CountyScore

Cerro Gordo County

Iowa · IA

#82 in Iowa
65.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Well above national average for livability

Cerro Gordo scores 65.5 on the CountyScore composite index, 31% higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of U.S. counties, signaling solid quality of life across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Iowa's typical profile

At 65.5, Cerro Gordo trails Iowa's state average of 69.3 by about 3.8 points, placing it in the middle tier of Iowa counties. Still, the county remains a strong performer relative to national benchmarks.

Affordable housing and solid health outcomes

Cerro Gordo excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 79.8—median home value of $154,100 and rent at $840/month. The county also boasts a Health Score of 76.4, indicating good access to care and health outcomes relative to peers.

Lower incomes and higher economic risk

The county's Income Score of 26.2 reflects a median household income of $65,537, below state norms for comparable areas. Its Risk Score of 30.4 suggests economic volatility or employment instability that may warrant monitoring for families considering relocation.

A solid choice for budget-conscious families

Cerro Gordo suits retirees, young families, and workers in stable rural industries who prioritize affordable housing and healthcare access over high wages. The county offers good value and reasonable quality of life, though income growth may be limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.2Cost79.8SafetyComing SoonHealth76.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.2Risk30.4WaterComing Soon
🏛60.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.4
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 Cerro Gordo County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kenai Peninsula Borough
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65.5
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La Paz County
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65.5
Median income: $49,506
Mississippi County
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65.5
Median income: $53,428
Bulloch County
Georgia
65.5
Median income: $56,832
Marshall County
Illinois
65.5
Median income: $69,818

Deep Dives

Cerro Gordo County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cerro Gordo County

via TaxByCounty

Cerro Gordo taxes above national average

At 1.496%, Cerro Gordo's effective tax rate runs 11% higher than the national median of 1.347%, placing the county in the 65th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay $2,305 annually in median property taxes—lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting Iowa's more affordable housing market.

Above-average taxes for Iowa

Cerro Gordo ranks among Iowa's higher-taxed counties, with an effective rate of 1.496% compared to the state average of 1.344%. The county's $2,305 median property tax exceeds Iowa's state median of $2,160 by about 7%.

Pricier than nearby Cherokee County

Cerro Gordo homeowners pay substantially more than those in neighboring Cherokee County, which has an effective rate of just 1.076% and median taxes of $1,561. However, Cerro Gordo's rates remain competitive with nearby Chickasaw County at 1.097%.

Estimated annual tax on median home

A home valued at $154,100—Cerro Gordo's median—generates roughly $2,305 in annual property taxes under the county's 1.496% effective rate. With a mortgage, you'd owe closer to $2,391; without, approximately $2,185.

Many homeowners can appeal assessments

Property tax assessments aren't always accurate, and overassessed homeowners can file appeals in Iowa to reduce their tax burden. If you believe your home's assessed value is too high, the county assessor's office can walk you through the informal review process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cerro Gordo County

via CostByCounty

Cerro Gordo rents creep above national norm

Renters here spend 15.4% of their income on housing, outpacing the national average of roughly 14.1%. While median household income of $65,537 trails the U.S. average of $74,755, housing costs haven't declined proportionally, squeezing local budgets.

Middle of the pack in Iowa affordability

Cerro Gordo's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% puts it slightly above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, placing it in the less-affordable half of Iowa counties. At $840 monthly rent, it's $28 higher than the state median, reflecting stronger local demand.

Pricier than Crawford, cheaper than Clarke

Cerro Gordo's $840 rent sits between Crawford County's bargain $727 and Clarke County's steeper $836—positioning it as a moderate-cost option in north-central Iowa. Home values average $154,100, competitive with nearby counties but $10,000+ above Crawford's median.

Housing eats 15% of every paycheck

Monthly rent consumes $840 while homeowners pay $886, leaving most households with roughly 85% of income for other expenses. The median home value of $154,100 reflects a market that's solidly middle-class but tightening for lower-wage workers.

Considering Cerro Gordo? Compare carefully

If you're relocating to north-central Iowa, Cerro Gordo offers modest housing costs but not the deepest bargains in the region—Crawford and Cherokee counties rent $100+ cheaper. Run the numbers against your local salary to ensure housing won't crowd out savings and other priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cerro Gordo County

via IncomeByCounty

Cerro Gordo lags U.S. income trends

Cerro Gordo's median household income of $65,537 sits 12% below the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower-middle tier nationally. This gap signals that local households typically earn less than their American counterparts, even as the cost of living remains relatively modest compared to high-income coastal regions.

Middle-of-the-pack among Iowa counties

At $65,537, Cerro Gordo ranks solidly but unremarkably among Iowa's 99 counties, falling $4,293 short of the state average of $69,830. The county's per capita income of $40,345 exceeds the state average of $37,136, suggesting income is somewhat concentrated among fewer earners.

Similar to surrounding rural Iowa

Cerro Gordo's $65,537 median income aligns closely with neighboring counties like Clinton ($65,177) and Crawford ($65,039), reflecting the consistent economic patterns across Iowa's rural northeast. Nearby Chickasaw County leads the cluster at $73,421, showing regional income variance is modest.

Housing remains affordable here

A 15.4% rent-to-income ratio signals healthy affordability—well below the 30% threshold that marks housing stress—allowing Cerro Gordo households to allocate more to savings and essentials. With a median home value of $154,100, homeownership remains accessible to median-earning families without extraordinary financial strain.

Build long-term prosperity in Cerro Gordo

Cerro Gordo's affordable housing creates a genuine opportunity: households earning $65,537 can prioritize retirement savings and investments while keeping housing costs manageable at 15.4% of income. Consider automating savings into a diversified portfolio or 401(k) to compound wealth over time—even modest contributions grow substantially in stable, lower-cost communities like this.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cerro Gordo County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags slightly behind

Cerro Gordo residents live an average of 76.5 years, about 1.8 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years. The county's 15.9% poor or fair health rating sits slightly above the national average of 15%, suggesting room for improvement in overall health outcomes.

Below Iowa's health average

At 76.5 years, Cerro Gordo's life expectancy trails Iowa's state average of 77.7 years by 1.2 years. This places the county in the lower half of Iowa counties, where health outcomes vary significantly by geography.

Strong primary care compared to region

Cerro Gordo offers 143 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly triple the regional average—and exceptional mental health coverage at 347 providers per 100K. These robust provider networks position the county well within northeast Iowa for healthcare access.

Healthcare access is solid here

Only 5.0% of Cerro Gordo residents lack health insurance, well below Iowa's 5.7% average, meaning most residents can access regular preventive care. With abundant primary and mental health providers, residents face fewer barriers to finding a doctor or therapist.

Know your coverage options

Even with Cerro Gordo's low uninsured rate, those without coverage should explore Healthcare.gov or Iowa's Medicaid program to find affordable options. Having insurance removes barriers to preventive care that can extend your life and improve your daily health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cerro Gordo County

via RiskByCounty

Cerro Gordo faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 69.59, Cerro Gordo ranks as relatively low risk nationally, but sits well above Iowa's state average of 39.68. This county experiences more frequent and intense natural hazards than most of the state, driven primarily by tornado exposure.

Among Iowa's riskiest counties

Cerro Gordo's 69.59 score places it in the upper tier of Iowa's 99 counties by hazard exposure. Only a handful of Iowa counties face comparable composite risk levels, making this one of the state's more vulnerable regions.

Higher risk than nearby counties

Cerro Gordo's composite score of 69.59 significantly exceeds those of neighboring Chickasaw (31.74) and Worth counties. Its tornado and flood risks drive this distinction, marking it as notably more hazard-exposed than its immediate regional peers.

Tornado and flood risks dominate

Tornado risk reaches 89.34 in Cerro Gordo—among the highest in Iowa—while flood risk scores 68.96, reflecting the county's location in a climatically active region. Wildfire (26.65) and earthquake (24.24) risks remain minimal by comparison.

Prioritize tornado and flood coverage

Standard homeowners policies exclude tornado and flood damage, so Cerro Gordo residents should secure separate windstorm and flood insurance immediately. A safe room or basement shelter offers critical protection during the tornado season that affects this county regularly.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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