CountyScore

Izard County

Arkansas · AR

#22 in Arkansas
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Izard County, Arkansas

Well above the national middle

Izard County scores 71.9 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it 44 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This means the county outperforms nearly two-thirds of U.S. counties on overall livability factors measured across tax burden, housing affordability, income, health, and risk.

Slightly above Arkansas average

With a score of 71.9, Izard County ranks just above Arkansas's state average of 70.3, placing it in the top third of the state's counties. This solid regional performance reflects consistent livability across multiple dimensions.

Tax-friendly and deeply affordable

Izard County excels in tax burden and housing affordability, scoring 85.8 and 88.7 respectively, with an effective tax rate of just 0.585%. Median home values of $122,100 and median rent of $626 per month make this county one of Arkansas's most cost-conscious places to live.

Income and risk need attention

The county's income score of 14.6 reflects a median household income of $47,728, which lags significantly behind state and national averages. Additionally, the risk score of 46.9 suggests moderate exposure to natural or economic vulnerabilities that residents should monitor.

Ideal for budget-conscious retirees

Izard County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. The combination of modest income levels and strong affordability makes it an attractive option for those living on fixed incomes or seeking a lower cost of living in the rural South.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.8Cost88.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.6Risk46.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.9
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 Izard County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121
Adams County
Iowa
71.9
Median income: $68,828

Deep Dives

Izard County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Izard County

via TaxByCounty

Izard's taxes are a fraction of the nation's

Homeowners in Izard County pay an effective property tax rate of 0.585%, well below the national median of 0.72%. This places Izard in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties by tax burden, meaning residents enjoy some of the lowest property tax rates in the country.

Izard ranks above the Arkansas average

At 0.585%, Izard's effective tax rate sits slightly above Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, making it a moderate-tax county within the state. Among Arkansas's 75 counties, Izard falls in the upper-middle range for tax rates.

Izard taxes slightly higher than region peers

Compared to neighboring counties, Izard's 0.585% rate exceeds Lawrence County's 0.488% but remains competitive with Johnson County's 0.566%. Regional variation is modest, with rates clustering between 0.49% and 0.63% across the Ozark foothills.

Median home tax bill: $714 annually

On Izard's median home value of $122,100, the typical homeowner pays $714 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, factoring in escrow and insurance adjustments, that figure rises to approximately $808.

Challenge your assessment and save

Many Arkansas homeowners are assessed above fair market value and never know it. If you believe your home's assessment is too high, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office is free and can result in significant tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Izard County

via CostByCounty

Izard rents rank better than national average

At 15.7%, Izard County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national benchmark, giving renters more breathing room in their budgets. Median gross rent of $626 per month is considerably lower than what renters pay across the country, making housing more accessible despite incomes running 36% below the national median of $74,755.

One of Arkansas's most affordable counties

Izard County ranks among the state's most affordable places, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% compared to Arkansas's 18.1% average. This advantage reflects both modest rental costs ($626 vs. the state median of $760) and relatively stable household incomes for the region.

Cheaper rents than similar counties

Izard County's $626 monthly rent undercuts nearby Johnson County ($714) and Lawrence County ($715), making it a rental bargain in northeast Arkansas. Median home values of $122,100 are competitive with neighboring counties, offering stability for buyers seeking affordable entry points.

Housing takes reasonable slice of income

With median household income at $47,728, Izard residents spend roughly 15.7% on rent and 14.3% on mortgage costs, well within sustainable ranges. Combined, housing consumes less than 30% of household income for most residents, leaving room for other necessities and savings.

Consider Izard for balanced affordability

If you're relocating to Arkansas and prioritize low housing costs without sacrificing homeownership prospects, Izard County delivers both affordable rents and moderately valued homes. The county's favorable rent-to-income ratio compared to state and national averages makes it worth serious consideration for budget-conscious movers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Izard County

via IncomeByCounty

Izard trails US income by 36%

At $47,728, Izard County's median household income falls nearly 36% below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects broader economic challenges across rural Arkansas, though Izard performs slightly above the state average of $51,156, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Arkansas counties.

Middle ground among Arkansas counties

Izard ranks around the middle of Arkansas's 75 counties by household income, outearning the state average by about $3,600 annually. The county's per capita income of $24,443 sits slightly below the state average of $28,096, indicating some income concentration among fewer earners.

Better off than eastern neighbors

Izard's $47,728 median income outpaces Jackson County ($41,215) and Lawrence County ($44,164), but trails Jefferson County's $48,552. Among its peer rural counties, Izard sits in the stronger position, suggesting more stable wage opportunities in this part of the state.

Housing costs remain manageable

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.7%, Izard households spend a healthy portion of earnings on housing—below the 20% threshold that experts consider problematic. At $122,100, the median home value is within reach for median-income households, making homeownership more accessible than in many neighboring counties.

Build long-term security in Izard

Izard's manageable housing costs create opportunity: households can direct savings toward retirement accounts, emergency funds, and investments. Starting with an employer 401(k) or opening an IRA now compounds significantly over decades, turning modest annual savings into substantial wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Izard County

via HealthByCounty

Izard outlives the nation

At 73.7 years, Izard County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though the gap reflects broader rural health challenges. Just 22.9% report poor or fair health, beating the national rate of roughly 18%—a sign of surprising resilience in this rural Ozark community.

Among Arkansas's healthier counties

Izard County's 73.7-year life expectancy edges above Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years, placing it in the upper tier of county health outcomes statewide. The county's 22.9% poor/fair health rate is better than the state median, suggesting relatively strong population health management.

Stronger than rural peers

Izard's 73.7-year life expectancy outpaces neighboring Johnson County (73.4) and significantly exceeds Lee County (68.9), the region's lowest. With 29 primary care providers per 100K and 85 mental health providers per 100K, Izard has modest but functional healthcare infrastructure compared to isolated rural neighbors.

Modest gaps in coverage

At 10.3% uninsured, Izard County runs slightly above the state average of 9.9%, meaning roughly 1 in 10 residents lack health insurance. The county's 29 primary care providers per 100K population means some residents travel distances for routine care, though mental health services at 85 per 100K offer reasonable local access.

Check your coverage options today

With one in ten Izard residents uninsured, enrollment in the state marketplace or Medicaid expansion could close critical gaps. Visit Arkansas's healthcare portal to explore plans that fit your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Izard County

via RiskByCounty

Izard ranks below national average

Izard County's composite risk score of 53.09 places it in the Relatively Low category, sitting slightly below Arkansas's state average of 55.51. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than the typical American county, though certain hazards warrant attention.

Mid-range risk among Arkansas counties

Izard County ranks in the middle tier of Arkansas's 75 counties for overall disaster risk. While safer than high-risk counties like Jefferson and Jackson, it experiences notably higher earthquake and wildfire risks than some of its western neighbors.

Safer than Jackson, riskier than Lafayette

Izard's 53.09 score sits between Lafayette County's very low 33.24 and Jackson County's 67.84. Johnson County to the west shares similar overall risk at 58.14, but Izard's earthquake exposure of 80.18 exceeds most regional peers.

Earthquakes and wildfires top the list

Izard residents face an earthquake risk score of 80.18, the county's highest hazard exposure, followed by wildfire risk at 62.05. Tornado risk at 59.61 also exceeds the state average, making severe weather preparedness essential year-round.

Secure earthquake and wildfire coverage

Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquake or wildfire damage—you need separate policies. Izard homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 80.18 risk score and consider wildfire coverage if you're near forested areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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