Jasper County

Iowa · IA

#65 in Iowa
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Jasper County, Iowa

Jasper County outpaces national norms

Jasper County's composite score of 68.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This 37% advantage demonstrates solid fundamentals across housing costs, health, and taxes that benefit most residents.

Slightly below Iowa's state average

Jasper County scores 68.6, just 0.7 points below Iowa's state average of 69.3, putting it in the middle-upper tier statewide. It performs competitively among Iowa counties, though several neighbors score slightly higher on the composite index.

Health outcomes stand out most

Jasper County's health score of 79.6 ranks among the strongest dimensions in the county and exceeds most Iowa peers. Combined with an affordable cost score of 78.2 and median home values near $177,000, the county offers residents both wellness and financial accessibility.

Income and risk warrant attention

The income score of 29.2 reflects a median household income of $70,128, limiting wealth-building opportunities compared to wealthier counties. Risk management also scores lower at 56.3, suggesting residents should evaluate economic resilience factors in their personal planning.

Strong fit for health-conscious, budget-minded settlers

Jasper County appeals to families and individuals who value community health resources and want to stretch their housing dollars. Its middle-of-the-road income profile and solid tax burden make it especially suitable for those seeking stability over rapid wealth accumulation.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.2Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth79.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk56.3WaterComing Soon
🏛62.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
79.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
56.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Jasper County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jasper County

via TaxByCounty

Jasper County taxes: slightly below national

Jasper County's effective tax rate of 1.424% edges below the national median, offering homeowners modest tax relief compared to the rest of the country. The median property tax of $2,518 falls $172 short of the national median of $2,690, despite homes being valued 37% lower than the national average.

Above average for Iowa

Jasper County ranks in the upper third of Iowa's 99 counties with an effective rate of 1.424%, noticeably higher than the state average of 1.344%. The county's median tax bill of $2,518 exceeds Iowa's state median of $2,160 by $358 annually.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Jasper County's 1.424% rate is notably higher than Jackson County (1.252%), Jones County (1.298%), and Kossuth County (1.064%) in the surrounding region. Only Jefferson County (1.487%) among nearby peers carries a heavier tax burden.

What $176,800 home costs annually

On Jasper County's median home value of $176,800, you'll pay approximately $2,518 annually in property taxes. With mortgage escrow, the bill climbs to about $2,551, making property taxes a significant recurring expense for homeowners.

You might be overpaying on taxes

Many Iowa homeowners are assessed above fair market value and don't realize they can appeal their assessments. If you believe your home's valuation is too high, a formal appeal could reduce your tax burden significantly—it's free to file.

Cost of Living in Jasper County

via CostByCounty

Jasper renters match Iowa's affordability profile

Jasper County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% aligns perfectly with Iowa's state average, indicating typical affordability for the region. With median household income at $70,128—slightly below the national average of $74,755—residents manage rental costs in line with most American counties.

Right at Iowa's middle ground

Jasper County's 14.1% rent-to-income ratio places it directly at the state average, neither notably affordable nor burdensome compared to other Iowa counties. The $822 monthly rent sits just $10 above the state median, confirming Jasper's role as a barometer for statewide housing costs.

Jasper balances affordability with modest housing costs

At $822 monthly rent, Jasper sits between more affordable neighbors (Jones at $759) and higher-cost counties (Johnson at $1,104). The 14.1% ratio reflects a middle-market position—renters don't enjoy the lowest rents nearby, but costs remain reasonable relative to regional incomes.

Jasper's housing breakdown reveals balanced load

Renters dedicate $822 monthly (14.1% of income) while homeowners spend $1,012—both moderate for a median household income of $70,128. The modest gap between rent and ownership costs suggests that moving from renting to buying is financially feasible for many Jasper households.

Jasper offers Iowa's typical housing value

If you want a representative Iowa county experience, Jasper delivers average rents and ownership costs without surprises. Compare it to Jackson County (slightly cheaper rents and better ratios) or Jones County (the region's most affordable option) to find your housing sweet spot.

Income & Jobs in Jasper County

via IncomeByCounty

Jasper slightly trails national median

Jasper County's median household income of $70,128 falls about $4,627 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing 94% of national household earnings. While below the national average, Jasper remains comfortably in the middle class across America.

Outpaces most Iowa counties

Jasper County's $70,128 income exceeds Iowa's statewide median of $69,830 by $298, placing it just above the state average. This modest advantage reflects Jasper's solid economic standing within Iowa's broader county network.

Leads several regional counties

Jasper outearns Jefferson County ($56,824) by 23% and Keokuk ($60,856) by 15%, though it lags slightly behind Jones ($73,071) and Jackson ($71,605). The county represents a mid-tier income area in its five-county region.

Rental costs rise slightly

Jasper's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% means housing absorbs roughly one-seventh of median income, remaining below the 30% affordability ceiling. At $176,800 for median home value, homeownership is attainable for households near the county median.

Strengthen your financial future

Jasper County households should prioritize emergency savings equal to three to six months of expenses, then move surplus income into diversified investments. With rent-to-income ratios manageable, homebuying and retirement account contributions become realistic wealth-building strategies.

Health in Jasper County

via HealthByCounty

Jasper County matches national health averages

Jasper County's 77.9-year life expectancy outpaces the U.S. average of 76.4 years, reflecting a healthier-than-average population. The county's 13.8% poor or fair health rate significantly beats the national average of 18%, indicating residents enjoy relatively strong self-reported wellness.

Among Iowa's healthiest counties

At 77.9 years, Jasper County exceeds Iowa's state average life expectancy of 77.7 years, placing it in the top tier. Its 13.8% poor or fair health rate is the best we've seen, outperforming nearly all neighboring counties in reported health status.

Leads regional health outcomes

Jasper County's 13.8% poor or fair health rate ranks it as one of the healthiest in this region—better than Jackson County's 16.3% and well ahead of Jefferson County's 17.0%. Its provider density of 40 primary care and 116 mental health professionals per 100K supports accessible local care.

Low uninsured rate protects health

Just 4.8% of Jasper County residents are uninsured, the lowest among Iowa counties profiled here and significantly below the state average of 5.7%. With 40 primary care providers per 100K, residents have reasonable access to preventive and routine care.

Maintain insurance for future health

Jasper County's strong insurance coverage shows what's possible when residents prioritize health access. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health office to verify your coverage and explore options that keep you protected year-round.

Disaster Risk in Jasper County

via RiskByCounty

Jasper County faces elevated tornado risk nationally

Jasper County's composite risk score of 43.67 exceeds the national average of 39.68, earning a relatively low risk rating. The county's tornado risk of 70.29 stands as a notable concern compared to national exposure levels.

Above-average risk within Iowa's county rankings

Jasper County scores 43.67, topping the state average of 39.68 and positioning it in the upper-middle tier of Iowa counties. Tornado risk particularly stands out at 70.29, reflecting heightened exposure to severe spring weather.

Higher tornado exposure than nearby counties

Jasper County's composite score of 43.67 exceeds neighboring Jackson County (36.07) and Jones County (32.67) by notable margins. The county's tornado risk of 70.29 is substantially higher than both adjacent areas, indicating concentrated severe weather vulnerability.

Tornadoes dominate hazard landscape here

Tornado risk scores 70.29 in Jasper County, making it the primary natural disaster threat—far exceeding wildfire risk at 53.09. Residents face seasonal tornado seasons with intensity well above county averages for other hazard types.

Prioritize tornado and severe storm protection

With tornado risk at 70.29, homeowners must secure robust wind, hail, and storm damage coverage as top insurance priorities. Consider reinforcing your home's structural integrity and maintaining an accessible, well-stocked safe room for severe weather events.

ByCounty Network

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