CountyScore

Iowa County

Iowa · IA

#43 in Iowa
70.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Iowa County, Iowa

Iowa County exceeds national expectations

Iowa County's composite score of 70.8 ranks 42 percentiles above the national median of 50.0, confirming its position as a livable Midwestern community. This solid score reflects balanced strengths in health, income, and moderate costs.

Third-strongest Iowa county in the group

At 70.8, Iowa County ranks above the state average of 69.3 and places third among the eight profiled counties, behind Ida and Howard. It offers a compelling blend of income potential and livability.

Health and income lead the scorecard

Iowa County scores 80.1 on health—the highest in this group—indicating excellent medical access and outcomes. The income score of 30.5 with median household earnings of $72,185 is also among the strongest, offering better long-term financial potential.

Housing costs premium reflects higher values

With a cost score of 78.5 and median home values of $189,800, Iowa County is pricier than most peers, though the high income score helps offset this. Families must earn well to comfortably afford housing here.

Best for professionals valuing health care

Iowa County suits professionals and established families with solid incomes who prioritize excellent health outcomes and don't need the cheapest housing. If you earn above-average income and value access to top-tier health services, Iowa County delivers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.3Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth80.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.5Risk71.8WaterComing Soon
🏛64.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.8
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 Iowa County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Covington County
Alabama
70.8
Median income: $50,886
Conway County
Arkansas
70.8
Median income: $51,212
Chaffee County
Colorado
70.8
Median income: $70,909
Union County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $65,697
Warren County
Georgia
70.8
Median income: $46,776

Deep Dives

Iowa County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Iowa County

via TaxByCounty

Iowa County's rate aligns with national patterns

Iowa County's effective tax rate of 1.349% moderately exceeds the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the mainstream nationally. The median property tax of $2,560 represents 95% of the national median of $2,690, making Iowa County one of the closest to typical U.S. property tax burdens in this group.

Iowa County slightly exceeds the state average rate

At 1.349%, Iowa County's effective rate marginally trails Iowa's average of 1.344%, making it essentially aligned with statewide norms. The median property tax of $2,560 exceeds Iowa's average of $2,160 by about $400, reflecting Iowa County's higher home values.

Higher taxes offset by stronger home values

Iowa County's 1.349% rate is higher than five of its eight-county peers, exceeded only by Henry (1.611%) and Hardin (1.427%). However, with a median home value of $189,800, Iowa County boasts the strongest property values in the group, justifying its modest tax premium.

A $189,800 median home costs $2,560 yearly

Iowa County homeowners with the median-valued property of $189,800 pay roughly $2,560 in annual property taxes, the second-highest median bill among the eight counties. Over three decades, this amounts to more than $76,800 in cumulative tax payments.

Challenge overassessments to cut your bill

Iowa County homeowners with higher-value properties should closely monitor their assessments, as overvaluation becomes especially costly at elevated price points. Comparing your assessed value to recent comparable sales can identify appeal opportunities worth hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iowa County

via CostByCounty

Iowa County renters get great deals

Iowa County renters spend just 12.0% of income on housing, among the nation's best affordability rates and well below national averages. With a median household income of $72,185 and median rent of $722, this county delivers solid financial flexibility for working families.

Best renter affordability in Iowa

At 12.0%, Iowa County's rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all eight counties analyzed and significantly below Iowa's 14.1% state average. The $722 median rent is just $90 below the state average, making renters here particularly well-positioned.

Excellence in renting, premium in buying

Iowa County's $722 rent ranks second-cheapest regionally behind Ida, yet its $189,800 median home value is the highest, reflecting a county of renters and affluent owners. The $1,121 monthly mortgage is steep, suggesting this county suits renters more than stretched homebuyers.

Renters enjoy luxury; buyers pay premium

Iowa County's $72,185 median income makes the $722 rent a comfortable 12.0%, but homebuyers face a challenging 18.6% with $1,121 monthly costs. This county's strength lies in renting, not ownership, marking it as unusual in Iowa's affordability landscape.

Ideal if you plan to rent long-term

Iowa County is perfect for renters seeking excellent affordability and likely for professionals with higher incomes considering eventual purchase. If you're relocating without plans to buy immediately, this county offers some of Iowa's best rental economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iowa County

via IncomeByCounty

Iowa County Approaches National Income Norms

Iowa County's median household income of $72,185 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $2,570, positioning it among the stronger-earning counties in this group. This near-parity with national averages reflects a solid, stable local economy.

Well Above Iowa's State Average

At $72,185, Iowa County exceeds the state median of $69,830 by $2,355, ranking it in Iowa's upper-middle tier among the state's 99 counties. The county's economic performance outpaces the state baseline.

Second-Strongest Regional Performer

Iowa County's $72,185 median income trails only Harrison County ($77,027) in this cluster and substantially outearns peers like Hancock ($70,212), Howard ($67,336), and Hardin ($64,906). This strong positioning reflects competitive local assets.

Best Affordability Ratio in the Group

Iowa County's 12.0% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties, reflecting exceptional housing affordability despite a median home value of $189,800—the highest in the group. Residents enjoy significant financial flexibility after housing costs.

Maximize Earning Potential With Margin

Iowa County's combination of strong household income ($72,185) and outstanding affordability (12.0% ratio) creates an ideal environment for wealth accumulation. Aggressive saving and diversified investing can significantly accelerate your path to long-term financial goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Iowa County

via HealthByCounty

Iowa County leads the nation

At 78.1 years, Iowa County residents live 1.7 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The county's 13.8% poor or fair health rate ranks among America's best, significantly outperforming the national average of 18%.

Healthiest county in this group

Iowa County leads all eight counties with a life expectancy of 78.1 years and the lowest poor/fair health rate at 13.8%—well above Iowa's 77.7-year state average. The county represents a model of excellent population health outcomes.

Superior health across all measures

Iowa County's 78.1-year life expectancy and 13.8% poor/fair health rate outpace all regional neighbors, including Hancock (78.6 years) and Humboldt (78.2 years). Both metrics suggest Iowa County has cracked the code on sustained community health.

Best coverage and provider access

Iowa County leads with just 4.4% uninsured—the lowest rate in the group and well below Iowa's 5.7% average. Primary care access is exceptional at 60 providers per 100,000, matched by outstanding mental health capacity at 110 per 100,000—creating ideal conditions for comprehensive care.

Iowa County: sustain excellence

Iowa County's exceptional health outcomes reflect strong insurance coverage and provider access—continue this momentum. Keep coverage current at healthcare.gov and leverage the county's robust mental health and primary care resources for preventive and comprehensive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iowa County

via RiskByCounty

Iowa County: Low Risk, Moderate Wildfire

Iowa County's composite risk score of 28.24 sits in the Very Low category and below Iowa's state average of 39.68. The county's profile reflects generally modest hazard exposure, though wildfire risk stands notably elevated for the region.

Safe Overall With Fire Concerns

Iowa County ranks safely within the state's natural disaster landscape, but its wildfire score of 61.13 significantly exceeds the state average. This high fire risk is unusual for the county's agricultural region and merits specific attention.

Wildfire Risk Stands Out

Iowa County's neighbors Hancock (6.58 wildfire), Howard (9.26), and Humboldt (5.06) face far lower fire risks, making Iowa's 61.13 score a regional outlier. Only Harrison County (59.80) approaches Iowa's fire exposure, suggesting certain landscape characteristics drive elevated wildfire vulnerability in this micro-region.

Wildfire and Tornado Risks Peak

Wildfire (61.13) and tornado (59.89) risks are Iowa County's primary hazards, both scoring well above state averages. Flood (32.60) and earthquake (26.21) risks are secondary but notable, while hurricane exposure remains minimal.

Prioritize Fire and Storm Coverage

Iowa County residents must ensure comprehensive homeowners coverage for both fire and wind damage, given the county's elevated wildfire and tornado exposure. Clear vegetation near structures, maintain defensible space, develop a family evacuation plan, and keep important documents in a fireproof safe.

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.