Sioux County's composite score of 70.3 places it in the 70th percentile nationally, well ahead of the national median of 50.0. It stands among the country's more livable counties.
2 / 5
Leads Iowa's county rankings
At 70.3, Sioux County slightly exceeds Iowa's 69.3 state average and ranks among the state's strongest performers. It's one of Iowa's top destinations for quality of life.
3 / 5
Highest incomes in this group
Sioux County boasts the highest income score of 38.7 among these counties, with a median household income of $84,736. Its health score of 81.6 is also the strongest in the group, signaling excellent wellness and healthcare access.
4 / 5
Risk score shows some vulnerability
The risk score of 47.6, while moderate, trails Sac County and Shelby County, suggesting potential economic or environmental exposure. Cost is also less affordable than some peers, with a median home value of $235,600.
5 / 5
Ideal for affluent families seeking stability
Sioux County suits higher-income families and professionals who value health, good incomes, and low taxes alongside solid overall livability. It's the strongest choice for those who can afford slightly higher housing costs in exchange for the best health outcomes and income potential.
Sioux County's composite score of 70.3 places it in the 70th percentile nationally, well ahead of the national median of 50.0. It stands among the country's more livable counties.
Leads Iowa's county rankings
At 70.3, Sioux County slightly exceeds Iowa's 69.3 state average and ranks among the state's strongest performers. It's one of Iowa's top destinations for quality of life.
Highest incomes in this group
Sioux County boasts the highest income score of 38.7 among these counties, with a median household income of $84,736. Its health score of 81.6 is also the strongest in the group, signaling excellent wellness and healthcare access.
Risk score shows some vulnerability
The risk score of 47.6, while moderate, trails Sac County and Shelby County, suggesting potential economic or environmental exposure. Cost is also less affordable than some peers, with a median home value of $235,600.
Ideal for affluent families seeking stability
Sioux County suits higher-income families and professionals who value health, good incomes, and low taxes alongside solid overall livability. It's the strongest choice for those who can afford slightly higher housing costs in exchange for the best health outcomes and income potential.
Score breakdown
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🏛69.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Sioux County combines strong income and affordability
Sioux County renters spend just 12.6% of income on housing—better than the national average of 14.1%—while earning above-average wages of $84,736. This combination makes Sioux County one of Iowa's most financially comfortable counties for housing.
Best income relative to Iowa standard
With median household income of $84,736, Sioux County significantly outearns Iowa's typical household, and its 12.6% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 14.1%. This advantage reflects strong agricultural and manufacturing economies supporting family financial security.
Higher income offsets higher home prices
Though median home values of $235,600 rank highest among rural peers, Sioux County households earn substantially more—$84,736 versus $70,991 in Sac County. This income advantage allows residents to comfortably absorb higher housing costs while maintaining strong affordability ratios.
Highest earnings support housing stability
Sioux County residents earning $84,736 allocate just 12.6% to rent or 15.4% to mortgage payments, the most favorable balance in this survey. Their above-average income provides genuine financial cushion for housing, savings, and other priorities.
Sioux County: affordability through earning power
Moving to Sioux County means earning more and spending less of it on housing—a rare combination in rural Iowa. If you work in agriculture, food processing, or local manufacturing, Sioux County's strong job market and income levels make housing highly manageable despite premium home prices.
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.
At 82.6 years, Sioux County residents live nearly 4 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years—making it a remarkable outlier. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate is also well below the national average of 16%, indicating exceptional population health.
Iowa's longevity champion county
Sioux County's 82.6-year life expectancy towers 4.9 years above Iowa's 77.7-year average—the highest in the state by a significant margin. This exceptional performance reflects strong community health factors and healthcare access.
Dramatically outperforms all neighbors
Sioux County's 82.6-year life expectancy vastly exceeds Story County (81.5 years), Shelby County (78.3 years), and all other neighboring counties. The county's 14.7% poor/fair health rate is also the best among its peers, showing comprehensive health advantages.
Solid provider access supports strong health
With 81 primary care providers and 171 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Sioux County offers robust healthcare access. The 6.0% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Iowa's 5.7% average, yet exceptional health outcomes suggest strong community engagement with available care.
Keep coverage strong in your household
Sioux County's 6.0% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 16 adults lack health insurance despite the county's exceptional health outcomes. Review your family's coverage at Healthcare.gov and ensure continuity of insurance to maintain Sioux County's health advantage.
Sioux County's composite risk score of 52.39 with a Relatively Low rating sits modestly above the national average. While not alarming, it signals moderate exposure to natural hazards across multiple categories.
Sioux ranks in Iowa's middle tier
At 52.39, Sioux County exceeds Iowa's state average of 39.68, placing it in the middle-to-upper range of the state's risk profile. Several Iowa counties pose lower risks, while others face considerably steeper hazards.
Sioux ranks higher than adjacent counties
Sioux County's 52.39 score exceeds neighboring Sac County (27.29) and approaches Story County (68.83). It represents a moderate risk level for northwestern Iowa.
Tornadoes and floods demand attention
Tornado risk (79.36) and flood risk (49.46) drive Sioux County's hazard profile, with wildfire (39.66) presenting a secondary concern. The combination of strong wind and water threats requires active preparedness.
Ensure flood and wind coverage
Sioux County residents should verify their homeowner's policies include tornado and wind protection, and consider flood insurance given the moderate flood risk. Review your policy limits and update coverage after major home improvements.