CountyScore

Clinton County

Iowa · IA

#86 in Iowa
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Clinton County, Iowa

Above national average despite lower state ranking

Clinton County's composite score of 64.7 is 29% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability compared to U.S. peers. The county remains in the upper-middle range despite trailing Iowa's average.

Below Iowa's average with some headwinds

At 64.7, Clinton County falls below Iowa's state average of 69.3 by 4.6 points, ranking in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. The gap reflects economic and demographic headwinds worth considering.

Affordable housing with reasonable health outcomes

Clinton County offers a Cost Score of 78.3 with median home value of $153,800 and rent at $825/month, providing decent housing affordability. A Health Score of 75.5 suggests adequate healthcare access and outcomes for the community.

High economic risk and tax burden concerns

The county's Risk Score of 35.2—the second-lowest in this group—signals economic instability or employment volatility that may concern families. An effective tax rate of 1.549% and Tax Score of 58.7 are the highest tax burdens among these eight counties.

For cost-conscious families weathering transitions

Clinton County suits budget-focused families, those in career transition, and retirees seeking low housing costs despite economic headwinds. The county offers affordability but with acknowledged economic uncertainty.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.7Cost78.3SafetyComing SoonHealth75.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk35.2WaterComing Soon
🏛58.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.2
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 Clinton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
California
64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
California
64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
California
64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
Georgia
64.7
Median income: $79,431
Missoula County
Montana
64.7
Median income: $71,246

Deep Dives

Clinton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clinton County

via TaxByCounty

Clinton County among nation's highest taxes

At 1.549%, Clinton County's effective tax rate ranks in the top 15% nationally, exceeding the national median of 1.347% by over 15%. Despite this, the county's $2,382 median property tax remains 11% below the national median of $2,690 due to lower Iowa home values.

Iowa's heaviest tax burden

Clinton County ranks among Iowa's most heavily taxed counties, with an effective rate of 1.549% that towers 15% above the state average of 1.344%. The county's $2,382 median property tax exceeds Iowa's median of $2,160 by 10%.

Clearly the region's highest taxes

Clinton County's 1.549% effective rate is the highest in northeast Iowa, outpacing every nearby county including Cerro Gordo (1.496%), Clarke (1.458%), and Clayton (1.380%). Only a handful of Iowa counties match Clinton's tax burden.

Steepest bill in the region

A home valued at $153,800—Clinton County's median—generates approximately $2,382 in annual property taxes under the 1.549% rate. With a mortgage, you'd owe closer to $2,419; without, around $2,323.

High-tax counties deserve close review

In high-burden counties like Clinton, reducing your assessed value through appeal becomes even more valuable—every 1% reduction saves $15–$24 annually on the median home. Iowa's free informal appeals process makes it worth verifying your assessment matches comparable properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clinton County

via CostByCounty

Clinton County housing costs rise above average

Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% exceeds Iowa's state average of 14.1%, reflecting moderate wages ($65,177 median) meeting relatively steep rents ($825). Housing consumes a notably higher proportion of income here than in well-balanced markets.

Tighter affordability than Iowa overall

Clinton's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% ranks above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, placing it in the less-affordable tier of Iowa counties. Monthly rent of $825 runs $13 above the state median, signaling stronger local housing demand.

Rents climb, ownership costs even steeper

Clinton's $825 rent is moderately high regionally, but owner costs of $1,005 monthly rank among the highest in this eight-county group. This gap signals robust property values ($153,800 median) fueling both rental and ownership demand.

Ownership costs jump 22% above rent

Clinton renters allocate $825 monthly while homeowners spend $1,005, a $180 gap reflecting elevated property values in the county. With median home values of $153,800 and median income of $65,177, first-time buyers face meaningful affordability challenges.

Clinton County: pricier than most neighbors

If relocating to Clinton County, expect above-average housing costs relative to local wages—rents rank moderately high and ownership particularly steep. Renters may find better deals in Crawford or Cherokee; homebuyers should compare against other counties where values better match local earning power.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clinton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinton below U.S. income baseline

Clinton County's median household income of $65,177 trails the national median of $74,755 by 12.8%, placing it solidly in the lower-middle tier nationally. Like many rural Midwest counties, Clinton reflects the broader wage pressures facing manufacturing and agricultural communities.

Slightly below Iowa state average

Clinton's $65,177 median income falls $4,653 short of Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking the county in the lower-middle tier statewide. Its per capita income of $36,093 trails the state average by $1,043, indicating relatively concentrated income distribution.

Typical income for the northeastern cluster

Clinton's $65,177 ranks squarely within the regional pattern, nearly identical to Cerro Gordo ($65,537) and Crawford ($65,039). The county sits well below Chickasaw's $73,421 but notably ahead of Clayton's $62,326.

Strong housing affordability ratio

Clinton's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio preserves household flexibility—residents spend less than half the national stress threshold on housing. A median home value of $153,800 keeps homeownership accessible, allowing families to build equity without financial overextension.

Maximize Clinton County's affordability edge

Clinton households earning $65,177 benefit from housing costs at just 15.2% of income—$6,000+ annually freed for savings compared to high-cost regions. Channel those savings into tax-advantaged retirement accounts or a diversified investment portfolio to capitalize on decades of compound growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clinton County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below national average

Clinton County residents live an average of 75.9 years, about 2.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.3 years. The county's 16.5% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 15%, indicating elevated health challenges.

Below-average outcomes for Iowa

At 75.9 years, Clinton County's life expectancy trails Iowa's 77.7-year state average by 1.8 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. This gap suggests systemic challenges in chronic disease management and healthcare access.

Limited primary care, moderate mental health

Clinton offers just 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 186 mental health providers per 100K—fewer primary care options than nearby counties. This imbalance means residents have better mental health support than routine preventive care access.

Uninsured rate below state average

Clinton's 4.8% uninsured rate is the second-lowest in the region and below Iowa's 5.7% average, meaning good insurance coverage for most. However, limited primary care providers mean insurance alone doesn't solve access issues—residents often travel for routine doctor visits.

Insurance is your first step

Clinton residents without coverage should enroll through Healthcare.gov or Iowa Medicaid to join the majority with access to care. Once insured, you can work with your plan to identify primary care providers, potentially outside the county if needed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clinton County

via RiskByCounty

Clinton County faces above-average risk

Clinton's composite risk score of 64.82 substantially exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it among the nation's more hazard-exposed counties. This east-central Iowa county confronts multiple significant natural disaster threats.

Among Iowa's riskiest counties

Clinton ranks in the top tier of Iowa's 99 counties by composite risk with its 64.82 score. Only a handful of Iowa counties face comparable overall hazard exposure, making Clinton notably vulnerable.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Clinton's 64.82 score far exceeds nearby Clayton (42.21) and Dubuque counties, reflecting its unique vulnerability to multiple hazard types. Its position along the Mississippi River and active seismic zone drives this elevated exposure.

Tornado, flood, and earthquake converge

Clinton faces tornado risk of 79.04, flood risk of 66.92, and the state's highest earthquake risk of 45.42—a rare convergence of major hazards. Wildfire risk (50.06) also exceeds state averages, creating multifaceted exposure.

Comprehensive insurance essential

Clinton residents must layer multiple protections: windstorm coverage for tornadoes, flood insurance for recurring water events, and earthquake insurance for seismic risk. A reinforced basement shelter provides critical tornado protection in this high-exposure county.

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.