CountyScore

Sac County

Iowa · IA

#4 in Iowa
75.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Sac County, Iowa

Sac County ranks well above the nation

With a composite score of 75.2, Sac County ranks in the 75th percentile nationally—well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This places it firmly in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability.

Among Iowa's strongest performers

Sac County's 75.2 score exceeds the Iowa state average of 69.3, ranking it in the top tier of Iowa counties. This positions it as one of the state's most livable communities.

Housing affordability leads the way

Sac County's standout strength is housing affordability, with a cost score of 86.5 and a median home value of just $138,400. Health (77.9) and tax burden (73.4) also rank strong, supporting a well-rounded quality of life.

Income growth lags behind peers

The income score of 29.7 is notably low, with a median household income of $70,991 that trails state averages. This suggests limited wage growth or fewer high-income opportunities compared to other Iowa counties.

Ideal for budget-conscious families

Sac County suits families and retirees seeking affordable housing, low taxes, and solid health outcomes without requiring high incomes. It's a strong choice for those prioritizing cost of living and community stability over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.4Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth77.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.7Risk72.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Sac County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Alabama
75.2
Median income: $60,503
Denali Borough
Alaska
75.2
Median income: $88,935
Parke County
Indiana
75.2
Median income: $66,776
Pipestone County
Minnesota
75.2
Median income: $66,073
Kemper County
Mississippi
75.2
Median income: $43,595

Deep Dives

Sac County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sac County

via TaxByCounty

Sac County taxes rank well below national average

Sac County's effective tax rate of 1.028% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, putting it in the lower third nationally. The median property tax here is just $1,423 annually—half the national median of $2,690—reflecting both lower home values and a lighter tax burden overall.

Among Iowa's lowest-taxed counties

Sac County's 1.028% rate ranks it among the lowest in Iowa, beating the state average of 1.344% by a significant margin. The median tax bill of $1,423 is also well below the state median of $2,160, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state.

Sac stands out in its region

Sac County's 1.028% rate is meaningfully lower than most comparable counties nearby. Shelby County, for instance, has a 1.265% rate, while Tama County reaches 1.390%—meaning Sac homeowners keep more of their property wealth.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $138,400 median-valued home in Sac County pays roughly $1,423 annually in property taxes. That's about $119 per month—one of the lowest monthly burdens in the region.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even in lower-tax counties, many homeowners are overassessed relative to market value. If your property taxes feel high, you have the right to appeal your assessment and potentially recover back taxes owed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sac County

via CostByCounty

Sac County rents rank well nationally

Renters in Sac County spend just 10.9% of their income on housing, well below the national average of 14.1%. At $643 per month, median rent is significantly cheaper than comparable communities across the country, making Sac County an affordable option for cost-conscious households.

Iowa's most affordable rental market

Sac County's 10.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of the best in Iowa, beating the state average of 14.1%. With median rent at $643, the county sits $169 below Iowa's median of $812, offering genuine relief for renters statewide.

Cheaper than surrounding counties

Sac County's $643 monthly rent undercuts nearby Shelby County ($810) and Tama County ($865) substantially. The savings extend to homeownership too—median home values of $138,400 compare favorably to neighbors while maintaining the county's cost-of-living advantage.

Housing takes modest income share

With a median household income of $70,991, Sac County residents allocate just 10.9% to rent or 11.7% to mortgage payments. This leaves significantly more income for other necessities compared to Iowa's 14.1% average, providing financial breathing room for families.

Consider Sac County for affordability

If you're relocating to Iowa and prioritizing low housing costs, Sac County deserves serious consideration. With the state's best rent-to-income ratio and median rents $169 below the Iowa average, your paycheck stretches further here than almost anywhere else in the region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sac County

via IncomeByCounty

Sac's income slightly below national average

Sac County's median household income of $70,991 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 5%. This places Sac in the middle range nationally, reflecting rural Iowa's economic position relative to wealthier metropolitan areas.

Above average for Iowa

At $70,991, Sac County earns about $1,160 more than Iowa's state average of $69,830, ranking in the upper half of Iowa's 99 counties. Sac's per capita income of $40,261 also exceeds the state average of $37,136.

Strong earnings in regional company

Sac County outearns several neighbors: it beats Shelby County ($67,690), Tama County ($67,955), and Taylor County ($67,279). However, nearby Sioux County ($84,736) and Scott County ($76,363) command significantly higher household incomes.

Housing remains genuinely affordable

Sac County's rent-to-income ratio of 10.9% is the lowest among these eight counties, meaning housing costs consume far less of household earnings here. With a median home value of $138,400, homeownership remains accessible for most working families.

Build on Sac's stable income foundation

Sac County's affordability advantage—especially in housing—creates real opportunity to save and invest. Starting with even modest retirement contributions or a diversified investment portfolio early can compound significantly over decades in this cost-conscious community.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sac County

via HealthByCounty

Sac County life expectancy trails nation

At 77.1 years, Sac County residents live slightly shorter lives than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. About 14% of Sac County adults report poor or fair health, close to the national rate of 16%, suggesting residents here experience relatively good health outcomes overall.

Below state average on life expectancy

Sac County's 77.1-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years short of Iowa's state average of 77.7 years. This places the county in the lower half of Iowa's health rankings, though the gap is modest.

Neighboring counties show mixed patterns

Sac County's 77.1-year life expectancy ranks below Story County (81.5 years) and Shelby County (78.3 years) but exceeds Tama County (76.7 years). The 13.9% poor/fair health rate here is better than most neighbors except Story County at 13.4%.

Modest provider access, low uninsured rate

With 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Sac County falls short of many neighboring counties but exceeds Tama County's 18 per 100K. The 5.8% uninsured rate matches the state average, meaning most residents have coverage—though mental health providers at 72 per 100K suggest some gaps in behavioral health access.

Check your health insurance today

Sac County's 5.8% uninsured rate shows most residents are covered, but 1 in 17 adults still lack insurance. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact your county health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and employer coverage options available to you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sac County

via RiskByCounty

Sac County's risk stays well below average

With a composite risk score of 27.29, Sac County ranks as Very Low—significantly safer than the national average. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats overall compared to most U.S. counties.

Sac ranks among Iowa's safest counties

Sac County's score of 27.29 places it well below Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it one of the state's lower-risk areas. Only a handful of Iowa counties enjoy comparable safety levels.

Safest county in its region

Sac County's risk profile is notably better than neighboring Sioux County (52.39) and Tama County (45.32). Its 27.29 score reflects the lowest composite risk among its immediate peers.

Tornadoes pose the main threat

Tornado risk reaches 60.02 in Sac County—the hazard that demands the most attention here. Flood risk (17.18) and wildfire risk (9.76) remain minimal by comparison.

Prepare for severe weather now

Given Sac County's tornado exposure, ensure your homeowner's policy covers wind and hail damage, and maintain a weather alert system. A safe room or reinforced shelter in your home can be lifesaving when tornadoes strike.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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