countyscore
59.5
County Score
Health 89.8Income & Jobs 87.3Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Sioux County, Iowa

Solid Stability in a National Context

Sioux County posts a composite score of 59.1, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. It represents a strong example of Midwestern social and economic stability.

Competitive Within the State

The county exceeds the Iowa state average of 55.6, demonstrating resilience across most major livability metrics. It remains a top-tier choice for those settling in Northwest Iowa.

Wealth and Wellness Lead the Way

Excellent health and income scores of 89.8 and 88.3 drive the county's success. A high median household income of $84,736 supports a robust local standard of living.

Managing Rising Costs and Taxes

Affordability is a growing concern with a cost score of 34.0, as median home values have reached $235,600. The tax score of 27.7 also indicates a heavier burden than some state peers.

Best for High-Earning Families

Sioux County is ideal for professionals who value community safety and superior health outcomes. It is a great fit for those who can afford a premium for a stable environment.

2040608010027.536.685.989.848.787.347.68643.3Tax27.5Cost36.6Safety85.9Health89.8Schools48.7Income87.3Risk47.6Water86Weather43.359.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Sioux County DNA

Foverall

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

Sioux County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (89.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (27.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
27.5-24.5
Cost
36.6-11.399999999999999
Safety
85.9+30.900000000000006
Health
89.8+39.8
Schools
48.7
Income
87.3+36.3
Risk
47.6
Water
86+28
Weather
43.3-12.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Sioux County?

Many homeowners in Sioux 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

$250,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$908/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$250,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $86,098/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.5

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Jackson County
Colorado
Median income: $47,667
59.5
Jasper County
Illinois
Median income: $74,755
59.5
Shelby County
Illinois
Median income: $72,095
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Posey County
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Median income: $78,129
59.5
Fremont County
Iowa
Median income: $71,621
59.5
Keokuk County
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Median income: $62,329
59.5
Monona County
Iowa
Median income: $68,377
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Tensas Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $36,615
59.5

Nearby counties

Lincoln County
South Dakota
34.5
Lyon County
Iowa
64.5
Plymouth County
Iowa
47.1
Union County
South Dakota
51.6
Clay County
South Dakota
36.3
O'Brien County
Iowa
59.3
Rock County
Minnesota
70.5
Turner County
South Dakota
59.7

Deep Dives

Sioux County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sioux County

via TaxByCounty

Sioux County offers competitive tax rates

Sioux County's effective tax rate of 1.155% sits just slightly above the national median, placing it in the middle range nationally. The median property tax of $2,722 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite slightly lower home values.

Well below Iowa's state average

Sioux County's 1.155% rate is notably lower than Iowa's state average of 1.344%, saving homeowners money compared to the typical Iowa county. The median tax bill of $2,722 exceeds the state median of $2,160, but this reflects higher home values rather than higher rates.

Sioux offers good value in the region

Sioux County's 1.155% rate is lower than most nearby peers, including Tama County at 1.390% and Story County at 1.472%. Only Sac County's 1.028% rate is meaningfully lower in the immediate region.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $235,600 median-valued home in Sioux County pays approximately $2,722 annually in property taxes. That works out to about $227 per month—reasonable given the home values in the county.

Don't overlook assessment appeals

Even in fairly-taxed counties, assessments can drift above fair market value. Sioux County homeowners should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales and appeal if they believe their valuations are inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sioux County

via IncomeByCounty

Sioux County earns well above U.S. average

Sioux County's median household income of $84,736 ranks in the top tier nationally, exceeding the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 13%. This strong performance is exceptional for a rural Midwestern county and reflects robust agricultural and food-processing sectors.

Iowa's highest-earning county here

At $84,736, Sioux County leads all eight counties by a significant margin—about $15,000 above Iowa's state average of $69,830. Sioux consistently ranks among the top five highest-earning counties statewide.

Clear income leader among peers

Sioux County's $84,736 median far outpaces all seven comparison counties, with only Scott County ($76,363) coming within $8,000. Sioux's economic strength reflects concentrated agricultural production and agribusiness employment.

Higher income funds higher home values

Despite median home values of $235,600—among the highest in this group—Sioux County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% remains manageable. Strong household earnings make homeownership sustainable even at these price points.

Sioux's incomes enable serious wealth-building

Sioux County households can aggressively fund retirement accounts, college savings plans, and diversified investment portfolios while maintaining home equity. The combination of strong income and manageable housing costs creates substantial capital for long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sioux County

via CrimeByCounty

Sioux County Sets a High Standard

Sioux County boasts an impressive 99.5 safety score, placing it well ahead of national trends. Its total crime rate of 315.5 per 100,000 is a mere fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Ranked Among Iowa’s Safest Counties

The county ranks as one of the safest in Iowa, with crime rates far below the state average of 1,095.3. Five different reporting agencies coordinate to keep these figures consistently low for the community.

Safe Even by Regional Standards

Sioux County maintains a much lower crime profile than many of its neighbors in Northwest Iowa. Its violent crime rate of 67.0 is nearly four times lower than the national average of 369.8.

Violent Incidents Remain Extremely Rare

Property crime accounts for 248.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, while violent crime remains rare at just 67.0. Residents are statistically unlikely to experience violent incidents given these very low frequencies.

Community Effort Keeps Sioux Safe

Maintaining such a high safety score is a community-wide effort. Simple home security habits, such as locking vehicles and garages, help prevent the minor property crimes that do occur.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sioux County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler and Drier Sioux County Climate

Sioux County averages 47.4°F annually, which is significantly cooler than the national median temperature. Its position in the northwest makes it a drier-than-average representative of the continental climate zone.

A Chillier Notch on the State Map

The county's 47.4°F annual average is lower than the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. It represents the cooler, wind-swept northern tier of the state where winters hold a stronger grip.

One of Iowa’s Driest Counties

With only 29.4 inches of annual precipitation, Sioux County is much drier than the state average of 36.1 inches. This 6.7-inch deficit distinguishes it from the rainier counties in eastern Iowa.

Extreme Heat Days and Snowy Winters

Despite its northern location, the county faces 21 days of heat over 90°F each summer. Winters are rigorous, featuring a January average of 17.7°F and 31.6 inches of annual snowfall.

Prepare for Wide Temperature Extremes

Residents need high-efficiency cooling to handle the 21 days of extreme summer heat. Winter readiness is equally critical, as the county receives more snow than most of its southern neighbors.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sioux County

via SoilByCounty

Sioux County's Sweet Soil Profile

Sioux County soil features a pH of 6.61, which is slightly more alkaline than both the national median and the Iowa average. This 'sweet' soil is excellent for nutrient availability, particularly for legumes and grasses.

A Solid Silt and Clay Mix

The composition is 51.5% silt and 26.1% clay, providing a sturdy structure for agricultural machinery. The 21.1% sand fraction ensures that the soil remains workable and doesn't turn into a solid block when dry.

Reliable Organic Matter and Moisture

Organic matter sits at a healthy 3.51%, nearing the state average of 3.81% and easily beating national figures. The water capacity of 0.201 inches per inch is slightly above the state norm, ensuring steady growth.

Balanced Hydrology for Deep Roots

While specific drainage classes are unavailable, the silt-heavy profile typically supports deep root systems. Proper field management is key to preventing erosion in these fine-textured Northwest Iowa soils.

Success in Hardiness Zone 5a

The 5a hardiness zone is perfect for cereal grains and cool-weather vegetables like kale and peas. This soil's natural alkalinity makes it a prime candidate for a thriving home vegetable patch.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sioux County

via LawnByCounty

Sioux County Faces Greater Lawn Challenges

At 58.5, Sioux County has one of the lower lawn difficulty scores in Iowa, sitting well below the state average of 77.2. While still above the national median, the local 5a hardiness zone presents tougher conditions for traditional turf. Maintaining a green lawn here requires more effort and attention to environmental stressors.

Drier Air and Intense Summer Heat

Sioux County receives just 29.4 inches of rain annually, which is below the state average and the ideal 30-inch threshold for lawns. Compounding this is a high count of 21 extreme heat days, significantly more than the Iowa average of 16. These factors create a challenging environment where grass can quickly dry out and turn brown.

Stable Soil with Proper Acidity

The soil pH of 6.61 is nearly perfect for lawn health, ensuring that fertilizers are effective. The texture includes 26.1% clay and 21.1% sand, offering a decent balance of drainage and water storage. While specific drainage data is unavailable, the balanced texture usually prevents the extreme compaction found in heavier clay soils.

Persistent Drought Requires Smart Watering

Drought is a major factor here, with 100.0% of the county currently abnormally dry after 38 weeks of drought in the past year. This persistent lack of moisture makes drought-resistant grass choices and irrigation systems essential for survival. Homeowners should prioritize deep root growth through infrequent but heavy watering cycles.

Select Tough Grass for a Hard Zone

Given the 5a zone and May 1 last frost date, hardy varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass or heat-tolerant Tall Fescue are recommended. The short season ends with a frost around October 4, leaving a narrow window for fall recovery. Starting your lawn projects in late August gives the grass the best chance to survive the harsh local winters.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sioux County's county score?
Sioux County, Iowa has a composite county score of 59.5 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 Sioux County rank among counties in Iowa?
Sioux County ranks #44 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 Sioux County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Sioux County is $2,801, with an effective tax rate of 1.12%. This earns Sioux County a tax score of 27.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sioux County?
The median household income in Sioux County, Iowa is $86,098 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sioux County earns an income score of 87.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sioux County, Iowa a good place to live?
Sioux County scores 59.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Sioux 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 Sioux County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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