CountyScore

Iron County

Utah · UT

#20 in Utah
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Iron County, Utah

Iron ranks near the national middle

Iron County's composite score of 70.1 places it at approximately the 40th percentile nationally, just below the national median of 50.0. The county shows moderate livability with solid tax and health fundamentals but faces headwinds in risk factors.

Slightly below Utah average

At 70.1, Iron County trails Utah's state average of 72.1, placing it in the middle range of Utah counties. The gap reflects specific vulnerabilities that offset its tax and health strengths.

Low taxes, solid health outcomes

Iron County's Tax Score of 90.4 (effective rate 0.421%) and Health Score of 72.6 provide a strong foundation for daily living. Median household income of $65,527 is respectable, supported by reasonable housing costs with a Cost Score of 72.0.

High-risk environment is the weak link

The county's Risk Score of just 38.6 is its critical vulnerability, indicating significant environmental or natural hazard exposure. This low score substantially drags down the overall livability assessment and warrants consideration by risk-sensitive households.

Suitable for risk-tolerant budget seekers

Iron County works best for resilient families and individuals comfortable with environmental or natural hazards in exchange for low taxes and reasonable costs. It suits those prioritizing financial stability over maximum safety assurance.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.4Cost72SafetyComing SoonHealth72.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.2Risk38.6WaterComing Soon
🏛90.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.6
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 Iron County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Arkansas
70.1
Median income: $55,979
Montgomery County
Georgia
70.1
Median income: $51,188
Madison County
Idaho
70.1
Median income: $58,259
Chase County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $54,518
Norton County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $50,305

Deep Dives

Iron County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Iron County

via TaxByCounty

Iron County taxes far below national median

Iron County's effective tax rate of 0.421% sits well below the national median of 0.535%. The median property tax of $1,444 is less than 54% of the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes across Utah

Iron County's 0.421% effective rate falls short of Utah's 0.498% state average, ranking it among the more tax-friendly counties statewide. The median tax bill of $1,444 is $371 below the state median of $1,815.

Similar to Kane, higher than Piute

Iron County's 0.421% rate closely matches Kane County (0.419%) and exceeds Piute County (0.431%) slightly. Median home values differ by county, but Iron sits in the middle of the regional range at $342,900.

Median home pays $1,444 annually

The typical Iron County home valued at $342,900 carries an annual tax bill of $1,444. This payment is nearly identical whether the home carries a mortgage ($1,431) or is owned free and clear ($1,473).

Check your assessment for accuracy

Many Iron County homeowners don't realize their property may be overassessed relative to comparable sales. A free assessment appeal can identify whether you're paying more than you should.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Iron County

via CostByCounty

Iron County rents above U.S. average

Iron County's 18.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, placing renters here in a tighter squeeze than typical Americans. With median rent at $1,008 per month against a median household income of $65,527, housing costs consume a meaningful chunk of local paychecks.

Above-average affordability pressure in Utah

Iron County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% sits above Utah's state average of 16.6%, ranking it among the less affordable counties for renters. The median rent of $1,008 approaches the state median, despite household incomes below the state norm.

More expensive than Garfield and Millard

Iron County's $1,008 rent exceeds nearby Garfield ($781) and Millard ($897), reflecting Cedar City's growth as a regional hub. However, median home values ($342,900) are lower than Grand County's ($480,900), offering better homebuying prospects despite rental pressures.

Renting takes a bigger bite than buying

Renters allocate 18.5% of the $65,527 median income to rent ($1,008/month), while homeowners dedicate 21.8% to mortgage costs ($1,189/month). Iron County presents a paradox: homeownership costs more, yet rents already strain household budgets significantly.

Cedar City area costs rising

Iron County's growing housing expenses warrant close comparison with more affordable neighbors like Garfield and Millard if you're relocating to the region. Consider whether Cedar City's amenities justify higher housing costs relative to smaller surrounding communities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iron County

via IncomeByCounty

Iron County's income slightly lags

Iron County's median household income of $65,527 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 12.3%, placing it in the middle-to-lower range nationally. The county represents a moderate rural income profile for the Mountain West.

Mid-range for Utah

Iron's $65,527 median sits 18.2% below Utah's state average of $80,176, putting it solidly in the lower-to-middle tier of Utah counties. The per capita income of $28,886 is below the state average of $35,055, suggesting less concentrated wealth than in some peer counties.

Middle ground in the south

Iron County earns more than Piute ($44,650) and Garfield ($61,688) but less than Kane ($75,000) and Grand ($62,521). It represents the income midpoint among Utah's rural southern tier.

Rent eats 18.5% of income

Iron's rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% stays below the 30% affordability threshold, offering residents reasonable housing flexibility. A median home value of $342,900 is moderate relative to the county's income level.

Leverage modest housing costs

Iron residents spend less than one-fifth of income on rent, leaving room to invest in retirement or build home equity. Even modest monthly contributions to an IRA or employer 401(k) can accumulate significantly over a working lifetime.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Iron County

via HealthByCounty

Iron County above U.S. life expectancy

Iron County residents live to 78.3 years on average, slightly above the national average of 78.9 years, placing it in the healthier half of American counties. The 15.3% poor or fair health rate is well below many rural areas, signaling effective disease management.

Mid-tier health outcomes for Utah

Iron County's 78.3-year life expectancy ranks in the upper middle tier of Utah counties, surpassing the state average of 77.9 years by about four months. The county's 15.3% poor health rate is among Utah's better-performing counties for self-reported health status.

Competitive with Garfield and Kane

Iron County's 78.3-year life expectancy matches Kane County and exceeds Garfield County's 77.6 years, though it trails Grand County's exceptional 80.3 years. Iron's primary care access of 33 per 100K is tight compared to neighbors, but mental health services at 305 per 100K are robust.

Modest insurance gaps and tight primary care

Iron County's uninsured rate of 11.2% tops Utah's average of 10.2%, reflecting regional affordability challenges and rural access barriers. Primary care is constrained at 33 providers per 100K, meaning residents may travel significant distances for routine check-ups or early treatment of emerging health concerns.

Insurance is the first step to care

With one in nine Iron residents uninsured and primary care scarce, securing coverage becomes even more critical to overcome geographic and provider barriers. Health insurance connects you to the primary care network and ensures preventive screenings happen before problems become emergencies.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Iron County

via RiskByCounty

Iron County faces above-average disaster risk

Iron County's composite risk score of 61.42 earns a Relatively Low rating but sits 25 points above Utah's state average of 36.19. This southwestern county experiences greater overall hazard exposure than most of its state counterparts.

Third-highest risk county in Utah

Iron County ranks in the top tier of Utah's 29 counties for natural disaster exposure, exceeded only by a handful of municipalities. Its 61.42 score reflects significant vulnerability to multiple hazard types across its geography.

Highest risk in the southwestern corner

Iron County's 61.42 exceeds all nearby counties, including Garfield (37.63) to the east, Kane (39.66) to the southeast, and Washington County to the west. This positioning makes Iron the riskiest county in its entire region.

Extreme wildfire and earthquake threats

Wildfire risk soars to 97.74—the highest in the state—making brush fires the dominant hazard in Iron County. Earthquake risk of 86.83 adds significant secondary exposure, both stemming from the county's location along active tectonic zones and in a fire-prone climate.

Essential: wildfire and earthquake insurance

Iron County residents face severe exposure to both wildfires and earthquakes, neither covered by standard homeowners policies. Securing comprehensive wildfire and earthquake insurance, combined with aggressive defensible-space maintenance and emergency preparedness, is critical for protection.

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.