60.8
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 85.9Lawn Care 84.1

County Report Card

About Ringgold County, Iowa

Outperforming the Nation

Ringgold County earns a strong composite score of 60.8, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a high level of overall livability that ranks it among the top tier of U.S. counties.

Beating the Iowa Average

With a score of 60.8, Ringgold County surpasses the Iowa state average of 55.6. It is a standout performer in southern Iowa, offering a higher quality of life than many of its immediate neighbors.

Safe, Secure, and Clean

The county excels in water quality (86.0), environmental risk (85.9), and safety (82.9). These three scores combined make it one of the most secure and well-serviced rural counties in the state.

Tax and Cost Barriers

The tax score of 22.2 is the county’s weakest link, reflecting an effective tax rate of 1.270%. While home values are moderate at $150,300, the cost score of 51.0 suggests it is less affordable than some neighboring rural areas.

A Top Choice for Peace of Mind

Ringgold County is an exceptional fit for families and retirees who prioritize safety and environmental security above all else. It offers a clean, protected, and stable lifestyle for those willing to pay a slight premium in taxes.

Score breakdown

Tax22.2Cost51Safety82.9Health66.7Schools65.6Income65.8Risk85.9Water86Weather52.3
🏛22.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠51
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼65.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡82.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓65.6
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
85.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤52.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨73.3
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱84.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Ringgold County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ringgold County

via TaxByCounty

Ringgold County: Moderate rate, moderate burden

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.

Cost of Living in Ringgold County

via CostByCounty

Ringgold offers solid affordability baseline

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.

Income & Jobs in Ringgold County

via IncomeByCounty

Ringgold Tracks Near National Median

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.

Safety in Ringgold County

via CrimeByCounty

Ringgold County is exceptionally secure

With a safety score of 99.4, Ringgold County is one of the safest places in the nation. Its total crime rate of 405.2 per 100K is a tiny fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

Exceeding Iowa's high safety standards

Ringgold's safety score of 99.4 is higher than the Iowa average of 98.3. Note that data comes from a single reporting agency, so these numbers represent a specific snapshot of local safety.

Setting the regional safety bar

Ringgold County is significantly safer than Page County, which has a rate of 1261.1. It also outperforms Polk County's metropolitan crime rate of 1673.3 by a wide margin.

Minimal crime across the board

Violent crime is nearly non-existent at 64.0 per 100K, compared to the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also very low at 341.2, far below the national average of 2,015.7.

Maintaining a quiet community

While Ringgold County is very safe, staying alert ensures this peaceful environment remains. Simple precautions and community connection help the single reporting agency maintain this high standard of safety.

Health in Ringgold County

via HealthByCounty

Ringgold County faces severe longevity crisis

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.

Schools in Ringgold County

via SchoolsByCounty

Personalized Learning in Ringgold County

Ringgold County features one of the state's most intimate school systems, with just 4 schools serving 763 total students. These campuses are split between two districts, focusing exclusively on elementary and high school levels.

Exceptional Graduation and Funding Stats

The graduation rate stands at a healthy 92.5%, outperforming both the state and national averages. The county invests $7,793 per student, which exceeds the Iowa average and helps sustain a high school score of 56.6.

Mount Ayr and Diagonal Districts

The Mount Ayr Community School District is the largest, enrolling 633 students, while the Diagonal Community School District serves 130. There are no charter schools here, keeping the focus on small, locally-controlled public institutions.

Small-Town Feel in Every School

Every school in the county is located in a rural setting, offering a classic small-town Iowa education. Enrollment ranges from 339 students at Mount Ayr Elementary to just 62 students at Diagonal Junior-Senior High.

Search Homes Near Ringgold Schools

For buyers seeking a very small-school environment with high graduation rates, Ringgold County is a perfect fit. Proximity to the Mount Ayr or Diagonal schools is a major consideration for families moving into this rural community.

Disaster Risk in Ringgold County

via RiskByCounty

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.

Basic homeowners insurance provides ample protection

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.

Weather & Climate in Ringgold County

via WeatherByCounty

High Precipitation and Moderate Yearly Temps

Ringgold County averages 49.4°F annually, sitting just below the national median. It receives a robust 37.5 inches of precipitation, making it one of the wetter continental climates in the region.

A Warm and Rainy Southern County

At 49.4°F, Ringgold is 1.4 degrees warmer than the Iowa state average. It also exceeds the state precipitation average by over an inch, totaling 37.5 inches annually.

Less Snow Than Northern Neighbors

Ringgold County sees only 23.5 inches of snow, significantly less than the 33.1 inches recorded in Polk County to the north. It maintains a similar annual temperature to Pottawattamie County.

Low Snowfall and Moderate Heat Waves

July averages 74.1°F with 15 days of extreme heat, which is mild compared to the state's southwest. Winters are among the state's lightest for snow, averaging just 23.5 inches.

Prepare for Rain and Moderate Cold

The 37.5 inches of precipitation require good drainage planning for homeowners. Residents can expect a lower snow removal burden but should still prepare for 21.6°F January lows.

Soil Quality in Ringgold County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Southern Iowa Mollisols

Ringgold County features high-quality Mollisols with a pH of 6.28. While slightly more acidic than the national median, this soil is part of the legendary fertility of the American Midwest.

Silt Loam with High Clay

The dominant texture is silt loam, containing 52.1% silt and 27.9% clay. This composition provides the weight needed to retain water during the hot Iowa summers.

Above Average Water Retention

The soil boasts an available water capacity of 0.200 in/in, exceeding the Iowa average of 0.195 in/in. Organic matter sits at 3.04%, providing a healthy foundation for plant growth.

Handling Poorly Drained Clay

Classified as poorly drained and in Hydrologic Group D, this soil can stay saturated for long periods. Installing drainage systems is often necessary for optimal farming and stable building foundations.

Productive Gardening in Zone 5b

The Zone 5b climate supports a long growing season for beans, peas, and leafy greens. Get your garden started now and enjoy the high water capacity of this fertile silt loam!

Lawn Care in Ringgold County

via LawnByCounty

Excellent Growing Potential in Ringgold

Ringgold County offers an excellent environment for turf, evidenced by its high 84.1 difficulty score. This rating places it well above the state average of 77.2, making lawn care much simpler than the national median would suggest.

Consistent Rain and Stable Temps

The county enjoys 37.5 inches of rain per year, providing the consistent moisture needed for its 3116 growing degree days. With 15 extreme heat days, the weather remains relatively stable for Zone 5b cool-season grasses throughout the summer.

Addressing Silt Loam and Drainage

The silt loam soil has a pH of 6.28 and is often poorly drained, meaning it holds onto the 37.5 inches of annual rain very well. Homeowners should watch for standing water, as the 27.9% clay content can lead to slow drainage during heavy spring storms.

A History of High Resilience

Drought is rare here; the county only recorded 2 weeks of drought over the past year. Even though 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry, the historically low drought frequency suggests a high level of natural resilience.

Enjoying a Long Growing Season

Thick, lush lawns are easy to achieve in this Zone 5b region using standard cool-season seed mixes. Get your lawn started after the April 25 frost and enjoy a long season of growth until the first frost hits on October 17.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ringgold County's county score?
Ringgold County, Iowa has a composite county score of 60.8 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 Ringgold County rank among counties in Iowa?
Ringgold County ranks #31 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 Ringgold County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Ringgold County is $1,909, with an effective tax rate of 1.27%. This earns Ringgold County a tax score of 22.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ringgold County?
The median household income in Ringgold County, Iowa is $69,821 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ringgold County earns an income score of 65.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ringgold County, Iowa a good place to live?
Ringgold County scores 60.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #31 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Ringgold 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 Ringgold County with other counties side by side.