Ringgold County's composite score of 70.8 ranks it in the 71st percentile nationally, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by nearly 21 points. It places the county among the stronger-performing regions in the United States.
2 / 5
Above Average Across Iowa
Ringgold County scores 70.8, exceeding Iowa's state average of 69.3 and placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It's a solid regional performer with competitive livability metrics.
3 / 5
Outstanding Risk Management and Affordability
Ringgold County stands out with an exceptional risk score of 85.9—the highest in this group—indicating strong economic and environmental resilience. A cost score of 78.8 and median home values of $150,300 also deliver solid affordability.
4 / 5
Modest Income Levels and Healthcare Access
The income score of 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,821, below the strongest performers in this county group. Health outcomes at 73.5 are respectable but trail top performers, suggesting room for healthcare expansion.
5 / 5
Perfect for Risk-Averse, Stability-Seeking Families
Ringgold County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing economic stability and low financial risk over maximum earning potential. Its strong risk management, reasonable housing costs, and low taxes (1.270% effective rate) make it ideal for conservative households valuing predictability.
Ringgold County's composite score of 70.8 ranks it in the 71st percentile nationally, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by nearly 21 points. It places the county among the stronger-performing regions in the United States.
Above Average Across Iowa
Ringgold County scores 70.8, exceeding Iowa's state average of 69.3 and placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 99 counties. It's a solid regional performer with competitive livability metrics.
Outstanding Risk Management and Affordability
Ringgold County stands out with an exceptional risk score of 85.9—the highest in this group—indicating strong economic and environmental resilience. A cost score of 78.8 and median home values of $150,300 also deliver solid affordability.
Modest Income Levels and Healthcare Access
The income score of 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,821, below the strongest performers in this county group. Health outcomes at 73.5 are respectable but trail top performers, suggesting room for healthcare expansion.
Perfect for Risk-Averse, Stability-Seeking Families
Ringgold County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing economic stability and low financial risk over maximum earning potential. Its strong risk management, reasonable housing costs, and low taxes (1.270% effective rate) make it ideal for conservative households valuing predictability.
Score breakdown
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🏛66.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Ringgold County's effective tax rate of 1.270% sits just above the national median of 1.23%, placing it in the 52nd percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $1,909 is 29% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's median home value of $150,300.
Ringgold ranks lower-middle in Iowa taxes
At 1.270%, Ringgold County's effective rate is 5% below the state average of 1.344%. The median tax of $1,909 is 12% below the state median of $2,160, placing Ringgold in Iowa's lower tier of tax burden.
Ringgold offers modest tax bills in south
Ringgold's 1.270% rate undercuts Page (1.434%) to the north and sits between Palo Alto (1.233%) and Pocahontas (1.143%). At $1,909 in median taxes, Ringgold homeowners pay substantially less than northern counties with higher property values.
Ringgold County homeowner tax bill
A median home valued at $150,300 in Ringgold County results in roughly $1,909 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $2,246; without one, the bill drops to $1,633.
Check your assessment annually
Even in lower-tax counties, properties can be overassessed relative to recent market sales. Review your assessment notice each year and appeal if your home's valuation drifts above comparable recent sales in Ringgold County.
At 12.8% of household income, Ringgold County renters beat the national average for affordability, with median rents of $745 paired against a median income of $69,821. This county delivers genuine rental affordability despite slightly below-average local incomes.
Below-average rents, better affordability
Ringgold County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below Iowa's 14.1% state average, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. This favorable status stems from reasonable rent levels combined with reasonably strong local incomes.
Competitive in south-central region
Ringgold County's $745 rent matches Pocahontas County and undercuts Poweshiek County ($864) by $119 monthly. Paired with above-average incomes for a rural county, Ringgold offers solid regional value for renters.
Ownership costs spike dramatically
Renters pay $745 monthly while homeowners spend $1,074—a striking 44% gap reflecting median home values of $150,300. Renters spend just 12.8% of the $69,821 income on housing, but buyers commit 18.4%—a substantial ownership premium.
Renters' haven, buyers beware
Ringgold County appeals strongly to renters seeking rural affordability, as housing costs consume far less income here than neighboring counties. Prospective homebuyers should carefully evaluate whether ownership costs justify the investment, as rental affordability doesn't translate to purchasing ease.
Ringgold County's median household income of $69,821 sits about $4,900 below the national median of $74,755. Despite falling slightly short, the county remains competitive with middle-income American communities.
Matches Iowa's State Average
Ringgold County's $69,821 median income nearly matches Iowa's state average of $69,830, placing it right at the typical Iowa income level. The alignment reflects a stable, representative rural agricultural economy.
Solid Position in Southwest Iowa
Ringgold County ($69,821) outearns Page County ($57,752) and Pocahontas County ($63,423) while slightly trailing Pottawattamie County ($71,446). Performance reflects moderate agricultural productivity and limited industrial diversification.
Good Housing Value Supports Stability
Ringgold County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest statewide, with median home values of $150,300. Strong affordability helps households weather income variability common in agricultural communities.
Make Affordability Work for Growth
Ringgold County residents benefit from exceptional housing affordability that frees resources for investing. Direct those savings into diversified investments, retirement accounts, and personal skill development to build long-term financial security.
At 74.6 years, Ringgold County's life expectancy is 3.5 years below the U.S. average, making it one of the shortest-lived rural counties in America. A 15.9% poor or fair health rate compounds this public health emergency, though it underestimates the severity of underlying mortality drivers.
Iowa's lowest life expectancy by far
Ringgold County ranks dead last in Iowa with a 74.6-year life expectancy—3.1 years below the state average of 77.7—representing a catastrophic health gap. At 6.3% uninsured, coverage rates trail the state average, but the life expectancy gap suggests deeper economic and social determinants require urgent attention.
Extreme disadvantage in every metric
Ringgold County's 74.6-year life expectancy is 4.4 years shorter than neighboring Palo Alto (76.7) and nearly 5 years shorter than Plymouth County (79.0). Despite having 108 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the highest of any county profiled—mental health data is unavailable, and outcomes suggest structural barriers far exceed provider supply.
High provider capacity cannot reverse decline
Ringgold County's 108 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank highest among all profiled counties, yet life expectancy remains the lowest—indicating provider availability alone cannot address this community's health crisis. Mental health provider data is unavailable, but the 6.3% uninsured rate and 74.6-year life expectancy suggest poverty, isolation, and behavioral health needs overwhelm current resources.
Insurance is essential, but only a start
Ringgold County's 74.6-year life expectancy represents an urgent public health crisis requiring immediate action at every level—starting with ensuring the 6.3% uninsured population secures coverage at Healthcare.gov. Coverage is necessary but insufficient; Ringgold needs community-wide health initiatives, mental health expansion, and targeted intervention to reverse the nation's steepest health decline.
Ringgold County ranks among nation's safest counties
At 14.15, Ringgold County's composite risk score represents one of America's lowest disaster exposures, earning a Very Low rating. This exceptionally safe profile reflects minimal hazard across virtually all natural disaster categories.
Iowa's safest county by composite risk measure
Ringgold County's 14.15 score is the lowest in Iowa, well below the state average of 39.68. Only Palo Alto County (15.46) comes close to matching Ringgold's remarkably low natural disaster risk profile.
Ringgold sits in Iowa's safest region overall
Neighboring Palo Alto County (15.46) and Pocahontas County (33.05) both rank among Iowa's safer counties, while Page County (40.20) adds moderate risk. Ringgold anchors what is clearly the state's most hazard-resistant corner.
Wildfire and tornado risks are only notable threats
Wildfire risk (32.47) and tornado risk (31.52) represent your county's only meaningful hazards, though both remain below statewide averages. Flood (4.96) and earthquake (8.59) risks are minimal, making Ringgold an exceptionally benign natural disaster environment.
Ringgold County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance with tornado coverage as sufficient disaster protection. Focus on maintaining a basic family emergency plan and weather alert system, as serious natural disaster risk is minimal in your county.