countyscore
58.4
County Score
Water Quality 86Lawn Care 78.7Health 77.3

County Report Card

About Greene County, Iowa

Solid Performance on the National Stage

Greene County achieves a composite score of 58.4, which is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high quality of life that avoids the pitfalls of more expensive urban areas. It remains a competitive and attractive option for residents looking for consistency.

A Reliable Performer in Iowa

Greene County’s score of 58.4 comfortably beats the Iowa state average of 55.6. It is one of the more consistent performers in the state's central region, balancing affordability with public services. It represents the quintessential Iowa lifestyle with slightly better-than-average metrics across the board.

Pristine Water and Reliable Health

The county’s greatest assets are its Water Score of 86.0 and Health Score of 77.3. Safety is also a strong point at 73.8, ensuring a peaceful environment for all residents. Its Tax Score of 25.7 is better than many neighboring counties, thanks to a 1.197% effective rate.

Income Growth and School Scores

Income is a notable challenge, with an Income Score of 36.3 and a median household income of $59,159. The School Score of 52.8 also indicates that local educational outcomes are middle-of-the-road. Encouraging new industries could help boost these numbers and attract more young families.

Great for Retirees and Remote Workers

Greene County is ideal for those who value health and safety and don't rely on the local labor market for high wages. With a median home value of $140,500, it is a low-cost destination for a high-quality retirement. It offers the quiet, secure lifestyle many are searching for today.

Score breakdown

Tax25.7Cost59.1Safety73.8Health77.3Schools52.8Income36.3Risk68.2Water86Weather45.8
🏛25.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡73.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤77.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓52.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡68.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤45.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨73
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱78.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Carroll County
Iowa
61.5
Boone County
Iowa
57.8
Guthrie County
Iowa
60.2
Calhoun County
Iowa
65.9
Webster County
Iowa
41.6
Dallas County
Iowa
42
Audubon County
Iowa
59.7
Hamilton County
Iowa
57.6

Deep Dives

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Greene County

via TaxByCounty

Greene has Iowa's lowest tax rate

Greene County's effective rate of 1.197% ranks in the top 10% nationally, placing it around the 30th percentile. Homeowners pay just $1,682 annually on the median property—37% less than the national median of $2,690.

The state's most tax-friendly county

Greene County ranks 1st among Iowa's 99 counties with the lowest effective tax rate of 1.197%—0.147 percentage points below the state average. Its median tax of $1,682 is the most affordable in the state.

Clear regional tax leader

Greene County's 1.197% rate significantly undercuts all nearby counties, including Fayette (1.316%), Fremont (1.300%), and Guthrie (1.325%). It stands as the region's most tax-efficient option by a substantial margin.

Annual tax on $140,500 home

Greene County's median home value is $140,500, resulting in a median annual tax of $1,682. With a mortgage, the figure is $1,780; without, $1,577.

Still worth reviewing your assessment

Even in Iowa's lowest-tax county, some homeowners are overassessed relative to current market value. A free appeal could reduce your bill further if your assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Greene County

via CostByCounty

Greene's housing burden exceeds national norm

Greene County residents spend 15.7% of income on rent, noticeably above the national average and approaching the threshold where housing affordability becomes strained. With median incomes of $59,159—below the national median—the burden falls heaviest on lower-earning households.

Above-average cost pressure in Iowa

Greene's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Iowa's 14.1% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. The county ranks in the upper tier of housing cost burden across Iowa.

Higher rents than most nearby counties

Greene's median rent of $774 ranks second-highest in the region, behind only Fayette County's $813, and substantially above Franklin ($649) and Floyd ($672). Combined with below-median incomes, Greene renters face greater affordability pressure than neighbors.

Housing takes a significant income share

Greene households earn $59,159 annually while spending $774 on rent or $844 on homeownership—consuming nearly 16% of income before other expenses. The median home value of $140,500 is relatively accessible, but renters here face tighter budgets.

Greene demands careful budget planning

If relocating to Greene County, ensure your income supports the 15.7% housing burden and higher rents than neighboring Franklin or Floyd. Consider exploring adjacent counties where your income stretches further.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Greene County

via IncomeByCounty

Greene's Income Falls Short Nationally

Greene County's median household income of $59,159 lags the national median of $74,755 by 21%. The county faces the income headwinds common to smaller rural Iowa communities.

Below Iowa's State Median

Greene's $59,159 median falls notably below Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking it among the lower-income counties statewide. Per capita income of $36,237 also underperforms the state average of $37,136.

Lowest Earner in This County Group

Greene's $59,159 income makes it the second-lowest earner in this cluster, outpacing only Fayette County's $58,764. Nearby Grundy and Guthrie counties earn 41–35% more, reflecting stark economic divergence.

Housing Costs Consume More Here

Greene's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% is the highest in this region, meaning housing costs consume a larger share of household earnings. With median home values of $140,500, affordability requires careful budgeting.

Strategic Planning Overcomes Income Limits

Greene households earning $59,159 must prioritize budgeting to fund savings and investments alongside housing obligations. Employer retirement plans and automatic savings transfers—even modest amounts—build wealth despite tight margins.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Greene County

via CrimeByCounty

Greene County Boasts Exceptional Safety

Greene County’s total crime rate of 625.0 per 100K is roughly one-quarter of the national average. It maintains a high safety score of 99.0 out of 100.

Beating the State Average

At 99.0, Greene County's safety score is higher than the Iowa average of 98.3. This highlights the county's success in maintaining a secure environment for its residents.

Strong Security Relative to Neighbors

Greene County’s crime rate of 625.0 is lower than Hamilton’s 874.6 but slightly higher than Guthrie’s 527.4. It remains a very safe choice compared to many other Iowa counties.

Incredibly Low Violent Crime Rates

The violent crime rate in Greene County is just 68.2 per 100K, far lower than the state average of 216.5. Property crime is also low at 556.8, compared to the national 2,015.7 average.

Keeping Your Property Secure

Basic home security habits, like securing garage doors, can prevent property crime. Even with low violent crime, maintaining these habits ensures Greene County remains a safe haven.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Greene County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below U.S. average

Greene County residents live an average of 76.8 years, about 2.1 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 15.9% of adults reporting poor or fair health, the county sits near the middle of regional health outcomes, suggesting a mix of well-managed chronic disease and unmet health needs. Targeted prevention efforts could help close this gap.

Slightly below Iowa's life expectancy benchmark

Greene County's 76.8-year life expectancy is 0.9 years below Iowa's 77.7-year state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. The 15.9% poor/fair health rate suggests residents experience manageable disease burden, yet the shortened lifespan indicates room for improvement in mortality prevention and healthcare optimization.

Mid-range performer with strong provider access

Greene County's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks slightly above Floyd (76.7 years) but below Fayette (77.1 years), placing it squarely in the region's middle. However, it boasts the highest primary care (69 per 100K) and mental health provider density (105 per 100K) in the entire region, suggesting strong infrastructure that hasn't yet fully translated to longer lifespans.

Best-in-region healthcare provider access

Greene County stands out with 69 primary care providers and 105 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding neighboring counties and reflecting strong healthcare infrastructure. An uninsured rate of 5.8% is slightly above the state average but remains manageable, meaning most residents can tap into these abundant resources. This rare advantage should translate to better health outcomes if barriers to care are addressed.

Access expert care with the right coverage

Greene County's exceptional provider network is most valuable when residents have insurance to access it; with a 5.8% uninsured rate, ensure you're covered. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to enroll in a plan that lets you fully leverage the county's strong healthcare workforce.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Greene County

via SchoolsByCounty

Concentrated Quality in Greene County

Five public schools serve Greene County's 1,447 students through two main districts. The county maintains a focused infrastructure of two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools.

Strong Graduation Success for Students

Greene County delivers a 90.0% graduation rate, comfortably beating the national average of 87%. The county spends $7,610 per pupil, maintaining a 54.8 school score that stays close to state benchmarks.

Greene County Community District Takes the Lead

The Greene County Community School District enrolls 1,259 students, making it the dominant educational force in the area. The smaller Paton-Churdan district provides alternative options with 188 students across two schools.

Larger Campuses in a Rural Landscape

While four of the five schools are rural, Greene County Elementary is quite large for the area with 539 students. The average school size is 289, though Paton-Churdan Elementary offers a much smaller environment with just 89 students.

Educational Stability for Your Family

Greene County offers a stable, high-graduating school system with a choice between larger and very small schools. Look for homes in the area to benefit from consistent academic performance and strong community support.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Greene County

via RiskByCounty

Greene ranks well below national risk

Greene County's composite risk score of 31.77 sits substantially below the national average, earning a "Very Low" risk rating. The county faces significantly less natural disaster exposure than typical American communities.

Below-average risk for Iowa

Greene County scores 31.77 versus Iowa's 39.68 state average, placing it among the safer Iowa counties. The county enjoys lower natural hazard exposure than most of its statewide peers.

Mid-range safety in central Iowa

Greene County's 31.77 score places it between Fremont (14.98) and Fayette (50.89) counties regionally, occupying a moderate-safety tier. It ranks safer than both Fayette and Floyd to the northeast, but faces slightly higher risk than Fremont to the southwest.

Tornadoes the primary concern

Tornado risk dominates Greene County's hazard profile at 65.52, the leading threat residents face. Flood and wildfire risks remain low at 12.02 and 10.31 respectively, creating a tornado-focused risk environment.

Prioritize tornado readiness

Greene County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and develop a household tornado safety plan with a designated shelter location. Flood insurance is unnecessary for most properties, but all residents should practice tornado drills during spring storm season.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Greene County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic interior continental weather

Greene County averages 47.8°F annually, falling below the national temperature median. It receives 35.3 inches of precipitation, making it a standard representation of the Midwestern climate.

Typical Iowa temperature and rainfall

The county's 47.8°F average temperature is very close to the state average of 48.0°F. Its 35.3 inches of annual precipitation also tracks closely with the state average of 36.1 inches.

Warmer than its northern neighbors

Greene County is warmer than Hamilton County, which averages just 46.1°F. It also records 31.7 inches of snow, slightly more than Franklin County's 30.0 inches.

Hot summers with snowy stretches

Summer heat is common here, with an average of 19 days hitting at least 90°F. Winters are cold, averaging 18.4°F in January with 31.7 inches of annual snowfall.

Prepare for summer heat waves

With nearly three weeks of 90-degree weather, cooling capacity is a priority for local homes. Winter planning should account for a 21.8°F seasonal average and steady snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Greene County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Strengths in Greene County

Greene County soil carries a pH of 6.80, which is more alkaline than the state average of 6.43. This environment earns a soil score of 73.0, reflecting strong overall agricultural productivity.

Balanced Sand and Silt Mix

The soil contains 38.7% sand and 37.5% silt, creating a manageable and porous texture. A clay content of 23.7% ensures the soil retains enough moisture and structure for consistent crop yields.

Impressive Organic Nutrient Load

Organic matter is very high at 4.41%, well above the Iowa average of 3.81%. The available water capacity of 0.194 in/in is nearly identical to the state benchmark, offering excellent fertility for local growers.

Manageable Hydrology and Soil Flow

While specific drainage classes are not officially recorded in the current data, the high sand percentage suggests good natural aeration. Gardeners should still check for low spots where the 23.7% clay might collect water.

Planting for the Zone 5a Climate

Zone 5a is ideal for cold-hardy perennials and diverse summer vegetables. The high organic matter in Greene County provides the perfect foundation for starting a high-yield home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Greene County

via LawnByCounty

Greene County's Turf Potential

Greene County scores a 78.7 for lawn difficulty, placing it above the Iowa state average. As a zone 5a region, it is well-suited for traditional Midwestern lawns. Homeowners here face fewer challenges than those in 50% of the country.

Managing Summer Sun and Rain

The county receives 35.3 inches of rain annually and endures 19 extreme heat days. This combination of average rain and slightly higher heat means your mowing schedule will peak in late spring. Keep an eye on the 2966 growing degree days to time your fertilizer applications perfectly.

Solid Soil Nutrients

The soil pH in Greene County is 6.80, which is near the top of the ideal range for nutrient uptake. While texture data is limited, the 38.7% sand content suggests that drainage is likely efficient in many areas. This prevents the soggy roots often found in heavier clay regions.

Excellent Drought Resistance

Greene County had only 2 weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, no part of the county is dry. This stability is a major advantage for maintaining a green lawn with minimal effort. Consistent rainfall has kept the environment favorable for turf health.

Seeding for a Strong Finish

Standard cool-season blends thrive in this environment when planted in late April. The last spring frost typically occurs around April 26th, opening the window for early growth. Aim to have new grass established before the first fall frost on October 9th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greene County's county score?
Greene County, Iowa has a composite county score of 58.4 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 Greene County rank among counties in Iowa?
Greene County ranks #52 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 Greene County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Greene County is $1,682, with an effective tax rate of 1.20%. This earns Greene County a tax score of 25.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greene County?
The median household income in Greene County, Iowa is $59,159 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greene County earns an income score of 36.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greene County, Iowa a good place to live?
Greene County scores 58.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Greene 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 Greene County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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