CountyScore

Clarke County

Iowa · IA

#72 in Iowa
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Clarke County, Iowa

Above-average livability with measured strength

Clarke County's composite score of 67.5 is 35% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability compared to national peers. The county performs in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties across multiple quality-of-life factors.

Slightly below Iowa's state average

At 67.5, Clarke County trails Iowa's state average of 69.3 by 1.8 points, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. Despite this, it remains well above national benchmarks.

Excellent economic stability and resilience

Clarke County stands out with a Risk Score of 81.6—the highest among these eight counties—indicating strong economic stability and low volatility. This resilience is paired with reasonable housing affordability at $160,200 median home value.

Lower incomes and moderate health metrics

The county's Income Score of 27.0 reflects a median household income of $66,821, below state trends. A Health Score of 69.9 is the lowest in this group, suggesting room for healthcare access or outcomes improvement.

Stable choice for those prioritizing economic resilience

Clarke County appeals to risk-averse families, small-business owners, and those seeking stable employment over rapid wage growth. Its economic resilience makes it a safe harbor during uncertain economic times.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.3Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth69.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome27Risk81.6WaterComing Soon
🏛61.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.6
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 Clarke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
Median income: $93,543
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Clarke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clarke County

via TaxByCounty

Clarke County taxes run high for Iowa

At 1.458%, Clarke County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.347% by about 8%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The county's $2,335 median property tax is still 13% below the national median of $2,690, thanks to Iowa's lower home values.

Among Iowa's priciest tax counties

Clarke County ranks near the top of Iowa's tax burden with an effective rate of 1.458%, well above the state average of 1.344%. Its median property tax of $2,335 exceeds the state median of $2,160 by 8%.

Clarke County leads regional taxes

Clarke County's 1.458% effective rate tops nearly every neighboring county in south-central Iowa, surpassing Crawford (1.320%) and Clay (1.183%). Only a handful of counties in the state rival Clarke's tax burden.

Substantial bill on median home

On Clarke County's median home value of $160,200, the effective rate of 1.458% works out to $2,335 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'd owe closer to $2,489; without, approximately $2,008.

Appeal option for high-tax counties

In high-tax counties like Clarke, small reductions in assessed value yield meaningful savings—hundreds of dollars annually. If your home is assessed higher than comparable nearby properties, filing an informal appeal with the county assessor takes minimal effort and no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clarke County

via CostByCounty

Clarke County housing edges above national norm

Clarke County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% slightly exceeds the national average, driven by modest wages ($66,821 median income) meeting moderate rents ($836). Housing consumes a notably higher share of income than more balanced markets, particularly challenging for lower-wage households.

Less affordable than most Iowa counties

Clarke's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, placing it in the less-affordable half of the state's counties. With median rent of $836—$24 above the state average—housing competition here is moderately fierce.

Among the pricier options in the region

Clarke County's $836 rent ranks as the second-highest in this eight-county comparison, undercutting only Cerro Gordo's $840. Owner costs are notably steeper at $1,084 monthly, suggesting higher-value homes attracting wealthier buyers and pushing up the overall market.

Homeownership carries a steep monthly bill

Clarke renters pay $836 monthly while homeowners face $1,084, a gap of $248 that reflects higher-value properties in the county. With median home values of $160,200 and median income of $66,821, affordability for first-time buyers requires careful planning.

Clarke County suits established homeowners better

If you're relocating to Clarke County, budget accordingly for housing that ranks above regional averages—particularly if you're considering ownership. Renters may find better deals in Crawford or Cherokee; homebuyers should compare Clarke's $160,200 median home value against neighboring markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clarke County

via IncomeByCounty

Clarke below U.S. income benchmarks

Clarke County's median household income of $66,821 trails the national median of $74,755 by 10.6%, situating the county in the lower-middle income band nationally. Though not in poverty territory, Clarke's residents earn noticeably less than the typical American household.

Near Iowa's state average income

Clarke County's $66,821 sits just $3,009 below Iowa's state average of $69,830, placing it squarely in the middle ranks of Iowa's 99 counties. Per capita income of $35,360 lags the state by nearly $2,000, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Mid-range earner in its peer group

Clarke's $66,821 sits between lower-income Clayton ($62,326) and higher-income Chickasaw ($73,421), reflecting moderate economic performance in this region. The county's ranking is solidly middle-of-the-pack for this eight-county cluster.

Housing costs manageable at 15%

Clarke's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio remains well below the 30% stress threshold, preserving household flexibility for other priorities. With a median home value of $160,200, homeownership is realistic for median-earning families without excessive financial strain.

Build Clarke County financial security

Clarke households earning $66,821 can allocate roughly $10,000 annually to saving and investing while keeping housing at 15% of income. Start with an automatic transfer to a high-yield savings account or 401(k)—even $200 monthly compounds into substantial wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clarke County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy significantly below average

Clarke County residents live 75.4 years on average, nearly 3 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With a concerning 20.4% poor or fair health rate—well above the national 15%—the county faces substantial health challenges.

Among Iowa's least healthy counties

At 75.4 years, Clarke County's life expectancy lags Iowa's state average of 77.7 years by 2.3 years, placing it among the state's lowest-performing counties. The 20.4% poor or fair health rate signals systemic challenges in chronic disease management and health outcomes.

Sparse provider network

Clarke County has only 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and critically few mental health providers at just 21 per 100K. This severe shortage means residents frequently travel outside the county for both routine and specialized mental health care.

High uninsured rate compounds access barriers

Clarke's 6.7% uninsured rate tops Iowa's 5.7% average, leaving a significant portion of residents without regular healthcare access. When combined with sparse local providers, uninsured residents face compounded barriers to preventive care that could address the county's elevated health risks.

Coverage is essential here

Clarke residents without insurance should prioritize enrollment through Healthcare.gov or Iowa Medicaid—coverage directly improves health outcomes in areas with limited providers. Securing insurance enables you to access care outside the county and invest in preventive services that can extend your life.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clarke County

via RiskByCounty

Clarke County is Iowa's safest

Clarke's composite risk score of 18.38 ranks among the lowest in the nation, far exceeding the safety of Iowa's average county (39.68). Residents here face minimal natural disaster exposure compared to almost any American region.

Lowest risk of all Iowa counties

Clarke ranks last (safest) among Iowa's 99 counties with its 18.38 composite score. This exceptional safety reflects favorable geography and climate characteristics that protect the county from most major hazards.

Significantly safer than neighbors

Clarke's 18.38 score stands markedly below neighboring Clayton (42.21) and Clinton (64.82), making it an island of relative safety in a region with more hazard exposure. This distinction reflects Clarke's unique positioning in south-central Iowa.

Wildfire emerges as primary concern

Clarke's wildfire risk of 42.02 represents its highest single hazard exposure, though still below state average. Tornado (44.59), flood (9.64), and earthquake (14.85) risks all remain exceptionally low.

Standard homeowners insurance adequate

Clarke's minimal risk profile means most homeowners can rely on standard policies for adequate coverage. Residents with wildland-adjacent properties should ensure their coverage includes brush clearance and defensible space improvements.

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.