countyscore
40.4
County Score
Health 90.4Income & Jobs 78.1Lawn Care 75.6

County Report Card

About Linn County, Iowa

Falling Behind the National Median

Linn County earns a composite score of 40.6, which sits nearly 10 points below the national median of 50.0. This score places the county in a lower percentile for overall livability compared to U.S. peers.

Trailing the Iowa Average

The county's overall performance lags behind the Iowa state average of 55.6. While it serves as a major regional hub, it ranks lower than many of its rural and suburban counterparts.

Elite Healthcare and High Incomes

Linn County shines with a Health Score of 90.4 and a strong Income Score of 79.2. Residents enjoy a median household income of $76,421, providing significant financial stability for many families.

High Tax Burden and Safety Concerns

A low Tax Score of 8.0 reflects a high effective tax rate of 1.661%, placing pressure on household budgets. Additionally, both the Safety Score and Risk Score sit below 14, highlighting areas for community improvement.

A Hub for Health-Conscious Professionals

This county suits high-earning professionals who value top-tier medical facilities and urban amenities. Residents should be prepared to trade lower taxes for the high income potential found in Cedar Rapids.

20406080100727.913.890.46378.113.36950.8Tax7Cost27.9Safety13.8Health90.4Schools63Income78.1Risk13.3Water69Weather50.840.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Linn County DNA

Foverall

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

Linn County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (90.4/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
7-45
Cost
27.9-20.1
Safety
13.8-41.2
Health
90.4+40.400000000000006
Schools
63+9
Income
78.1+27.099999999999994
Risk
13.3-33.7
Water
69+11
Weather
50.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Linn County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$214,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$945/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$214,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $77,649/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.1

per 100K

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
Compare Linn County with Faulkner County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Faulkner County
Arkansas
Median income: $67,289
40.4
Dunklin County
Missouri
Median income: $47,849
40.4
Dawes County
Nebraska
Median income: $56,280
40.4
Chatham County
North Carolina
Median income: $94,317
40.4
Granville County
North Carolina
Median income: $71,111
40.4
Charlottesville city
Virginia
Median income: $74,824
40.4
Plumas County
California
Median income: $66,031
40.3
Larimer County
Colorado
Median income: $93,765
40.3

Nearby counties

Jones County
Iowa
59.7
Delaware County
Iowa
59.6
Benton County
Iowa
56.3
Buchanan County
Iowa
61.1
Cedar County
Iowa
57.6
Johnson County
Iowa
41.1
Iowa County
Iowa
57.2
Black Hawk County
Iowa
40.7

Deep Dives

Linn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Linn County

via TaxByCounty

Linn's taxes run high nationally

At 1.661%, Linn County's effective tax rate sits well above the national median of 1.099%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile across U.S. counties. The median annual property tax here is $3,396—26% higher than the national median of $2,690—even though the median home value of $204,400 is below the national median of $281,900.

Linn ranks among Iowa's highest

Linn County's 1.661% effective rate significantly exceeds Iowa's state average of 1.344%, making it one of the state's pricier counties for property taxes. The median tax bill of $3,396 is 57% higher than Iowa's average of $2,160, reflecting the county's relatively aggressive tax burden.

Linn tops its regional peers

Linn County's 1.661% rate outpaces neighboring Lucas (1.480%), Marshall (1.514%), and Madison (1.554%) counties, making it the highest-taxing county in its regional cluster. Only Marion County (1.292%) comes close in median home value, yet Linn residents pay $669 more annually in taxes.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Linn County homeowner with a median-valued house of $204,400 pays approximately $3,396 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages face slightly higher bills at $3,446, while those who own outright average $3,307 annually.

You may be paying too much

Many Linn County homeowners are overassessed relative to their property's true market value. Consider filing a property tax appeal with your county assessor if your home's assessed value seems out of line with recent sales in your neighborhood.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Linn County

via IncomeByCounty

Linn County earns above the national median

At $76,421, Linn County's median household income exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $1,666. This places the county in the upper tier of American income levels, though national rankings vary by methodology.

Among Iowa's strongest income counties

Linn County's median household income of $76,421 ranks well above Iowa's state average of $69,830, outpacing about two-thirds of the state's counties. The $6,591 gap reflects Linn's economic strength relative to its peers.

Linn leads its regional cohort

Linn County's $76,421 median income outpaces neighboring Lucas ($67,921) by $8,500 and Marshall County ($72,785) by $3,636. This regional advantage reflects Linn's larger industrial and healthcare base centered around Cedar Rapids.

Housing costs are manageable here

A 14.4% rent-to-income ratio means Linn County households spend just over one week's earnings on monthly rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold. With a median home value of $204,400, homeownership remains within reach for households earning the county median.

Build on Linn's income advantage

Linn County's above-average incomes create real opportunity for wealth building through homeownership and retirement savings. With housing costs consuming less than 15% of income, households here have more room to invest in long-term financial security than many peers.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Linn County

via CrimeByCounty

Linn County Safety Near National Average

Linn County records a total crime rate of 2,472.6 per 100K residents, slightly exceeding the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a strong safety score of 96.1 out of 100.

Crime Levels Above State Benchmarks

The county's crime rate is more than double the Iowa state average of 1,095.3 per 100K. Consequently, its safety score of 96.1 sits below the exceptionally high state average of 98.3.

A Higher Crime Profile Than Neighbors

With seven reporting agencies, Linn County shows a more active crime landscape than its rural neighbors. Its total crime rate of 2,472.6 is significantly higher than the quieter surrounding counties in eastern Iowa.

Property Crimes Drive Local Stats

Property crime accounts for the bulk of local incidents at 2,200.5 per 100K, which is higher than the national mark of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 272.1 remains well below the U.S. average of 369.8.

Securing Homes Against Property Theft

Since property crime is the primary concern here, residents should prioritize home security like smart doorbells and motion lighting. These simple deterrents are effective in areas with higher-than-average property incident rates.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Linn County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler than the national average

Linn County averages an annual temperature of 48.2°F, which is notably cooler than the national median. This humid continental climate features wide temperature swings between winter lows and summer highs.

Warmer than the Iowa average

At 48.2°F, Linn County sits just above the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. This makes it a mid-range county in terms of warmth compared to its 98 peers across the state.

A wetter climate than nearby neighbors

Linn receives 37.1 inches of annual precipitation, which is more than the state average of 36.1 inches. It experiences higher moisture levels than Marshall County to the west, which averages 35.9 inches.

Snowy winters and moderate heat

Winter temperatures average 22.9°F with 30.8 inches of annual snowfall. The summer months see 14 days where temperatures exceed 90°F, centering around a July average of 73.0°F.

Prepare for significant winter maintenance

Residents need high-capacity heating systems to manage January averages of 19.5°F. With over 30 inches of snow per year, reliable snow removal equipment is a household necessity.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Linn County

via SoilByCounty

Silt Loam Foundations in Linn County

Linn County features slightly acidic Alfisols with a pH of 6.31, coming in just below the national median of 6.5. This silt loam foundation represents a classic Midwestern profile built for diverse agriculture.

A Balanced Mix for Easy Management

The soil consists of 51.0% silt and 19.6% clay, providing a smooth texture that balances nutrient storage with easy workability. With 28.7% sand, these fields offer better aeration than many of their heavier clay neighbors.

Solid Organic Content for Steady Growth

Organic matter reaches 3.22%, which beats the national average of 2.0% but falls behind the Iowa state average of 3.81%. The available water capacity of 0.184 inches per inch means plants have a steady, if slightly below-average, reservoir during dry spells.

Efficient Drainage for Farming and Building

Classified as well-drained with a hydrologic group B rating, this soil moves water efficiently and resists ponding. These characteristics make the land ideal for both intensive farming and stable building foundations.

Thriving Gardens in Zone 5a

Situated in hardiness zone 5a, Linn County is perfect for cool-season vegetables like kale and hardy perennials. Start your garden today to take advantage of this reliable, high-performing silt loam.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Linn County

via LawnByCounty

Manageable Growing in Linn County

Linn County earns a 75.6 lawn difficulty score, making it significantly easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0. While it sits slightly below the Iowa state average of 77.2, its location in Hardiness Zone 5a supports a robust variety of cool-season grasses.

Consistent Rain and Mild Heat

With 37.1 inches of annual precipitation and 2,966 growing degree days, the environment stays well within the ideal range for turf. Homeowners manage only 14 extreme heat days per year, which is lower than the state average of 16 days.

Perfectly Balanced Silt Loam

The local silt loam soil features a 6.31 pH, fitting perfectly within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for nutrient uptake. Its well-drained structure and 19.6% clay content provide an excellent foundation that prevents root rot during wet spring months.

Navigating Abnormally Dry Spells

The county faced 20 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the area currently remains abnormally dry. Deep, infrequent watering is essential to help turf survive these dry spells without entering premature dormancy.

Start Seeding This Spring

Plant Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue between the last spring frost on April 28 and the first fall frost on October 11. These cool-season varieties thrive in Zone 5a and respond well to the local moisture profile.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Linn County's county score?
Linn County, Iowa has a composite county score of 40.4 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 Linn County rank among counties in Iowa?
Linn County ranks #93 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 Linn County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Linn County is $3,547, with an effective tax rate of 1.66%. This earns Linn County a tax score of 7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Linn County?
The median household income in Linn County, Iowa is $77,649 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Linn County earns an income score of 78.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Linn County, Iowa a good place to live?
Linn County scores 40.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #93 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Linn 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 Linn 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.