CountyScore

Decatur County

Iowa · IA

#67 in Iowa
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur Ranks Near the National Median

Decatur County's score of 68.2 sits comfortably above the national median of 50.0, placing it around the 68th percentile nationally. This county offers livability that outperforms the vast majority of U.S. counties, despite its rural character.

Nearly Matches Iowa's Strong State Average

At 68.2, Decatur County nearly mirrors Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the stronger performers in Iowa. This near-parity shows Decatur punches well above its rural weight.

Cost and Risk Management Lead

Decatur County boasts a cost score of 83.7 and an impressive risk score of 76.4—among the highest in this group. With median home values of just $109,500 and monthly rent at $663, Decatur offers genuine affordability paired with resilience to economic shocks.

Income Levels Significantly Lag

The income score of 20.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, reflecting a median household income of only $57,146. This substantial income gap limits purchasing power and career advancement opportunities for residents.

For Resilient, Low-Income Rural Communities

Decatur County is best suited to retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing extreme affordability and economic resilience over high incomes or urban amenities. It's an excellent choice for those with modest means seeking stability and cost control.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.6Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth74.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.7Risk76.4WaterComing Soon
🏛54.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.4
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 Decatur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Decatur County

via TaxByCounty

Decatur County has nation's steepest rate

Decatur County's effective property tax rate of 1.695% ranks among the highest in the nation, nearly 55% above the national median of 1.1%. Despite lower absolute taxes due to modest home values, this rate structure imposes one of the country's heaviest tax burdens on property.

Iowa's most aggressive property taxer

Decatur County's 1.695% effective rate is the highest among all Iowa counties, towering 26% above the state average of 1.344%. This aggressive rate means property owners here carry a disproportionate share of local government costs compared to their counterparts statewide.

Decatur County far outpaces neighbors

At 1.695%, Decatur County's rate dwarfs those of surrounding counties—Davis County (1.518%), Des Moines County (1.531%), and Delaware County (1.343%) all fall significantly below. This makes Decatur the clear tax leader in south-central Iowa, driven by local spending needs and assessment practices.

Your annual Decatur County tax bill

On a median home valued at $109,500, Decatur County homeowners pay approximately $1,856 per year in property taxes. For those with a mortgage, the annual escrow amount is typically $1,914; those without a mortgage pay around $1,759.

Your tax bill may be too high

In Decatur County's high-tax environment, overassessment is especially costly to homeowners. A professional assessment challenge could yield meaningful savings given the county's aggressive rate structure.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Decatur County

via CostByCounty

Decatur's ultra-low rents mask income challenge

Decatur County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% rivals the national average of 14%, but the story beneath is sobering: median household income of just $57,146 is 24% below the national median of $74,755. At $663 monthly rent, Decatur offers the cheapest housing in this county group, yet residents earn considerably less to afford it.

Lowest incomes, lowest rents in Iowa

Decatur County's median rent of $663 is 18% below Iowa's state average of $812, but its median household income of $57,146 is the lowest in the state comparison. The county's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio performs slightly better than Iowa's 14.1% average, only because rents are so dramatically low.

Decatur leads on affordability, lags on wages

While Decatur's $663 rent is lowest among its peers, the median income of $57,146 trails Davis County ($79,505) by 28% and Delaware County ($76,205) by 25%. The county's affordability advantage is driven by economic conditions rather than genuine prosperity.

Stretched budgets in Decatur County

Renters spend 13.9% of their $57,146 income on $663 rent, while homeowners allocate 17.8% to $849 monthly costs for homes valued at $109,500. With limited local income, Decatur residents have little margin for unexpected expenses despite housing's low absolute cost.

Decatur offers bargain housing—with trade-offs

Moving to Decatur County means accessing the cheapest rents and homes in Iowa, but you'll be relocating to a county with the state's lowest median incomes. This destination suits only those with remote income or strong job prospects; for most, the low costs come with genuine economic constraints.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Decatur County

via IncomeByCounty

Decatur County below national average

Decatur County's median household income of $57,146 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755—a 23% shortfall that reflects economic challenges common to rural Iowa. This income level requires careful budgeting to maintain quality of life.

Among Iowa's lower-income counties

At $57,146, Decatur County earns 18% less than Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking near the bottom among the state's counties. The gap highlights structural economic differences between rural and more economically diversified regions.

Struggling relative to adjacent areas

Decatur County's $57,146 income trails Delaware County ($76,205) by nearly $19,000 and Davis County ($79,505) by over $22,000 despite geographic proximity. These gaps suggest limited job growth or wage opportunities compared to neighboring counties.

Tight but manageable housing costs

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.9%, Decatur County residents keep housing costs reasonable, though the lower baseline income leaves less flexibility for other expenses. The median home value of $109,500 is modest and achievable for local earners.

Prioritize emergency savings and skills

Decatur County residents should focus first on building 3–6 months of emergency savings given the lower income base and economic volatility in rural areas. Consider investing in education or certifications that could increase earning potential and economic resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Decatur County

via HealthByCounty

Decatur County confronts lower life expectancy

At 76.0 years, Decatur County's life expectancy ranks below the national average of 76.4 years and Iowa's average of 77.7 years—a gap that reflects persistent health challenges. With 17.0% of residents in poor or fair health, the county mirrors national concerns, suggesting underlying barriers to health maintenance.

Among Iowa's shortest life expectancies

Decatur County's 76.0-year life expectancy places it among the lowest in Iowa, trailing the state average by 1.7 years. While the poor/fair health rate of 17.0% is slightly better than some neighbors, the life expectancy gap indicates systemic health disadvantages.

Mixed provider access in rural context

Decatur County's life expectancy of 76.0 years is the lowest among these eight counties, though it has a notably strong mental health provider ratio of 274 per 100,000 residents—well above the norm. However, primary care access remains modest at 26 providers per 100,000, which may leave some residents traveling for basic services.

Low uninsured rate, but care access limited

Decatur County's uninsured rate of 5.8% is close to the state average of 5.7%, meaning most residents have insurance coverage. Yet with only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, many insured Decatur residents may struggle to find and reach a family doctor.

Ensure your Decatur County coverage holds

Nearly all Decatur County residents have insurance, but staying covered ensures you can access the primary care that the county needs to improve outcomes. If your coverage lapses, find new options at Healthcare.gov or through Iowa's marketplace within 60 days.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Decatur County

via RiskByCounty

Decatur County: Iowa's Lowest-Risk Profile

Decatur County's composite risk score of 23.60 ranks it "Very Low," making it one of Iowa's safest counties and well below the state average of 39.68. This favorable profile reflects consistently low exposure across all major hazard categories, from floods (15.84) to earthquakes (18.61). Residents enjoy comparatively minimal natural disaster risk relative to regional and national benchmarks.

Lowest Risk Among Iowa's 99 Counties

Decatur County consistently ranks at or near the bottom of Iowa's disaster risk scale, with no hazard category exceeding 52 on the risk index. This exceptional safety profile results from the county's geography, climate patterns, and distance from seismic zones and flood-prone river corridors. Among all Iowa counties, Decatur offers residents the most favorable natural disaster risk environment.

Safest County in Southern Iowa Region

Decatur County's 23.60 score dramatically underperforms neighboring Davis (50.35), Appanoose, and Wayne counties, establishing it as the region's clear safety leader. Even closest neighbors in Clarke and Lucas counties report meaningfully higher composite risk scores. This geographic pocket of low risk makes Decatur an outlier within south-central Iowa's broader hazard landscape.

Wildfire Risk Stands Out Among Low Threats

While Decatur County remains exceptionally safe overall, wildfire risk at 52.10 is the highest among its hazard categories, reflecting vegetation and drought exposure. Tornado risk at 48.31 remains well below state averages, though spring weather remains a seasonal consideration. Flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks all score below 20, presenting minimal practical concern for most residents.

Standard Coverage Meets Your Needs

Decatur County's low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance with basic wind and fire coverage typically provides adequate protection. Maintain good roof condition and clear gutters to prevent minor weather damage, and keep trees trimmed back from your home as a wildfire precaution. Annual policy reviews remain wise practice, but Decatur residents need not fear the extreme exposures facing neighboring counties.

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.