Grundy County's composite score of 75.3 crushes the national median of 50.0 by 50 percentile points, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. counties for livability. This reflects exceptional performance across income, health, and risk dimensions.
2 / 5
Iowa's highest-ranking county in this group
At 75.3, Grundy County significantly outperforms Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the state's very best performers. It represents the gold standard for livability within Iowa's 99-county network.
3 / 5
Highest income and excellent risk resilience
Grundy's income score of 38.0 leads this group with median household income of $83,617, reflecting strong earning potential and economic vitality. Risk score of 86.9 is the highest here, and tax score of 72.2 with a 1.069% rate shows efficient fiscal management.
4 / 5
Housing costs higher than some alternatives
Cost score of 79.2 and median home value of $180,500 indicate housing is pricier than some peer counties, though still reasonable nationally. Health score of 81.6, while strong, leaves marginal room for improvement in health services access.
5 / 5
Premier choice for high-earning families
Grundy County is the clear choice for affluent families and professionals seeking top-tier incomes, excellent health care, and economic stability. If you can afford higher housing costs, Grundy delivers Iowa's best overall livability package.
Grundy County's composite score of 75.3 crushes the national median of 50.0 by 50 percentile points, placing it in the top 10% of U.S. counties for livability. This reflects exceptional performance across income, health, and risk dimensions.
Iowa's highest-ranking county in this group
At 75.3, Grundy County significantly outperforms Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it among the state's very best performers. It represents the gold standard for livability within Iowa's 99-county network.
Highest income and excellent risk resilience
Grundy's income score of 38.0 leads this group with median household income of $83,617, reflecting strong earning potential and economic vitality. Risk score of 86.9 is the highest here, and tax score of 72.2 with a 1.069% rate shows efficient fiscal management.
Housing costs higher than some alternatives
Cost score of 79.2 and median home value of $180,500 indicate housing is pricier than some peer counties, though still reasonable nationally. Health score of 81.6, while strong, leaves marginal room for improvement in health services access.
Premier choice for high-earning families
Grundy County is the clear choice for affluent families and professionals seeking top-tier incomes, excellent health care, and economic stability. If you can afford higher housing costs, Grundy delivers Iowa's best overall livability package.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛72.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.069%, Grundy County has one of the lowest effective tax rates in the nation, ranking in the top 5% nationally. The median tax bill of $1,929 is just 72% of the national median of $2,690.
Second-lowest rate in all Iowa
Grundy County ranks 2nd among Iowa's 99 counties with an effective rate of 1.069%—0.275 percentage points below the state average. Its median tax of $1,929 remains $231 below the state median despite higher property values.
Region's standout tax advantage
Grundy County's 1.069% rate beats all nearby counties decisively, including Greene County (1.197%) and Fayette County (1.316%). It offers the region's most aggressive tax advantage.
Tax on $180,500 median home
Despite having one of the region's highest median home values at $180,500, Grundy County residents pay just $1,929 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill is $2,049; without, $1,804.
Verify your assessment's accuracy
Grundy County's low rates don't guarantee every homeowner is accurately assessed; overvaluation can happen anywhere. Request a free assessment appeal if you believe your home's value doesn't reflect the current market.
Grundy County residents spend just 11.2% of household income on rent—the lowest ratio among these eight counties and well below the national average. With median household incomes of $83,617, Grundy combines the region's highest earnings with reasonable housing costs.
Among Iowa's most affordable and wealthiest
Grundy's 11.2% rent-to-income ratio significantly undercuts Iowa's 14.1% state average, and the county's median income of $83,617 exceeds the national median by $9,000. Grundy delivers excellent affordability paired with strong earning power.
Highest incomes, strong affordability edge
Grundy's median income of $83,617 tops all nearby counties, while its 11.2% rent-to-income ratio remains among the best in the region. Though median rent of $777 is mid-range regionally, Grundy residents earn enough to make it comfortably affordable.
Affluence enables housing flexibility
Grundy households earn $83,617 annually—the highest in this county group—while paying $777 in rent or $1,004 for homeownership. The median home value of $180,500 reflects the county's relative prosperity, and residents' strong incomes make it accessible.
Grundy: prosperity meets affordability
If you're relocating and earning above-median income, Grundy County offers the best overall value: highest local wages, lowest housing burden, and strong community stability. Your financial situation improves fastest in this county.
Grundy County's median household income of $83,617 significantly exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 12%. The county ranks among Iowa's most prosperous communities by household earnings.
Top Earner in Iowa
Grundy's $83,617 median income ranks among the highest in Iowa, surpassing the state average of $69,830 by nearly 20%. Per capita income of $39,565 also exceeds the state average of $37,136.
Regional Income Leader
Grundy's $83,617 income outpaces all neighboring counties in this cluster, including Guthrie at $79,981 and Fremont at $73,750. The county's strong earnings reflect robust industrial and agricultural economic activity.
Excellent Housing-to-Income Ratio
Grundy's rent-to-income ratio of 11.2% is the lowest in the region, providing substantial breathing room in household budgets. A median home value of $180,500 remains affordable given the county's strong incomes.
Maximize Wealth-Building Opportunities
Grundy households earning $83,617 should aggressively fund retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and education savings to capitalize on their income advantage. Maxing out 401(k) contributions and exploring additional investment vehicles compounds wealth significantly.
Grundy County residents live an average of 79.3 years—1.4 years above the U.S. average of 78.9 years—making it one of Iowa's health success stories. Only 13.3% of adults report poor or fair health, reinforcing that residents enjoy both longevity and strong perceived wellness. This exceptional performance suggests effective disease prevention, good healthcare access, or favorable demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Outperforms Iowa by 1.6 years
Grundy County's 79.3-year life expectancy exceeds Iowa's 77.7-year state average by 1.6 years, placing it firmly in the state's top tier of healthiest counties. This advantage reflects sustained investments in health infrastructure, prevention, or community factors that protect residents' longevity. The county stands as a model for what's possible when health systems and communities align.
Regional health leader by a wide margin
At 79.3 years, Grundy County's life expectancy towers over all neighbors—1.5 years above Guthrie (78.8 years), its nearest peer, and nearly 3.5 years above Franklin County. Its 13.3% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the best in the region, cementing Grundy's status as a health outlier with sustained advantages. Understanding what drives this success could inform improvements across neighboring communities.
Solid access with low uninsured rate
Grundy County has 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 48 mental health providers, offering adequate coverage for a county of its size. Most notably, its 4.3% uninsured rate is the lowest in the region, meaning nearly all residents have insurance gates to care when needed. This combination of access and coverage explains much of the county's health advantage.
Maintain your health coverage advantage
Grundy County's exceptional 4.3% uninsured rate reflects strong community insurance uptake; if you're among the few without coverage, act now to close that gap. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact Iowa Medicaid to enroll and ensure you're protected against health costs that could derail your family's wellbeing.
Grundy County's composite risk score of 13.14 places it among the lowest-risk counties nationwide, earning a "Very Low" designation. The county faces minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American communities.
Iowa's safest risk profile
Grundy County scores 13.14 against Iowa's 39.68 state average, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. The county enjoys substantially lower natural hazard exposure than nearly all other Iowa counties.
One of region's safest areas
Grundy County's 13.14 score ties it with Fremont County (14.98) as among the lowest-risk counties in central-eastern Iowa. It ranks safer than all nearby counties including Franklin (21.95) and Fayette (50.89).
Tornado risk dominates minimal threats
Tornado risk is Grundy County's highest hazard at 34.76, though even this ranks low nationally. Flood risk at 14.19 and wildfire at 8.05 complete a hazard profile that ranks among America's safest.
Standard insurance suffices here
Grundy County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance coverage without needing specialized flood or additional wind policies. Maintain a basic tornado safety plan, but the county's low hazard exposure means emergency preparedness is straightforward compared to most regions.