countyscore
59.1
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 81.7Income & Jobs 80.7

County Report Card

About Harrison County, Iowa

Well Above National Standards

Harrison County scores a 58.5, beating the national median of 50.0 by over eight points. This indicates a quality of life that exceeds the typical American experience.

Beating the Iowa Average

Harrison's composite score of 58.5 outpaces the state average of 55.6. It stands out as a reliable and stable choice within the western Iowa landscape.

Strong Incomes and Top Safety

The county features an impressive income score of 80.1, backed by a median household income of $77,027. Safety is also a major highlight, earning a high score of 81.7.

Tax and Housing Affordability

Cost of living is a concern, reflected in a cost score of 41.8 and a tax score of 19.3. Median home values of $165,300 are higher than some surrounding rural peers.

Best for High-Earning Professionals

Harrison is perfect for professionals seeking a safe community with high earning potential. While taxes and costs are elevated, the safety and income scores offer a strong trade-off.

2040608010017.945.881.769.865.280.768.78643.6Tax17.9Cost45.8Safety81.7Health69.8Schools65.2Income80.7Risk68.7Water86Weather43.659.1/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Harrison County DNA

Foverall

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

Harrison County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Income (80.7/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
17.9-34.1
Cost
45.8
Safety
81.7+26.700000000000003
Health
69.8+19.799999999999997
Schools
65.2+11.200000000000003
Income
80.7+29.700000000000003
Risk
68.7+21.700000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
43.6-12.399999999999999
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Harrison County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$176,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$849/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$176,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $79,535/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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Counties with similar scores

Monroe County
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Median income: $70,996
59.1
Grant County
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Powell County
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Calvert County
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Holt County
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Bedford County
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Ritchie County
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Kewaunee County
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59.1

Nearby counties

Washington County
Nebraska
55.8
Burt County
Nebraska
65
Pottawattamie County
Iowa
36
Douglas County
Nebraska
29.6
Monona County
Iowa
59.5
Shelby County
Iowa
68
Crawford County
Iowa
55.2
Dodge County
Nebraska
42.5

Deep Dives

Harrison County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harrison County

via TaxByCounty

Harrison's rate hovers near the national norm

Harrison County's effective tax rate of 1.339% aligns closely with the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the mainstream for tax burden. The median property tax of $2,214 represents about 82% of the national median of $2,690, showing Harrison residents pay closer to typical U.S. levels.

Harrison sits just below Iowa's average rate

At 1.339%, Harrison's effective rate trails Iowa's average of 1.344% by a fraction, making it essentially aligned with the state norm. The median property tax of $2,214 falls modestly below Iowa's average of $2,160, reflecting Harrison's slightly higher home values and competitive positioning.

Mid-range taxes in its regional peer group

Harrison's 1.339% rate places it between the lower-taxed Hancock (1.192%) and Howard (1.302%), and below Henry (1.611%), making it moderate within the region. With a median home value of $165,300, Harrison combines reasonable tax rates with stronger property values than most neighbors.

A $165,300 median home runs $2,214 yearly

Harrison County homeowners with the median-valued property of $165,300 pay roughly $2,214 in annual property taxes. This is one of the higher median tax bills among the eight-county group, though rates remain reasonable relative to home values.

Reassessment appeals may unlock savings

Harrison homeowners should periodically verify their assessed value against recent sales of similar homes in the county. If your assessment appears inflated, filing an appeal could reduce your tax liability and free up funds for maintenance or improvements.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harrison County

via IncomeByCounty

Harrison Tops National Household Income

Harrison County's median household income of $77,027 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $2,272, placing it among the stronger-earning counties nationwide. This achievement is notable for a rural Iowa county and reflects a diversified, resilient local economy.

One of Iowa's Top Earners

At $77,027, Harrison County ranks in Iowa's upper tier, outearning the state average of $69,830 by $7,197. This leadership position within Iowa underscores the county's economic strength and competitive advantage within the state.

Regional Leader in Household Earnings

Harrison County significantly outearns all neighboring counties in its region—Hancock ($70,212), Hardin ($64,906), and Henry ($64,604)—by $2,000 to $12,000 per household. This income advantage positions Harrison as the economic anchor of north-central Iowa.

Strong Income Supports Housing Goals

Harrison County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio is well below affordability thresholds, leaving households substantial income after housing costs. With a median home value of $165,300 and strong household earnings, residents enjoy genuine financial flexibility.

Leverage Superior Income for Growth

Harrison County's $77,027 median household income—above national norms—creates genuine opportunity to invest beyond basic needs. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying investments, or exploring real estate opportunities to accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Harrison County

via CrimeByCounty

Harrison County is Exceptionally Safe

Harrison County earns an elite safety score of 99.3, placing it well above national benchmarks. The total crime rate of 437.7 per 100K is roughly five times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

A Leader in Iowa Public Safety

The county outperforms the Iowa state safety score average of 98.3 with its own 99.3 rating. Its total crime rate of 437.7 per 100K is significantly lower than the state average of 1,095.3.

Safer Than Nearby Regional Centers

Harrison County's crime rate of 437.7 per 100K is lower than neighbors like Pottawattamie County to the south. It maintains a peaceful profile even when compared to the statewide average of 1,095.3.

Rare Violent Crime and Low Theft

Violent crime is rare here, occurring at a rate of 123.1 per 100K compared to the national 369.8. Property crime is also minimal at 314.6 per 100K, far below the national rate of 2,015.7.

Maintaining Safety in Harrison County

Despite the high 99.3 safety score, residents should still practice basic home security. Simple measures help keep the already low property crime rate of 314.6 per 100K from rising.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Harrison County

via WeatherByCounty

Western Iowa’s Warm and Wet Climate

Harrison County averages 48.6°F annually, keeping it warmer than many of its northern peers but still below the national median. Its humid continental climate is characterized by significant precipitation, totaling 37.1 inches per year.

Above the Iowa Temperature Baseline

Harrison is warmer and wetter than the average Iowa county, exceeding the state’s 48.0°F temperature and 36.1-inch precipitation marks. This makes it one of the more productive but humid agricultural zones in the region.

Hotter Than Central Neighbors

Compared to Ida County at 47.1°F, Harrison is significantly warmer and faces nearly double the number of extreme heat days. Its 25 days above 90°F set it apart from the cooler counties found further east and north.

Intense Summer Heat and Heavy Snow

July brings a warm average of 74.3°F and 25 days of extreme heat reaching at least 90°F. Despite the summer warmth, winters remain snowy with 37.1 inches of annual snowfall and a January average of 19.7°F.

Engineered for Extreme Peaks

Robust cooling systems are essential here given the high frequency of 90°F days. Residents must also maintain heavy-duty snow equipment to manage the 37.1 inches of annual accumulation that arrives during the winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Harrison County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Soils Dominate the West

Harrison County averages a soil pH of 7.12, making it noticeably more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. This pH level is significantly higher than the Iowa state average of 6.43. Although taxonomic details are not currently specified, this alkaline profile influences which nutrients are most available to plants.

Silt-Dominant Loess-Like Soils

The soil contains a heavy 59.2% silt and 25.2% clay, with only 15.6% sand. This composition is typical of the Loess Hills region, offering a fine-textured soil that holds onto moisture exceptionally well. It is highly productive but can be prone to erosion if left uncovered.

High Water Storage Despite Lower Organic Matter

Organic matter sits at 2.66%, which is below the Iowa average of 3.81% but still above the national average of 2.0%. Despite lower organic levels, the available water capacity is high at 0.200 in/in. This allows the soil to act as a deep reservoir for crops during dry spells.

Hydrology in the Loess Hills

Specific drainage and hydrologic group classifications are not provided in the current dataset. However, the silt-heavy nature of these soils often means they drain slowly and require careful management to prevent runoff. The overall soil score of 63.7 reflects these unique regional challenges.

Thriving in Zone 5b Soils

Hardiness Zone 5b allows for a slightly longer growing season, making these silty soils great for deep-rooted perennials and grains. Because the pH is over 7.0, you might choose plants that tolerate alkaline conditions, like asparagus or lavender. Adding compost can help improve the organic matter and boost your garden's health.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Harrison County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Western Iowa's Lawn Challenges

Harrison County presents a slightly tougher environment with a lawn score of 75.9, falling just below the state average of 77.2. While still much easier than the national median of 50.0, the Zone 5b climate requires more active management.

Higher Heat Demands Extra Care

Lawns here face 25 extreme heat days annually, significantly higher than the Iowa average of 16. While the 37.1 inches of rain is sufficient, the 3,139 growing degree days mean grass grows fast and requires frequent mowing during peak season.

Managing Alkaline Silt and Clay

The soil pH averages 7.12, which is slightly above the ideal range and may occasionally limit iron availability. With only 15.6% sand content, these heavier soils may suffer from compaction, making annual aeration a helpful practice for local yards.

Bracing for Dry Summer Winds

About 26.6% of the county currently feels abnormally dry after seeing 4 weeks of drought this past year. To protect your lawn during those 25 heat days, maintain a higher mowing height of 3.5 to 4 inches to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.

Resilient Grass for Warm Days

Heat-tolerant Tall Fescue is an excellent choice for Harrison County's warmer summers and Zone 5b winters. Plan your spring seeding after May 1, but keep an eye on the thermometer to ensure young grass survives the early summer heat spikes.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harrison County's county score?
Harrison County, Iowa has a composite county score of 59.1 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 Harrison County rank among counties in Iowa?
Harrison County ranks #46 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 Harrison County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Harrison County is $2,325, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Harrison County a tax score of 17.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Harrison County?
The median household income in Harrison County, Iowa is $79,535 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Harrison County earns an income score of 80.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Harrison County, Iowa a good place to live?
Harrison County scores 59.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Harrison 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 Harrison 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.