countyscore
52.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Lawn Care 85.2Health 81.9

County Report Card

About Mahaska County, Iowa

Just Above the National Median

Mahaska County holds a composite score of 51.4, narrowly edging out the national median of 50.0. This suggests a lifestyle that is consistent with the typical American experience.

Slightly Below Iowa Norms

The county's score of 51.4 is slightly lower than the Iowa state average of 55.6. While it remains a stable community, it ranks in the middle tier of counties across the state.

Clean Water and Strong Health

The county earns high marks with a Water Score of 86.0 and a Health Score of 81.9. These scores reflect a commitment to public health and reliable natural resources for its residents.

Safety and Tax Improvements

Safety Score (36.6) and Tax Score (17.7) are the two dimensions with the most room for growth. An effective tax rate of 1.388% is a significant factor in the overall cost of living for local households.

Reliable Middle-Class Living

Mahaska County is a solid fit for middle-income families who value good healthcare and environmental quality. It provides a balanced lifestyle for those who prefer a traditional, community-focused Iowa setting.

2040608010018.357.236.681.957.46470.38653.2Tax18.3Cost57.2Safety36.6Health81.9Schools57.4Income64Risk70.3Water86Weather53.252.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Mahaska County DNA

Foverall

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

Mahaska County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (81.9/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (18.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
18.3-33.7
Cost
57.2+9.200000000000003
Safety
36.6-18.4
Health
81.9+31.900000000000006
Schools
57.4
Income
64+13
Risk
70.3+23.299999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
53.2
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Many homeowners in Mahaska County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$157,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$793/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$157,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,940/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.6

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
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Nearby counties

Poweshiek County
Iowa
46.9
Monroe County
Iowa
59.1
Wapello County
Iowa
34.3
Keokuk County
Iowa
59.5
Marion County
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Jasper County
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Iowa County
Iowa
57.2
Lucas County
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55.8

Deep Dives

Mahaska County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mahaska County

via TaxByCounty

Mahaska taxes near national middle

Mahaska County's effective tax rate of 1.388% slightly exceeds the national median of 1.099%, placing it around the 55th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,956 trails the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's modestly priced homes relative to its tax rate.

Mahaska slightly above state average

At 1.388%, Mahaska County's effective rate is slightly above Iowa's state average of 1.344%, positioning it in the middle-to-upper range of Iowa counties. The median property tax of $1,956 is 10% below Iowa's average of $2,160, thanks to lower median home values of $140,900.

Mahaska moderate in regional context

Mahaska County's 1.388% rate sits between Marion (1.292%) and Lucas (1.480%), placing it squarely in the middle of its peer group. With a median home value of $140,900 and median taxes of $1,956, it offers a balanced mix of affordability and tax burden.

What homeowners pay annually

A typical Mahaska County homeowner with a median-valued house of $140,900 pays approximately $1,956 per year in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay slightly more at $2,137, while those who own outright average $1,748 annually.

You may be paying too much

Mahaska County homeowners should verify their assessed values match market conditions. If your property's assessment seems inflated, file an appeal with your county assessor to reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mahaska County

via IncomeByCounty

Mahaska County lags the national median

Mahaska County's median household income of $69,019 falls $5,736 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This 7.7% shortfall places Mahaska below national income standards, reflecting economic challenges typical of rural Iowa counties.

Mahaska nearly matches state average

At $69,019, Mahaska County's median household income nearly equals Iowa's state average of $69,830, sitting just slightly below the state midpoint. The county's economy reflects broader rural Iowa trends of stable but modest income growth.

Mahaska in the middle of peer counties

Mahaska County's $69,019 falls between Lucas County ($67,921) on the lower end and Marion County ($78,059) on the higher end. This positioning reflects Mahaska's moderate economic standing within south-central Iowa's diverse county landscape.

Housing costs slightly elevated here

At 14.3%, Mahaska County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Iowa's higher ones, consuming about three weeks of earnings monthly. The median home value of $140,900 remains affordable, but lower incomes leave less margin for financial emergencies or savings.

Disciplined saving is key in Mahaska

Mahaska County households should prioritize building emergency reserves and pursuing income growth through skill development and career advancement. With below-average incomes and tighter housing affordability, strategic financial planning and avoiding debt become essential for building long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mahaska County

via CrimeByCounty

Solid Safety Despite Property Activity

Mahaska County maintains a respectable safety score of 97.7. While its total crime rate of 1,468.8 per 100K is higher than the state average, it remains much lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Above Average Iowa Crime Rates

The county's crime rate exceeds the Iowa average of 1,095.3 per 100K, largely due to property incidents. Four reporting agencies provide a comprehensive and transparent look at the county's public safety landscape.

Higher Activity than Rural Neighbors

Mahaska shows more crime activity than neighboring rural counties like Keokuk. However, it remains a safer alternative to the larger urban centers found further west.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Property crime accounts for 1,115.2 incidents per 100K, while violent crime sits at 353.6. While property crime is lower than the U.S. average, the violent crime rate is nearly double the state average of 216.5.

Prioritizing Home Security Systems

Because crime rates are higher than the state average, residents should invest in sturdy locks and alarm systems. Staying connected with the four local law enforcement agencies helps residents stay informed about local risks.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mahaska County

via WeatherByCounty

One of Iowa's warmer regions

Mahaska County's annual average of 50.1°F is higher than many other Iowa counties, though still below the national median. This climate supports a long growing season with ample summer warmth.

Surpassing the state warmth average

At 50.1°F, Mahaska is significantly warmer than the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. It is also wetter than the state average, receiving 38.7 inches of annual precipitation.

The warm spot of the region

Mahaska is warmer than neighboring Madison and Lucas counties, exceeding their averages by roughly 2 degrees. It matches Madison's heat frequency with 15 days over 90°F per year.

Hot summers and moist air

July is quite warm here, averaging 75.2°F with frequent humidity. While annual snowfall data is currently unavailable, winter temperatures remain chilly with a December-February average of 24.9°F.

Focus on cooling and moisture

With 38.7 inches of precipitation and high July temperatures, moisture control and air conditioning are priorities. Residents should plan for a January average of 21.5°F when maintaining home heating.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mahaska County

via SoilByCounty

Standard Midwestern Agricultural Acidity

Mahaska County’s soil has a pH of 6.31, placing it just below the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic records are limited, this slightly acidic profile is typical for the region's productive agricultural land.

Dense Matrix for Root Stability

The composition is dominated by 55.3% silt and 23.9% clay, providing a dense matrix for plant roots to grip. With 20.9% sand, the soil maintains enough structure to prevent total saturation while remaining nutrient-dense.

Healthy Organic Benchmarks

Organic matter averages 2.78%, exceeding the national average of 2.0% but falling short of the state’s 3.81% benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.186 inches per inch is slightly below the state average, requiring attentive irrigation during dry spells.

Naturally Moisture-Retentive Earth

Though official drainage classes are not provided, the high silt and clay levels suggest the soil is naturally moisture-retentive. Gardeners and farmers should watch for slow drainage in low-lying areas after heavy Iowa rains.

Versatile Growing in Zone 5b

Located in hardiness zone 5b, Mahaska County is well-suited for growing corn, soybeans, and hardy garden perennials. Grab a shovel and start planting, as this soil offers a solid foundation for any green thumb.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mahaska County

via LawnByCounty

Effortless Lawn Care in Mahaska

Mahaska County boasts an incredible 85.2 lawn difficulty score, making it one of the easiest places in the country to grow grass. This score far exceeds both the national average of 50.0 and the Iowa state average of 77.2.

Abundant Water and Growth

Rainfall of 38.7 inches and 3,296 growing degree days create a lush environment for Zone 5b landscapes. The climate stays mild with only 15 extreme heat days, allowing turf to grow vigorously without constant summer burnout.

Optimal pH and Texture

A 6.31 pH level ensures that your lawn can easily access essential minerals and fertilizers. Though specific drainage classes aren't recorded, the 23.9% clay content provides a solid balance of moisture retention and stability for roots.

High Resistance to Dry Spells

Drought resilience is high here, with only 7 weeks spent in drought over the last year. Even though the county is currently flagged as abnormally dry, the generous annual rainfall helps lawns bounce back quickly from short-term stress.

Optimal Spring Planting Window

The long window between the April 21 frost and October 16 freeze is perfect for establishing Kentucky Bluegrass. Take advantage of this 85.2-rated environment to start your lawn project during the peak spring growing weeks.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mahaska County's county score?
Mahaska County, Iowa has a composite county score of 52.6 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 Mahaska County rank among counties in Iowa?
Mahaska County ranks #68 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 Mahaska County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Mahaska County is $2,077, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Mahaska County a tax score of 18.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mahaska County?
The median household income in Mahaska County, Iowa is $70,940 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mahaska County earns an income score of 64/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mahaska County, Iowa a good place to live?
Mahaska County scores 52.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #68 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Mahaska 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 Mahaska 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.