countyscore
64.3
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 85.7Disaster Risk 85.2

County Report Card

About Osceola County, Iowa

A National Leader in Livability

Osceola County shines with a composite score of 65.3, well above the national median of 50.0. This score places it among the top tier of counties for overall quality of life.

A Top Performer in Iowa

At 65.3, Osceola significantly outperforms the Iowa state average of 55.6. It stands out as one of the state's most secure and affordable places to call home.

Exceptional Safety and Security

The county boasts an outstanding safety score of 85.7 and a risk score of 85.2. Combined with water quality at 86.0 and an affordable cost score of 63.0, it offers a high standard of living.

Focusing on Educational Growth

The school score of 60.9 is the county's lowest major category, indicating room for educational investment. While taxes are reasonable at 1.052%, the tax score of 34.4 remains a secondary area for improvement.

The Verdict: Best for Total Security

Osceola County is perfect for anyone prioritizing personal safety and disaster resilience. It is a premier destination for those seeking a stable, secure, and affordable rural community.

2040608010026.964.785.77160.96085.28647.3Tax26.9Cost64.7Safety85.7Health71Schools60.9Income60Risk85.2Water86Weather47.364.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Osceola County DNA

D+overall

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

Osceola County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (85.2/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
26.9-25.1
Cost
64.7+16.700000000000003
Safety
85.7+30.700000000000003
Health
71+21
Schools
60.9
Income
60+9
Risk
85.2+38.2
Water
86+28
Weather
47.3-8.700000000000003
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Many homeowners in Osceola 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

$122,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$797/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$122,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,239/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Osceola County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Osceola County

via TaxByCounty

Osceola County far below national tax median

Osceola County's effective tax rate of 1.052% sits below the 1.1% national median, ranking in roughly the 35th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,302 is just under half the national median of $2,690, offering exceptional affordability.

Among Iowa's lowest-tax counties

Osceola County's effective tax rate of 1.052% falls meaningfully below Iowa's state average of 1.344%, placing it among the state's most favorable counties. The median tax of $1,302 is 40% lower than Iowa's statewide median of $2,160.

Competitive rate in northwest Iowa

Osceola County's 1.052% rate closely matches O'Brien County (0.989%) and exceeds Monona County (1.152%) and Mitchell County (1.156%). The county offers homeowners strong property tax value relative to similar rural Iowa communities.

Osceola median home costs $1,302 yearly

A home valued at Osceola County's $123,800 median generates an estimated annual property tax of just $1,302 at the county's 1.052% rate. This represents among the lowest property tax burdens statewide and substantially below national averages.

Assessment accuracy still matters

Even in low-tax counties like Osceola, homeowners can benefit from ensuring their assessed values align with current market conditions. A straightforward assessment review could further reduce an already-modest tax burden.

Income & Jobs in Osceola County

via IncomeByCounty

Osceola County near national income benchmark

Osceola County's median household income of $69,138 falls $5,617 short of the national median of $74,755, a 7% gap. The county remains relatively close to typical American household income despite rural economic challenges.

Solid middle performer in Iowa

Osceola County ranks near the state average with a median household income of $69,138, just $692 below Iowa's $69,830 state median. The county sits firmly within Iowa's typical income distribution.

Osceola holds its own regionally

Osceola County households earn $922 more than O'Brien County ($68,216) and match Muscatine County's income profile closely. The county remains competitive within the surrounding regional landscape.

Housing costs remain affordable here

A 13.8% rent-to-income ratio means Osceola County residents spend roughly $138 monthly in rent per $1,000 of income—well within healthy affordability ranges. Incomes support manageable housing expenses.

Build consistent savings momentum

Osceola County's near-average income and affordable housing create a stable foundation for wealth building. Focus on establishing automatic savings plans, reviewing retirement account options, and exploring community lending programs designed for rural wealth-building opportunities.

Safety in Osceola County

via CrimeByCounty

Osceola County: A Model of Public Safety

Osceola County is one of the safest in the nation, boasting a safety score of 99.5. Its total crime rate of 325.2 per 100,000 is roughly 86% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading the State in Safety

With only 325.2 crimes per 100,000, Osceola far outpaces the Iowa state average of 1,095.3. These figures come from a single reporting agency, which reflects the exceptionally low volume of crime in the area.

Osceola Stands Out in the Region

Osceola is significantly safer than all its neighbors, including Mitchell and O'Brien. Its crime rate is less than half that of Mitchell County, which is also considered very safe.

Crime is an Outlier in Osceola

The county reports a tiny violent crime rate of 81.3 and a property crime rate of 243.9. Crime is extremely rare here, with very few incidents reported across the entire population.

Maintaining Peace in Osceola

In such a low-crime area, maintaining simple habits like locking vehicles and homes is usually sufficient. Even so, smart home technology can provide an extra layer of comfort for lasting peace of mind.

Weather & Climate in Osceola County

via WeatherByCounty

One of the Region's Coldest

Osceola County averages just 44.5°F annually, which is among the lowest in the Midwest and far below the national median. It receives 30.5 inches of precipitation.

Deep Below the State Mean

Osceola sits 3.5 degrees below the Iowa average of 48.0°F. This gap is driven by a very low January average temperature of 13.9°F.

The Coldest of Neighbors

Osceola is the coldest county in this group, averaging over 6 degrees less than Mills. It is even colder and snowier than its neighbor O'Brien.

Intense Winter, Rare Heat

With 43.5 inches of snow and only 10 days of extreme heat, winter is the dominant season. The winter average temperature is a frigid 17.3°F.

Prioritize Home Heating

Focus your home maintenance budget on high-efficiency heating and insulation to withstand the 13.9°F January lows. Snow management is a major consideration for the 43.5 inches of annual accumulation.

Soil Quality in Osceola County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Soils of Northwest Iowa

Osceola County features an average pH of 6.72, making it slightly more alkaline than the 6.5 national median. The county earns a high soil score of 77.2, reflecting its significant agricultural value. Although specific taxonomic orders are not listed, the chemical profile indicates a very healthy growing environment.

Sand-Rich Texture for Better Airflow

The soil is composed of 44.4% silt, 28.1% sand, and 27.5% clay. This relatively high sand content for Iowa helps with soil warming and provides better aeration for plant roots. It is a sturdy composition that resists the extreme compaction often found in heavier clay regions.

Elite Organic Matter Levels

At 4.79%, Osceola County has some of the highest organic matter in the state, far exceeding the Iowa average of 3.81%. It also beats the state average for available water capacity at 0.197 in/in. This combination creates an incredibly fertile powerhouse for any type of plant growth.

Reliable Moisture Management

While formal drainage classes are not provided in this dataset, the high sand and organic matter levels suggest good natural structure. The soil's ability to hold 0.197 inches of water per inch of soil depth provides a great buffer against short-term drought. This reliability is a hallmark of the county's farming success.

Planting in Hardiness Zone 5a

Osceola County's Zone 5a climate and elite soil fertility make it perfect for heavy-feeding crops like corn, pumpkins, and squash. The high organic matter means your plants will have access to a deep reservoir of nutrients all season long. Start your own gardening tradition in some of Iowa's richest soil.

Lawn Care in Osceola County

via LawnByCounty

Osceola's Northern Lawn Outlook

Osceola County scores 71.8 on the difficulty index, making it more challenging than the state average but much easier than the national median. This Zone 5a county requires a focused approach to irrigation and timing due to its northern location.

Low Rain and Short Seasons

With just 30.5 inches of annual rain, this is one of the driest counties in the set, falling at the bottom of the ideal range. The short 2,569 growing degree day season means you have less time for your grass to recover from summer damage.

Optimal Soil Chemistry

The soil pH is nearly perfect at 6.72, promoting easy nutrient absorption for your turf. The balance of 27.5% clay and 28.1% sand suggests a soil that can support healthy roots if properly managed despite the limited regional drainage data.

Conserving Moisture in Osceola

Only 7 weeks of drought were recorded in the past year, but the entire county currently faces abnormally dry conditions. Focus on building organic matter through mulching to help the soil retain every bit of the limited rainfall.

When to Plant in Osceola

Hardy varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are best suited for this cool climate. Time your planting between the May 5 spring frost and October 3 fall frost to ensure your new lawn is established before winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Osceola County's county score?
Osceola County, Iowa has a composite county score of 64.3 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 Osceola County rank among counties in Iowa?
Osceola County ranks #14 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 Osceola County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Osceola County is $1,387, with an effective tax rate of 1.13%. This earns Osceola County a tax score of 26.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Osceola County?
The median household income in Osceola County, Iowa is $69,239 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Osceola County earns an income score of 60/100 on CountyScore.
Is Osceola County, Iowa a good place to live?
Osceola County scores 64.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #14 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Osceola 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 Osceola County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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