countyscore
56.7
County Score
Safety 89.8Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 77.2

County Report Card

About Davis County, Iowa

Beating the National Livability Benchmark

Davis County secures a composite score of 56.0, which sits comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This performance indicates a higher-than-average quality of life compared to the typical American county.

A Competitive Iowa Contender

With a score of 56.0, Davis County is performing slightly better than the Iowa state average of 55.6. It holds its own against state neighbors by balancing solid incomes with impressive community safety.

Elite Safety and Strong Incomes

Safety is a hallmark here, reflected in an exceptional score of 89.8. This is paired with an Income Score of 83.3, supported by a healthy median household income of $79,505.

Addressing High Property Tax Burdens

The county's Tax Score of 12.1 is its primary weakness, driven by an effective tax rate of 1.518%. Improving affordability in the tax sector would help round out its otherwise strong profile.

Perfect for Secure, Working Families

Davis County is an ideal fit for families who value personal safety and reliable incomes above all else. Its combination of low crime and solid earnings makes it a standout choice in the region.

2040608010014.840.889.85171.777.249.78651.9Tax14.8Cost40.8Safety89.8Health51Schools71.7Income77.2Risk49.7Water86Weather51.956.7/100
This county
National avg
4 above average1 below average

Davis County DNA

Foverall

How Davis County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Davis County excels in 4 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (89.8/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Property Tax (14.8/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
14.8-37.2
Cost
40.8
Safety
89.8+34.8
Health
51
Schools
71.7+17.700000000000003
Income
77.2+26.200000000000003
Risk
49.7
Water
86+28
Weather
51.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Davis County?

Many homeowners in Davis County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$868/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,194/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Schuyler County
Missouri
56.7
Scotland County
Missouri
59.8
Appanoose County
Iowa
47.7
Wapello County
Iowa
34.3
Van Buren County
Iowa
61.5
Jefferson County
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49.7
Monroe County
Iowa
59.1
Putnam County
Missouri
62.5

Deep Dives

Davis County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Davis County

via TaxByCounty

Davis County taxes exceed national norms

Davis County's effective tax rate of 1.518% sits well above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties by tax burden. Though the median property tax of $2,217 remains below the national median of $2,690, the county's rate is notably aggressive on lower-valued properties.

Among the highest-taxing Iowa counties

At 1.518%, Davis County's effective rate ranks among Iowa's steepest, outpacing the state average of 1.344% by over 13 percentage points. The median tax of $2,217 exceeds Iowa's median by just 2.6%, showing that Davis County achieves higher tax revenues through aggressive rates rather than inflated property values.

Davis County stands out regionally

Davis County's 1.518% rate is the highest among comparable counties in southeastern Iowa, significantly exceeding Delaware County (1.343%), Dubuque County (1.260%), and Des Moines County (1.531%). Only Decatur County (1.695%) edges it out in the broader region.

Your annual Davis County tax bill

On a median home valued at $146,000, Davis County homeowners pay approximately $2,217 per year in property taxes. For those with a mortgage, the escrow amount typically reaches $2,316 annually; those without a mortgage pay around $2,100.

Your tax bill may be too high

Many Davis County homeowners face overassessment, particularly as property values fluctuate in rural markets. An assessment review or formal appeal could reveal opportunities to reduce your tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Davis County

via IncomeByCounty

Davis County above national income median

Davis County's median household income of $79,505 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 6%, placing the county firmly in the upper-middle range nationally. This performance reflects steady economic activity and above-average earning capacity.

Strong ranking within Iowa

Davis County earns $79,505, which ranks well above Iowa's state average of $69,830—a 14% advantage that positions it among the state's more prosperous counties. This income level supports a stable middle-class lifestyle across the county.

Mid-tier among regional peers

Davis County's $79,505 income sits between Dallas County's $102,349 (the regional leader) and Delaware County's $76,205, showing solid performance in a competitive region. The county maintains healthy income levels despite proximity to higher-earning Dallas County.

Housing costs well-managed

At 13.3%, Davis County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating residents have ample disposable income after housing. The median home value of $146,000 represents a reasonable investment relative to local earning power.

Invest your housing savings surplus

Davis County residents spending just 13% of income on rent or mortgages have genuine capacity to invest the remaining $68,000+ in retirement and education goals. A financial advisor can help allocate this surplus toward diversified portfolios or emergency funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Davis County

via CrimeByCounty

Elite Safety Standards in Davis

Davis County boasts an exceptional safety score of 99.7. Its total crime rate of 209.0 per 100K is a small fraction of the national average, which sits at 2385.5.

Leading the State in Security

The county is significantly safer than the Iowa average of 1095.3 crimes per 100K. Its safety score of 99.7 easily outpaces the high state average of 98.3.

Davis Outshines Its Regional Neighbors

Two local reporting agencies oversee a community with remarkably low incident levels. Compared to neighboring counties, Davis remains a standout for peace and security.

Minimal Property and Violent Crimes

The county reports just 66.0 violent crimes and 143.0 property crimes per 100K residents. These ultra-low numbers suggest a very low risk for almost all types of criminal activity.

Maintain Your Peace of Mind

Low crime rates offer great comfort, but basic security habits remain important. Simple acts like locking vehicles and installing porch lights help keep Davis County exceptionally safe.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Davis County

via WeatherByCounty

Approaching the National Temperature Median

Davis County averages 51.2°F annually, bringing it closer to the national median than most of its northern peers. The county receives 39.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is significantly higher than many more arid regions in the Western U.S. This climate is defined by its humid, productive summers and moderately cold winters.

One of Iowa's Warmest Counties

Davis County's 51.2°F average temperature is significantly higher than the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. It also receives about 3 inches more rain annually than the state average of 36.1 inches. This makes it one of the warmer and wetter pockets in the southern Iowa landscape.

Consistent Warmth Across the Southern Border

Davis County shares a similar climate profile with its neighbor Decatur County, which averages 50.9°F. Both counties enjoy warmer winters and more precipitation than northern Iowa counties like Emmet or Dickinson. This southern positioning allows for a slightly longer growing season and fewer extreme cold snaps than the rest of the state.

Frequent Heat and Moderate Snow

The county experiences 22 days of extreme heat annually where temperatures top 90°F, peaking with a 75.9°F July average. Winter brings 24.2 inches of annual snowfall and a January average of 23.4°F. These numbers reflect a region where summer humidity and winter slush are both regular parts of life.

Budget for Both Cooling and Plowing

With over three weeks of 90-degree days, reliable air conditioning is a necessity for Davis County residents. Homeowners should also maintain snow removal equipment to manage the 24.2 inches of annual snowfall. The higher-than-average precipitation means moisture-sealed basements and effective gutter systems are critical for property maintenance.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Davis County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Tones in Southern Iowa Soil

Davis County's soil carries an average pH of 6.15, making it more acidic than both the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 6.43. This lower pH suggests that lime treatments may be necessary for certain sensitive crops. Though taxonomic data is not specified, the chemical signature points to a unique southern Iowa profile.

A Silty Foundation with High Silt Content

The soil composition is dominated by silt at 54.1%, paired with 24.9% clay and 21.0% sand. This high silt-to-sand ratio creates a fine-textured soil that holds onto nutrients but can be prone to erosion if left uncovered. The clay content provides enough body to retain moisture during drier spells.

High Water Retention Despite Lower Organic Matter

Organic matter in Davis County averages 2.43%, which is higher than the national 2.0% average but significantly lower than the Iowa average of 3.81%. Interestingly, its available water capacity of 0.197 in/in actually beats the state average. This means the soil is exceptionally good at storing every drop of rain for your plants.

Managing Water in Fine-Textured Earth

The high silt and clay levels suggest the soil may drain slowly, supported by a water capacity that exceeds the state benchmark of 0.195. While specific hydrologic groups are not listed, the density of this soil profile requires careful irrigation management. These traits help explain the county's soil score of 65.2.

Southern Iowa Gardening in Zone 5b

Davis County gardeners in Zone 5b can find great success with acid-loving plants like blueberries or potatoes. The high water capacity is a major asset for maintaining a lush garden through the peak of summer. Use organic mulch to help boost the lower organic matter levels and watch your harvest thrive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Davis County

via LawnByCounty

Reliable Growing Conditions in Zone 5b

Davis County matches the Iowa average with a lawn difficulty score of 77.0, making it significantly easier to manage than the national median of 50.0. The local climate and 5b hardiness zone provide a steady foundation for standard Midwestern turf varieties.

Warm Summers and Plentiful Rain

The county receives 39.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is 3 inches higher than the state average. Residents manage 22 extreme heat days and 3456 growing degree days, requiring a consistent mowing schedule to keep up with rapid summer growth.

Managing Slightly Acidic Soils

A soil pH of 6.15 indicates slightly acidic conditions that still fall within the ideal range for grass health. The soil contains 24.9% clay, which helps retain moisture, though specific drainage classes are not currently recorded for this area.

Navigating Extended Dry Spells

Davis County faced 21 weeks of drought over the past year, and currently, 100% of the area is abnormally dry. Homeowners should utilize mulch-mowing to keep moisture in the ground and prioritize water conservation during these persistent dry periods.

Start Seeding in Mid-April

Optimal seeding begins after the last spring frost on April 16, using hardy cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue. The growing window remains open until late October, as the first fall frost typically arrives around October 22.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Davis County's county score?
Davis County, Iowa has a composite county score of 56.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Davis County rank among counties in Iowa?
Davis County ranks #58 among all counties in Iowa on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Davis County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Davis County is $2,269, with an effective tax rate of 1.40%. This earns Davis County a tax score of 14.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Davis County?
The median household income in Davis County, Iowa is $77,194 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Davis County earns an income score of 77.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Davis County, Iowa a good place to live?
Davis County scores 56.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #58 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Davis County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Davis County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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