CountyScore

Cherokee County

Iowa · IA

#9 in Iowa
73
County Score

County Report Card

About Cherokee County, Iowa

Strong national performer with solid fundamentals

Cherokee County's composite score of 73.0 is 46% above the national median of 50.0, placing it firmly in the upper quartile of U.S. counties. This signals consistently strong livability across key quality-of-life dimensions.

Outperforming Iowa's average

At 73.0, Cherokee County exceeds Iowa's state average of 69.3 by 3.7 points, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. The county demonstrates balanced strength across multiple livability factors.

Low taxes, affordability, and strong safety resilience

Cherokee leads with a Tax Score of 72.0 and an effective tax rate of just 1.076%—among Iowa's lowest. Its Cost Score of 84.4 reflects exceptional housing affordability at $145,100 median home value and $711/month rent, while a Risk Score of 65.9 suggests stable economic conditions.

Limited income growth potential

The county's Income Score of 25.5 and median household income of $64,478 indicate wages lag regional and national trends. Workers seeking substantial income advancement may need to look toward larger metros or different industries.

Ideal for seekers of small-town value and stability

Cherokee County is perfect for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable living over high wages. Its economic resilience and housing values make it an increasingly attractive rural destination.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72Cost84.4SafetyComing SoonHealth77.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk65.9WaterComing Soon
🏛72
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.9
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 Cherokee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Conecuh County
Alabama
73
Median income: $42,266
Drew County
Arkansas
73
Median income: $41,071
Madison County
Arkansas
73
Median income: $53,888
Spencer County
Kentucky
73
Median income: $98,333
Grant Parish
Louisiana
73
Median income: $61,112

Deep Dives

Cherokee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cherokee County

via TaxByCounty

Cherokee County offers Iowa's lowest taxes

At 1.076%, Cherokee County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, well below the national median of 1.347%. Residents pay just $1,561 in median annual property taxes—42% less than the national median of $2,690.

Iowa's most tax-friendly county

Cherokee County boasts one of Iowa's lowest effective tax rates at 1.076%, significantly undercutting the state average of 1.344%. The county's median property tax of $1,561 is the lowest among its peers in northeastern Iowa.

Clear winner in the region

Cherokee County's 1.076% effective rate beats every nearby county, including Chickasaw (1.097%), Clay (1.183%), and Crawford (1.320%). Homeowners here save hundreds annually compared to neighbors in Cerro Gordo or Clinton County.

Minimal taxes on median home

On Cherokee County's median home value of $145,100, the effective rate of 1.076% works out to $1,561 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'd owe closer to $1,478; without, approximately $1,643.

Even low-tax counties have appeals

Even in tax-friendly Cherokee County, some homeowners may be overassessed relative to comparable properties. Appealing your assessment costs nothing and could unlock additional savings through Iowa's informal review process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cherokee County

via CostByCounty

Cherokee offers rare affordability advantage

At 13.2%, Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio beats the national average and Iowa's state average of 14.1%, making it genuinely affordable. With median household income at $64,478 and rent just $711, this county punches above its weight in housing access.

Top-tier Iowa affordability county

Cherokee ranks among Iowa's most affordable counties, with its 13.2% rent-to-income ratio solidly below the state average of 14.1%. Monthly rent of $711 is $101 cheaper than the state median, reflecting a tighter labor market and lower demand.

Iowa's pocket-friendly housing market

Cherokee's $711 rent is the lowest among its peer counties in north-central Iowa, undercut only by Crawford's $727. Median home values of $145,100 rank among the region's cheapest, appealing to first-time buyers and budget-conscious families.

Rent takes just 13% of income

Cherokee County renters allocate only $711 monthly while homeowners pay $747, leaving substantial breathing room in household budgets. With a median home value of $145,100, ownership is achievable for workers earning the county median of $64,478.

Looking for Iowa's best housing bargain?

Cherokee County deserves your consideration if affordability tops your relocation priority list—rents are among the state's cheapest and housing is genuinely accessible on local wages. Compare it against Crawford County, which also offers deep bargains, to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cherokee County

via IncomeByCounty

Cherokee trails national household income

Cherokee County's median household income of $64,478 falls 13.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking in the lower quartile nationally. The gap reflects the economic realities of rural Iowa, where agricultural and small-town employment typically generates lower wages than national averages.

Below-average earner within Iowa

Cherokee County ranks among Iowa's lower-income counties at $64,478, trailing the state average of $69,830 by $5,352. Its per capita income of $37,174 nearly matches the state average of $37,136, suggesting relatively equitable income distribution across the population.

Lower income than most nearby peers

Cherokee's $64,478 median income ranks below Clay County ($64,082 is close, but Clay's is slightly lower) and clearly below Chickasaw County's $73,421 to the east. The county faces stiffer competition for wage growth in this regional cluster, where Chickasaw emerges as the income leader.

Strongest housing affordability advantage

Cherokee County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among these eight counties—delivers exceptional housing affordability and leaves substantial breathing room for other financial goals. A median home value of $145,100 means most households can achieve homeownership without financial overextension.

Leverage affordability for wealth building

Cherokee's 13.2% housing cost ratio is a powerful wealth-building asset; households earning $64,478 reclaim money monthly that high-cost regions lose to rent or mortgages. Redirect those savings into emergency funds, education investments, or a brokerage account to capture long-term market growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cherokee County

via HealthByCounty

Above-average life expectancy

Cherokee County residents live to 77.9 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 78.3 years by only a small margin. The county's 16.0% poor or fair health rate sits just above the national average of 15%, indicating generally solid health outcomes.

Beating the Iowa average

At 77.9 years, Cherokee County's life expectancy exceeds Iowa's state average of 77.7 years, ranking it among Iowa's healthier counties. This modest advantage reflects the county's relative health stability compared to its neighbors.

Provider access gaps in rural area

Cherokee County has 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 138 mental health providers per 100K—well below regional leaders like Cerro Gordo. Rural residents may need to travel to larger nearby towns for specialized mental health services.

Uninsured rates slightly higher than state

About 5.4% of Cherokee residents lack health insurance, slightly above Iowa's 5.7% average, meaning a small but meaningful portion faces barriers to regular care. Limited mental health providers compared to other counties could create wait times for counseling or psychiatric services.

Make insurance coverage a priority

Cherokee residents without coverage should check Healthcare.gov or contact Iowa Medicaid to secure affordable plans. Insurance ensures you can access the limited mental health providers available without bearing the full cost yourself.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cherokee County

via RiskByCounty

Cherokee County ranks very low nationally

Cherokee's composite risk score of 34.13 places it well below both Iowa's state average (39.68) and the national average, indicating relatively modest disaster exposure. This county experiences fewer natural hazards than most American regions.

Among Iowa's safest counties

Cherokee ranks in the lower third of Iowa's 99 counties by composite risk, with a score that reflects below-average exposure to most major hazard types. It remains one of the state's more stable communities from a natural disaster perspective.

Comparable risk to surrounding counties

Cherokee's 34.13 score aligns closely with Chickasaw (31.74) and Clay (36.39), reflecting similar risk profiles across this region of north-central Iowa. All three counties share relatively low hazard exposure compared to state averages.

Tornado risk slightly elevated

Cherokee's tornado risk of 60.75 represents the county's primary natural hazard exposure, though still below state problematic levels. Flood risk (39.06) and wildfire risk (24.46) remain modest, with earthquake activity minimal.

Focus on tornado preparedness

While Cherokee faces lower overall disaster risk, tornado coverage gaps in standard policies make windstorm insurance a practical safeguard. Identify a basement shelter or safe interior room as your family's tornado refuge.

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.