Davis County's composite score of 64.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it at approximately the 64th percentile across all U.S. counties. This reflects a county with above-average livability fundamentals in an affordable, rural package.
2 / 5
Middle-Ground Standing in Iowa
At 64.4, Davis County sits slightly below Iowa's state average of 69.3, holding a middle position within the state. It represents a solid, middle-of-the-pack option among Iowa's counties.
3 / 5
Affordability Is the Real Winner
Davis County shines with a cost score of 77.2, offering median housing costs of just $146,000 and monthly rent at $878—among the lowest in this group. This exceptional affordability makes Davis attractive for budget-conscious families and retirees.
4 / 5
Income and Health Opportunities Modest
Davis County's income score of 35.3 and health score of 66.9 are its weakest areas, indicating lower median household income ($79,505) and fewer health advantages than peers. Risk exposure, at 49.7, also sits in the middle range, suggesting moderate vulnerability to economic shifts.
5 / 5
For Budget-Minded Retirees and Families
Davis County is ideal for retirees, young families, and others prioritizing low housing costs and tax-friendly living over high incomes or advanced healthcare. It's a genuine rural bargain for those willing to trade amenity density for financial breathing room.
Davis County's composite score of 64.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, positioning it at approximately the 64th percentile across all U.S. counties. This reflects a county with above-average livability fundamentals in an affordable, rural package.
Middle-Ground Standing in Iowa
At 64.4, Davis County sits slightly below Iowa's state average of 69.3, holding a middle position within the state. It represents a solid, middle-of-the-pack option among Iowa's counties.
Affordability Is the Real Winner
Davis County shines with a cost score of 77.2, offering median housing costs of just $146,000 and monthly rent at $878—among the lowest in this group. This exceptional affordability makes Davis attractive for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Income and Health Opportunities Modest
Davis County's income score of 35.3 and health score of 66.9 are its weakest areas, indicating lower median household income ($79,505) and fewer health advantages than peers. Risk exposure, at 49.7, also sits in the middle range, suggesting moderate vulnerability to economic shifts.
For Budget-Minded Retirees and Families
Davis County is ideal for retirees, young families, and others prioritizing low housing costs and tax-friendly living over high incomes or advanced healthcare. It's a genuine rural bargain for those willing to trade amenity density for financial breathing room.
Score breakdown
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🏛59.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.3%, Davis County beats the national average of 14% and offers solid rental affordability despite modest local wages. The median household income of $79,505 exceeds the national median of $74,755, while monthly rents of $878 remain below most comparable U.S. counties.
Below-average rents across Iowa
Davis County's median rent of $878 is only 8% above Iowa's state average of $812, placing it among the more affordable rental markets in the state. Its 13.3% rent-to-income ratio is the best in this comparison group, offering renters genuine breathing room in their monthly budgets.
Davis undercuts most regional competitors
Renters in Davis County pay roughly $65 less monthly than Delaware County ($743 is actually lower—Davis at $878 sits between Delaware and Decatur at $663). Davis balances moderate rents with the highest median income among the rural Iowa counties examined here.
Balanced housing costs in Davis
Renters dedicate 13.3% of income to $878 monthly rent, while homeowners spend 15.3% on $1,010 owner costs for properties valued at $146,000. Davis County offers a rare equilibrium: income ($79,505) sufficient to comfortably cover both rental and ownership options.
Davis County rewards budget-conscious movers
Relocating to Davis County means accessing affordable rents ($878/month) and modest home prices ($146,000 median) without sacrificing income potential. For remote workers or those willing to commute, Davis offers Iowa's sweet spot between affordability and earning power.
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.
Davis County's life expectancy of 77.3 years falls slightly below both the national average (76.4 years) and Iowa's average (77.7 years), while 17.5% of residents report poor or fair health—significantly higher than the national average of 18%. These metrics point to a county wrestling with substantial health disadvantages.
Below-average health outcomes for Iowa
Davis County ranks among Iowa's weaker performers on life expectancy, trailing the state average of 77.7 years, and its poor/fair health rate of 17.5% exceeds most other Iowa counties. This combination suggests Davis County faces distinct health barriers that warrant targeted attention.
Struggling compared to surrounding counties
Davis County's 77.3-year life expectancy lags significantly behind Delaware County (79.3 years) and even Decatur County (76.0 years), placing it among the region's weakest performers. The county also faces a critical provider shortage: just 22 primary care physicians and 11 mental health providers per 100,000 residents make healthcare access difficult.
Insurance crisis limits healthcare access
Davis County's uninsured rate of 14.4% is among Iowa's highest—more than double the state average of 5.7%—leaving significant portions of the population vulnerable to medical emergencies. Coupled with just 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents (the lowest among these counties), Davis residents face serious barriers to preventive and routine care.
Davis County, coverage starts now
With 14.4% of neighbors uninsured, Davis County faces a genuine health crisis. Visit Healthcare.gov today or call the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1-855-336-8930 to explore subsidized plans—coverage can be affordable, and the health stakes are high.
Davis County's composite risk score of 50.35 classifies it as "Relatively Low" but remains above Iowa's state average of 39.68, reflecting balanced exposure across multiple hazard types. The county's risk profile is driven equally by wildfire and tornado threats, each scoring above 68, creating a distinctive dual-hazard environment. This balance distinguishes Davis from many peer counties that face single dominant threats.
Upper-Middle Risk Tier in Iowa Landscape
Davis County ranks in the upper-middle range among Iowa's 99 counties for overall disaster risk, with notable elevation in wildfire (68.64) and tornado (68.73) metrics. Both hazards score significantly higher than the state average, placing Davis among counties most exposed to these specific threats. The county's relatively low flood risk at 32.67 provides modest relief compared to riverine neighbors.
Wildfire Risk Sets Davis Apart Locally
Davis County's wildfire score of 68.64 substantially exceeds neighboring Van Buren, Wapello, and Appanoose counties, reflecting its terrain and vegetation patterns. Tornado risks are comparable to neighbors, but Davis's elevated wildfire exposure creates a unique vulnerability profile for the region. Among immediate surrounding counties, Davis faces the most acute combined wildfire-tornado exposure.
Wildfires and Tornadoes Drive Your Risk
Wildfire risk at 68.64 is exceptionally high for eastern Iowa, making defensible space around your home and ember-resistant landscaping practical priorities. Tornado risk at 68.73 matches this threat level, requiring both weather preparedness plans and a safe room strategy for severe spring storms. Earthquake risk at 33.27 is moderate but warrants basic structural assessment of older homes.
Address Wildfire and Tornado Exposure
Create a 30-foot defensible space around your home by removing dead vegetation, overhanging branches, and leaf litter to mitigate wildfire spread. Install a weather alert system and designate a basement safe room for tornado protection, testing your plan quarterly. Ensure your homeowner's policy explicitly covers both wind and wildfire damage, and review coverage limits annually with your insurance agent.