CountyScore

Chickasaw County

Iowa · IA

#11 in Iowa
72.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Chickasaw County, Iowa

Top-tier livability by national standards

Chickasaw County's composite score of 72.8 is 46% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper echelon of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates consistent strength across multiple livability dimensions compared to national peers.

Outperforming Iowa on most fronts

At 72.8, Chickasaw County exceeds Iowa's state average of 69.3 by 3.5 points, ranking among the state's strongest performers. The county balances affordability with higher incomes better than most Iowa peers.

Higher incomes with affordability and good health

Chickasaw stands out with an Income Score of 31.3 and median household income of $73,421—the highest among these eight counties. Combined with a Cost Score of 82.0, affordable housing at $164,400 median value, and a Health Score of 77.4, the county offers strong economic opportunity paired with quality of life.

Tax burden and limited comparative data

The county's Tax Score of 71.4 and effective rate of 1.097% are solid but slightly below some peers in this group. Safety and school data remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive evaluation of those dimensions.

Best fit for income-focused families seeking balance

Chickasaw County suits professionals and families who value earning potential alongside rural living, strong health outcomes, and affordable housing. It offers rare balance between income and affordability for an Iowa county.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.4Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth77.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.3Risk68.3WaterComing Soon
🏛71.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.3
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 Chickasaw County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alpine County
California
72.8
Median income: $110,781
Modoc County
California
72.8
Median income: $56,648
Leslie County
Kentucky
72.8
Median income: $40,176
Benzie County
Michigan
72.8
Median income: $72,603
Cherry County
Nebraska
72.8
Median income: $63,750

Deep Dives

Chickasaw County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chickasaw County

via TaxByCounty

Chickasaw County runs tax-friendly

With an effective tax rate of 1.097%, Chickasaw County sits well below the national median of 1.347%, putting it in the bottom 20% nationally. Homeowners pay a median of $1,804 in annual property taxes—33% less than the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes for Iowa

Chickasaw County's effective rate of 1.097% undercuts Iowa's state average of 1.344% by roughly 18%. The county's median property tax of $1,804 also trails the state median of $2,160.

Similar to Cherokee, lower than Cerro Gordo

Chickasaw's 1.097% rate rivals Cherokee County's 1.076%, making both attractive for homeowners seeking low taxes. However, Chickasaw residents pay more than Cherokee but substantially less than Cerro Gordo (1.496%) or Clinton (1.549%).

Moderate bill on median home

A home valued at $164,400—Chickasaw's median—generates approximately $1,804 in annual property taxes under the 1.097% rate. With a mortgage, expect closer to $1,839; without, around $1,750.

Assessment appeals protect your wallet

Property assessments can drift out of sync with market values, potentially inflating your tax bill. Iowa law allows homeowners to challenge assessments informally through the county assessor—a free process that has saved many families hundreds in taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chickasaw County

via CostByCounty

Chickasaw leads the affordability pack

Chickasaw County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio is the strongest in this eight-county region and beats both Iowa's average (14.1%) and the national norm. With median income of $73,421—nearly matching the national average of $74,755—residents enjoy rare wage-to-housing balance.

Iowa's most affordable housing county

Chickasaw ranks at or near the top of Iowa's most affordable counties, with its 12.7% rent-to-income ratio and $779 monthly rent both well below state averages. This combination reflects strong local earning potential paired with modest housing demand.

The affordability champion of north-central Iowa

Chickasaw's rent-to-income ratio of 12.7% outperforms every comparison county, with only Cherokee County coming close at 13.2%. Higher median income ($73,421) combined with moderate rents ($779) creates the region's most balanced housing market.

Housing costs stay in healthy proportion

Renters pay $779 monthly while homeowners invest $820, consuming just 12.7% and 13.4% of income respectively. The median home value of $164,400 is among the region's highest, but strong local wages make ownership realistic for most households.

Chickasaw: where wages meet affordable housing

If you're relocating and want the best housing-to-income balance in Iowa, Chickasaw County delivers—strong local wages combine with reasonable rents and home prices. You'll pay more than bargain-basement counties like Cherokee, but gain significantly better earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chickasaw County

via IncomeByCounty

Chickasaw approaches national income parity

Chickasaw County's median household income of $73,421 nearly matches the national median of $74,755, placing it just 1.8% below the U.S. average. This proximity to national norms makes Chickasaw an economic outlier in rural Iowa, signaling stronger local employment or wage resilience.

Iowa's upper-tier county income

Chickasaw leads this regional cluster and most of Iowa at $73,421, outpacing the state average of $69,830 by $3,591. The county's per capita income of $37,093 aligns with the state average, indicating healthy income spread across households.

Clear income leader in the region

At $73,421, Chickasaw significantly outearns surrounding counties—$8,943 above Clayton and $9,000 above Cerro Gordo. This regional wage premium likely reflects specific industries or employment stability unique to Chickasaw's economy.

Excellent income-to-housing balance

Chickasaw's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this eight-county comparison, demonstrating strong housing affordability despite higher incomes than peers. A median home value of $164,400 remains accessible, freeing up household resources for saving and investing.

Chickasaw's income edge fuels investments

With $73,421 median income and just 12.7% housing costs, Chickasaw households enjoy more discretionary income than regional peers—an ideal position to build wealth. This surplus allows aggressive saving into index funds, retirement accounts, or home equity—the foundations of long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chickasaw County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy above national average

Chickasaw County residents live an average of 78.0 years, roughly matching the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With a 14.6% poor or fair health rate, the county performs better than the national average of 15%, suggesting effective health management.

Top tier within Iowa

At 78.0 years, Chickasaw County's life expectancy exceeds Iowa's 77.7-year average, placing it solidly in the state's healthier counties. The county's strong performance reflects a balance of lifestyle, healthcare access, and community health factors.

Limited primary care and mental health

Chickasaw offers only 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 60 mental health providers per 100K—among the lowest in the region. Residents often need to seek care in larger neighboring counties for both routine and specialized services.

Higher uninsured rates than state average

Chickasaw's uninsured rate of 6.4% exceeds Iowa's 5.7% average, meaning a larger share of residents lack regular healthcare coverage. Combined with limited local provider availability, uninsured residents face significant barriers to preventive and mental health care.

Insurance protects your health here

Chickasaw residents without coverage should immediately explore Healthcare.gov or Iowa Medicaid options to fill the gap. Securing insurance is especially critical when local provider options are limited—it expands your access to care beyond county borders.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chickasaw County

via RiskByCounty

Chickasaw County ranks very low nationally

Chickasaw's composite risk score of 31.74 sits comfortably below Iowa's state average of 39.68 and well below the national median. This county experiences among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.

Among Iowa's most resilient counties

Chickasaw ranks in the bottom quartile of Iowa's 99 counties by composite risk, making it one of the state's safest from natural hazard exposure. Few Iowa counties score lower across all hazard categories.

Lowest risk in its region

Chickasaw's 31.74 score edges below neighbors Cherokee (34.13) and Clayton (42.21), making it the safest county in its immediate area. This consistency reflects favorable geography and climate patterns across north-central Iowa.

Minimal hazard exposure overall

Tornado risk of 59.26 represents Chickasaw's highest exposure, though still moderate compared to state averages. Flood (39.57), wildfire (19.56), and earthquake (11.96) risks remain consistently low.

Standard coverage usually sufficient

Chickasaw's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance often provides adequate protection, though tornado exclusions in standard policies warrant a separate windstorm rider. Flood insurance becomes relevant only for properties in mapped flood zones.

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.