countyscore
45.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 90.9Disaster Risk 81.5Health 79.7

County Report Card

About Mills County, Iowa

Falling Just Below National Averages

Mills County earns a 46.7 composite score, trailing the national median of 50.0. This ranking places it in the lower half of counties nationwide for overall quality of life metrics.

Trailing Iowa's Strong State Average

The county's score of 46.7 sits nearly nine points below the Iowa state average of 55.6. It struggles to remain competitive with the high performance found in many neighboring Iowa counties.

High Earning Potential and Health

Residents enjoy an exceptional income score of 90.8, supported by a median household income of $87,810. The county also excels in environmental safety with a risk score of 81.5 and a strong health score of 79.7.

Water Quality and High Taxes

Water quality is a significant concern with a low score of 10.8, while a 1.458% effective tax rate drives the tax score down to 14.9. These factors contribute to a lower cost score of 30.0, making it less affordable than regional peers.

Best for High-Earning Professionals

This county suits high-income families who value robust health outcomes and low disaster risk. It is a strong choice for those who can trade higher tax burdens for significantly higher local wages.

2040608010012.126.951.479.745.690.981.510.843.7Tax12.1Cost26.9Safety51.4Health79.7Schools45.6Income90.9Risk81.5Water10.8Weather43.745.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Mills County DNA

Foverall

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

Mills County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (90.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
12.1-39.9
Cost
26.9-21.1
Safety
51.4
Health
79.7+29.700000000000003
Schools
45.6-8.399999999999999
Income
90.9+39.900000000000006
Risk
81.5+34.5
Water
10.8-47.2
Weather
43.7-12.299999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Mills County?

Many homeowners in Mills 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

$237,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$959/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$237,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $90,753/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Fannin County
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Nearby counties

Cass County
Nebraska
53.8
Sarpy County
Nebraska
44.9
Fremont County
Iowa
59.5
Pottawattamie County
Iowa
36
Douglas County
Nebraska
29.6
Otoe County
Nebraska
49.4
Montgomery County
Iowa
52.7
Page County
Iowa
53

Deep Dives

Mills County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mills County

via TaxByCounty

Mills County taxes run above national median

At 1.458%, Mills County's effective tax rate sits well above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationally. The median property tax bill here is $3,334, compared to the national median of $2,690—a difference of $644 annually.

Above-average taxes within Iowa

Mills County ranks among Iowa's higher-tax counties with an effective rate of 1.458% versus the state average of 1.344%. The county's median tax of $3,334 significantly exceeds Iowa's state average of $2,160.

Notably pricier than surrounding counties

Mills County homeowners pay substantially more than neighbors in Monona County (1.152% rate, $1,412 median tax) and Montgomery County (1.791% rate, $1,968 median tax). The difference reflects both higher home values here ($228,700 median) and higher effective rates.

Typical Mills County home costs $3,334 yearly

A median-valued home in Mills County at $228,700 generates an estimated annual property tax bill of $3,334. This calculation is based on the county's 1.458% effective tax rate and represents a real cost for most homeowners.

Tax appeal opportunity for some homeowners

Many property owners statewide discover their homes are overassessed relative to market value, creating potential grounds for tax appeals. If your assessed value seems high compared to recent sales in your neighborhood, consulting a local assessor or tax professional could uncover savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mills County

via IncomeByCounty

Mills County earns 17% above US average

At $87,810, Mills County's median household income significantly outpaces the national median of $74,755. This $13,055 advantage reflects a prosperous county economy that ranks well above typical American households.

Top earner among Iowa counties

Mills County leads Iowa's 99 counties with a median household income of $87,810, well above the state average of $69,830. This positions Mills households at the peak of Iowa's income distribution.

Mills outearns neighboring counties significantly

Mills County households earn $19,106 more than nearby Monona County ($62,944) and $15,292 more than Montgomery County ($63,190). The county's strong economic base separates it from most other rural Iowa neighbors.

Housing costs remain very affordable here

A 12.1% rent-to-income ratio means Mills County residents spend roughly $127 monthly in rent per $1,000 of income—well below the 30% threshold that signals affordability stress. Strong incomes and modest housing costs create substantial household financial breathing room.

Build on Mills' strong economic foundation

With median household income 17% above the national average and housing costs under control, Mills County families have genuine opportunity to save and invest. Consider maximizing retirement accounts, building emergency funds, and exploring wealth-building strategies tailored to your household's above-average earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mills County

via CrimeByCounty

Mills County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

Mills County reports a total crime rate of 1,088.7 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.3 out of 100.

Tracking Closely with Iowa State Averages

The county's crime rate sits just below the Iowa state average of 1,095.3 per 100,000. While very safe, it mirrors the general public safety profile seen across much of rural Iowa.

Comparing Safety Levels with Nearby Counties

Mills is significantly safer than Muscatine County, which sees 1,342.9 crimes per 100,000 people. However, it experiences higher crime rates than Mitchell County to the north.

The Balance of Local Crime Types

Property crime accounts for the bulk of local incidents at 917.5 per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 171.2. These figures suggest residents are much more likely to encounter theft than physical harm.

Practical Steps for Mills County Residents

Despite low rates, installing outdoor lighting and smart cameras helps deter property crime. Staying proactive ensures Mills County maintains its status as one of the safer regions in the country.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mills County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Slice of the Midwest

Mills County averages 50.9°F annually, which is cooler than the national median but high for the region. It maintains a humid continental climate with 34.8 inches of annual precipitation.

Warmer Than the Iowa Average

The county sits 2.9 degrees above the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. This makes it one of the warmer regions in the state, particularly compared to northern counties.

Regional Warmth on the Border

Mills matches the 50.8°F average of neighboring Montgomery County but is significantly warmer than Monona to the north. It experiences a similar precipitation profile to its southern Iowa neighbors.

Hot Summers and Manageable Snow

Summer brings 34 days of extreme heat over 90°F, while winter is defined by 21.6 inches of snowfall. The temperature range spans from a 22.6°F January to a 75.8°F July.

Prepare for the Summer Surge

Residents should prioritize high-efficiency cooling to handle the month-plus of extreme heat days. Winter gear requirements are moderate, as the 21.6 inches of snow is lower than the northern state average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mills County

via SoilByCounty

Mollisols Define the Mills County Landscape

Mills County features a dominant texture of silty clay loam belonging to the Mollisol taxonomic order. At 6.78, the average pH sits slightly above the national median of 6.5 and the Iowa state average of 6.43. This slightly alkaline profile provides a stable foundation for the region's productive agricultural land.

High Silt Levels Drive Soil Workability

The soil contains a high 61.4% silt content paired with 27.5% clay and 11.0% sand. This heavy silt concentration ensures excellent nutrient retention but requires careful management to prevent compaction. While the clay content aids in structure, it can make the ground heavy to work when wet.

Superior Water Storage Despite Lower Organic Matter

Organic matter levels average 3.00%, which falls below the state average of 3.81% but stays well above the national 2.0% benchmark. Notably, the available water capacity of 0.205 in/in exceeds the state average of 0.195 in/in. This means the soil is exceptionally good at holding onto moisture during dry spells.

Managing Poor Drainage and Group D Soils

The county's soil is primarily classified as poorly drained and falls into hydrologic group D. These characteristics mean water moves slowly through the profile, often requiring tiles for farming or specialized foundations for building. Gardeners should consider raised beds to avoid waterlogged roots in these heavy soils.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 5b

Mills County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, where native prairie grasses and deep-rooted vegetables flourish in the silty loam. Fruit trees like apples and pears perform well when provided with proper site drainage. Start your garden today to take advantage of some of the best moisture-retaining soil in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mills County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Lawns in Mills County

Mills County earns a 71.2 lawn difficulty score, making it easier than the national median of 50.0 but more challenging than the Iowa average of 77.2. Homeowners here navigate USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which requires cold-hardy turf varieties to survive the winter.

Heat and Rain Dynamics

With 34 heat days reaching 90°F or higher—more than double the state average—lawns here face significant summer stress. The 34.8 inches of annual precipitation provides a solid baseline, while 3,476 growing degree days suggest a long, productive season for grass growth.

Navigating Silty Clay Soils

The local soil consists of silty clay loam with a 6.78 pH, which sits perfectly within the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for nutrient uptake. However, its poorly drained classification and 27.5% clay content mean you must manage water carefully to avoid saturated roots.

Coping with Recent Dry Spells

Mills County spent 21 weeks in drought conditions over the past year, and 100% of the area currently experiences abnormal dryness. To protect your investment, water deeply and infrequently to encourage roots to search for moisture deeper in the soil profile.

Best Grasses for Mills

Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass thrive in Zone 5b, especially when established between the April 23 spring frost and October 11 fall frost. Start your seeding project in early autumn to give young grass enough time to develop before the first freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mills County's county score?
Mills County, Iowa has a composite county score of 45.7 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 Mills County rank among counties in Iowa?
Mills County ranks #81 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 Mills County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Mills County is $3,494, with an effective tax rate of 1.47%. This earns Mills County a tax score of 12.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mills County?
The median household income in Mills County, Iowa is $90,753 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mills County earns an income score of 90.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mills County, Iowa a good place to live?
Mills County scores 45.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #81 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Mills 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 Mills 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.