Page County

Iowa · IA

#61 in Iowa
68.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Page County, Iowa

Page County: Above the National Median

Page County's composite score of 68.9 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This means the county outperforms roughly seven out of every ten counties across the country on overall livability.

Slightly Below Average in Iowa

Page County ranks just below Iowa's state average composite score of 69.3, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 99 counties. It's competitive with peers but not among Iowa's top performers.

Affordability and Health Lead the Way

Page County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 83.9—median home values of just $120,000 and rents averaging $731 monthly rank among the state's lowest. Health outcomes also stand out at 74.9, suggesting a county with solid healthcare access and outcomes.

Income Growth Remains a Constraint

The county's income score of 21.1 reflects a median household income of $57,752—notably below the state and national averages. Risk management also scores lower at 59.8, suggesting exposure to economic or environmental vulnerabilities that warrant attention.

Best for Budget-Conscious Families

Page County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and tax burdens (effective rate of 1.434%) over high earning potential. It offers stability and affordability but may challenge those seeking robust income growth or dynamic job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.9Cost83.9SafetyComing SoonHealth74.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.1Risk59.8WaterComing Soon
🏛61.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
74.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
59.8
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

Page County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Page County

via TaxByCounty

Page County taxes: Below the national norm

At 1.434%, Page County's effective tax rate sits above the national median of 1.23%, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. Yet homeowners here pay significantly less in absolute dollars—a median of $1,721 annually versus the national median of $2,690—because homes are valued much lower at $120,000 versus $281,900 nationally.

Page ranks middle of Iowa's tax counties

Page County's 1.434% effective rate exceeds Iowa's state average of 1.344%, placing it in the upper half of the state's 99 counties. The median tax bill of $1,721 falls below the state median of $2,160, reflecting the county's lower property values rather than a low tax burden.

Page vs. nearby northwest Iowa counties

Page County's 1.434% rate edges out Palo Alto (1.233%) to the north but trails Pottawattamie (1.613%) to the west. In actual dollars paid, Page homeowners sit between Pocahontas ($1,066) and Ringgold ($1,909), depending on property values in each county.

What a Page County homeowner pays

Own a median-valued home at $120,000 in Page County? Expect to pay roughly $1,721 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that total edges up to $1,785; without one, it drops to $1,644.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Iowa homeowners are assessed above market value and never appeal. If your assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, filing a simple appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your tax burden.

Cost of Living in Page County

via CostByCounty

Page County rents bite harder than nation

At 15.2% of household income, Page County renters spend more than a percentage point above the national average for housing costs. The median rent of $731 per month is affordable in dollar terms, but against a median household income of $57,752—well below the national median of $74,755—housing absorbs a meaningful share of monthly budgets.

Slightly above Iowa's affordability line

Page County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% ranks it above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability across the state. While renters here face tighter budgets than the typical Iowan, ownership costs remain relatively modest compared to the state average.

Cheaper than regional competition

Page County's $731 monthly rent undercuts nearby Pottawattamie County ($970) and Poweshiek County ($864), making it an attractive option for renters seeking rural affordability. Neighboring Ringgold County offers similar rent levels at $745, but Page's lower income levels mean renters here dedicate a larger share of earnings to housing.

Rent and mortgage demands split income

Renters pay $731 monthly while homeowners spend $755 in mortgage costs, creating nearly equal housing burdens across tenure types. With a median household income of $57,752, housing costs consume roughly 15% of income for renters and 16% for owners, leaving limited cushion for other expenses.

Affordable rural living with caveats

Page County delivers some of Iowa's most affordable rents and home values ($120,000 median), but prospective residents should note that local incomes run below state and national averages. Families relocating here for affordability should verify employment prospects before committing, as housing is cheap primarily because wages are lower.

Income & Jobs in Page County

via IncomeByCounty

Page County Lags National Income

Page County's median household income of $57,752 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $17,000 annually. This gap places Page County in the lower tier nationally, where household earnings struggle to keep pace with rising costs across the country.

Below Average Among Iowa Counties

Page County ranks below Iowa's state average of $69,830, earning about $12,000 less per household each year. Among Iowa's 99 counties, this positions Page in the lower-income quartile, reflecting economic challenges in the region.

Income Varies Across Southwest Iowa

Page County ($57,752) significantly trails nearby Ringgold County ($69,821) and Pottawattamie County ($71,446). The variation suggests stronger agricultural and industrial bases in neighboring counties support higher household earnings.

Housing Costs Are Manageable Here

At 15.2%, Page County's rent-to-income ratio stays below the recommended 30% threshold, indicating housing affordability. A median home value of $120,000 makes homeownership accessible, though lower median incomes require careful budgeting.

Build Financial Stability Today

Page County residents earning $57,752 should prioritize emergency savings covering three to six months of expenses, then explore tax-advantaged retirement accounts like IRAs. Starting early with modest investments compounds over time, helping bridge the income gap with wealthier regions.

Health in Page County

via HealthByCounty

Page County's health mirrors national trends

At 77.6 years, Page County's life expectancy matches the U.S. average and exceeds many rural counties nationwide. The 17.7% poor or fair health rate tracks slightly above the national median, reflecting typical challenges in smaller agricultural communities across America.

Slight edge below Iowa's health profile

Page County ranks near the middle of Iowa's 99 counties with a life expectancy of 77.6 years—just 0.1 years below the state average of 77.7. The county's uninsured rate of 5.8% is marginally higher than Iowa's 5.7%, suggesting comparable healthcare coverage across the state.

Healthier than rural neighbors to the north

Page County's 77.6-year life expectancy outpaces Palo Alto County (76.7) to the northeast and Ringgold County (74.6) to the south. With 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Page County offers solid access that exceeds Pocahontas County's sparse 28 providers per 100K.

Good provider access, typical coverage gaps

Page County's 240 mental health providers per 100,000 residents rank among Iowa's strongest mental health infrastructure. At 5.8% uninsured, roughly 1 in 17 residents lacks coverage—a manageable rate that reflects strong baseline healthcare participation.

Ensure you're not among the uninsured

With 5.8% of Page County residents uninsured, now is the time to verify your coverage through Healthcare.gov or Iowa's Marketplace. Contact your local health department or a certified navigator to explore affordable plans and subsidies available this enrollment season.

Disaster Risk in Page County

via RiskByCounty

Page County's risk sits just above national baseline

With a composite risk score of 40.20 and a Very Low rating, Page County ranks slightly above the typical U.S. county's exposure to natural disasters. This score reflects moderate tornado risk balanced against low flood and earthquake hazards, putting residents in a relatively safer position nationally.

Middle of the pack for Iowa disaster risk

Page County's 40.20 score places it slightly above Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it one of the more typical counties in the state by risk profile. The county's tornado exposure (69.62) drives most of its overall risk, while flood and wildfire hazards remain manageable.

Page County faces similar risks to regional peers

Neighboring Ringgold County (14.15) carries substantially lower risk, while Plymouth County to the north (49.20) faces notably higher exposure. Page County's risk profile is most comparable to Poweshiek County (31.27), though Page's tornado risk is notably elevated.

Tornadoes pose your primary weather threat

Tornado risk in Page County reaches 69.62, making severe spring and summer storms your most significant natural hazard concern. Wildfire risk (34.61) and flood risk (27.54) remain secondary but warrant preparedness attention, particularly during high-risk seasons.

Secure your home against tornado damage

Page County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that covers wind and tornado damage, along with a well-maintained safe room or shelter plan. Consider flood insurance as a supplemental policy, especially if your property sits in or near a flood-prone area.

ByCounty Network

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