety 78.9

County Report Card

About Cedar County, Iowa

Beating the National Average

Cedar County earns a solid 58.0 composite score, surpassing the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of resident satisfaction driven by economic stability and personal wellness.

Competitive Within Iowa

The county scores higher than the Iowa state average of 55.6. It distinguishes itself with strong household earnings and a highly-rated healthcare environment.

Wealthy and Well-Cared For

With a health score of 91.6 and an income score of 82.6, Cedar County residents are both healthy and prosperous. The median household income is a strong $79,080, providing significant financial security.

Cost and School Hurdles

The cost score of 36.4 indicates that housing is becoming more expensive, with home values near $199,700. The school score of 49.8 also suggests that local education is an area ripe for further development.

A Choice for Prosperous Living

Cedar County is well-suited for established professionals and retirees who value health and income over absolute affordability. It offers a premium Iowa lifestyle with the financial stats to back it up.

2040608010022.836.378.991.649.882.278.539.451.7Tax22.8Cost36.3Safety78.9Health91.6Schools49.8Income82.2Risk78.5Water39.4Weather51.757.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Cedar County DNA

Foverall

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

Cedar County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (91.6/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (22.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22.8-29.2
Cost
36.3-11.700000000000003
Safety
78.9+23.900000000000006
Health
91.6+41.599999999999994
Schools
49.8
Income
82.2+31.200000000000003
Risk
78.5+31.5
Water
39.4-18.6
Weather
51.7
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Cedar County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$211,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$879/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$211,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,602/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

27.1

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
Compare Cedar County with Conecuh County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Conecuh County
Alabama
Median income: $41,327
57.6
Calhoun County
Arkansas
Median income: $66,809
57.6
Pitkin County
Colorado
Median income: $102,645
57.6
Daviess County
Indiana
Median income: $68,503
57.6
Washington County
Indiana
Median income: $64,641
57.6
Audubon County
Iowa
Median income: $58,229
57.6
Ballard County
Kentucky
Median income: $66,164
57.6
Harlan County
Kentucky
Median income: $41,693
57.6

Nearby counties

Johnson County
Iowa
41.1
Jones County
Iowa
59.7
Muscatine County
Iowa
41.5
Linn County
Iowa
40.4
Scott County
Iowa
36.9
Rock Island County
Illinois
36.5
Louisa County
Iowa
63.1
Clinton County
Iowa
38.7

Deep Dives

Cedar County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Cedar County

via CrimeByCounty

Cedar County Boasts High Safety Scores

Cedar County's total crime rate of 503.3 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns an impressive safety score of 99.2 out of 100.

Outperforming the Iowa Average

With a safety score of 99.2, Cedar County is safer than the average Iowa county score of 98.3. Its total crime rate is less than half of the statewide average of 1,095.3.

Leading Regional Safety Efforts

Cedar County maintains a safer profile than many of its regional neighbors with a rate of 503.3. Seven different reporting agencies collaborate to provide comprehensive coverage and public safety.

Low Incidents Across Both Categories

The violent crime rate is very low at 86.6 per 100K, and property crime is only 416.7. These figures indicate a very secure environment for residents and a low risk of criminal encounters.

Keeping Cedar County Safe

Home security awareness helps keep these low numbers consistent. Installing a home security system or simply coordinating with neighbors can ensure that Cedar County remains one of Iowa's safest places.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cedar County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Wet Eastern Iowa

Cedar County averages 49.1°F annually, making it nearly as warm as Cass County and closer to the 53°F national median. It is characterized by high humidity and significant seasonal precipitation.

High Precipitation and Above Average Heat

The county exceeds the state average temperature of 48.0°F by 1.1 degrees. It also receives 38.0 inches of precipitation, nearly two inches more than the Iowa average.

The Snowiest in the Region

While it shares a 49.1°F average temperature with southern neighbors, it records a substantial 39.8 inches of snowfall. This is significantly higher than the 27.3 inches seen in Cass County.

Hot Summers and Heavy Snow

Summer temperatures average 72.1°F with 15 days over 90°F. Despite the warmth, winter brings nearly 40 inches of snow and a January average of 20.3°F.

Ready the Heavy Snow Equipment

With almost 40 inches of annual snowfall, a heavy-duty snowblower is a vital investment for local residents. The 38 inches of total precipitation also means checking sump pumps before the spring thaw is essential.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cedar County

via SoilByCounty

Cedar's Silty and Acidic Profile

Cedar County soil is more acidic than average, with a pH of 6.16 compared to the national median of 6.5. Its soil score of 65.6 is below the state average of 72.9, likely due to this higher acidity and lower organic content. This soil profile is characteristic of the loess-covered uplands found in eastern Iowa.

Dominated by Fine Silt

Cedar County features a massive 58.1% silt content, combined with 20.9% clay and 18.9% sand. This high silt percentage gives the soil a floury texture and makes it highly susceptible to erosion if not covered by vegetation. It is a 'soft' soil that roots can easily penetrate, but it requires careful management to prevent crusting.

Reliable Organic Matter and Moisture

The soil contains 3.43% organic matter, which is healthy compared to the 2.0% national average despite being below the Iowa average of 3.81%. Its available water capacity of 0.185 in/in provides a solid foundation for plant hydration. It is a capable soil that responds very well to the addition of compost or organic mulches.

Managing the Fine Silts

Though specific drainage data is unavailable, the high silt and moderate clay levels suggest moderate to slow permeability. The soil is likely to hold moisture well but can become saturated if local drainage is poor. For gardeners, raised beds may be a good option to help manage the fine texture and ensure proper aeration.

Zone 5a Gardening in Cedar

In Zone 5a, Cedar County’s silty soil is fantastic for growing legumes and grains that don't mind a slightly more acidic environment. The fine texture is easy for young seedlings to push through in the spring. Start your garden today and enjoy the easy-working nature of these eastern Iowa silts.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cedar County

via LawnByCounty

Lush Landscapes in Cedar County

Cedar County earns a lawn difficulty score of 78.3, outperforming the state average of 77.2. As a Zone 5a county, it provides a stable environment for most traditional Iowa turfgrasses. The climate and soil combination makes it one of the more favorable regions for achieving a professional-looking lawn.

Ample Rain and Long Growing Days

The county receives 38.0 inches of annual precipitation, which is ideal for maintaining thick turf without constant watering. There are 15 extreme heat days and 3,141 growing degree days, indicating a very active and productive growing season. This environment supports fast-recovering grass that can withstand regular foot traffic.

Silty Soil Foundation for Turf

The soil pH of 6.16 is perfect for cool-season grasses, facilitating the easy uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus. With a balanced clay content of 20.9% and sand at 18.9%, the soil is likely silt-heavy, providing a good medium for root growth. While drainage data is limited, these proportions generally indicate a soil that holds moisture well without becoming swampy.

Staying Green Through Dry Spells

The county is currently 100% abnormally dry and has dealt with 14 weeks of drought over the last year. Despite these figures, the 38 inches of annual rain usually provides a good buffer for well-established lawns. Focus on 'soak and cycle' irrigation to ensure water penetrates deep into the root zone during these dry periods.

A Long Season for Perfect Grass

The growing season in Cedar County is generous, with the first frost not typically arriving until October 15. Start your lawn after April 27 using a high-quality Kentucky Bluegrass blend for best results. The extended fall weather provides an excellent opportunity for overseeding and thickening your lawn before winter.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cedar County's county score?
Cedar County, Iowa has a composite county score of 57.6 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 Cedar County rank among counties in Iowa?
Cedar County ranks #54 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 Cedar County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Cedar County is $2,568, with an effective tax rate of 1.22%. This earns Cedar County a tax score of 22.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cedar County?
The median household income in Cedar County, Iowa is $80,602 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cedar County earns an income score of 82.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cedar County, Iowa a good place to live?
Cedar County scores 57.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #54 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Cedar 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 Cedar 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.