countyscore
62.1
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 85.8Lawn Care 81.4

County Report Card

About Taylor County, Iowa

A National Standout

Taylor County earns an impressive 64.2 composite score, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This ranking highlights it as an exceptionally livable rural area.

Exceeding Iowa’s Average

With a 64.2 score, the county is well ahead of the Iowa average of 55.6. It offers a combination of safety and value that is difficult to find elsewhere in the state.

Safety and Remarkable Affordability

The county shines in safety (85.8) and affordability (71.3). A median home value of $109,700 makes the dream of homeownership very attainable for most families.

Income and Tax Barriers

Income levels are a relative weakness, with a score of 59.6 and a $67,279 median. The tax score of 25.1 also suggests a higher burden than the national norm.

Best for First-Time Homebuyers

This county is a dream for young families looking to maximize their safety and savings. It offers an excellent quality of life for those with stable local or remote employment.

2040608010020.764.885.868.461.856.761.58648.4Tax20.7Cost64.8Safety85.8Health68.4Schools61.8Income56.7Risk61.5Water86Weather48.462.1/100
This county
National avg
5 above average1 below average

Taylor County DNA

Doverall

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

Taylor County excels in 5 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Safety (85.8/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Property Tax (20.7/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20.7-31.3
Cost
64.8+16.799999999999997
Safety
85.8+30.799999999999997
Health
68.4+18.400000000000006
Schools
61.8
Income
56.7
Risk
61.5+14.5
Water
86+28
Weather
48.4
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Taylor County?

Many homeowners in Taylor 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

$117,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$765/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,740/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

Sac County
Iowa
Median income: $73,838
62.1
Allen County
Kentucky
Median income: $61,403
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Floyd County
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Median income: $41,279
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Wadena County
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Linn County
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Adams County
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Jefferson County
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Sedgwick County
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62

Nearby counties

Worth County
Missouri
58.6
Nodaway County
Missouri
50.1
Page County
Iowa
53
Ringgold County
Iowa
61.2
Adams County
Iowa
61.9
Union County
Iowa
52.4
Montgomery County
Iowa
52.7
Gentry County
Missouri
57.8

Deep Dives

Taylor County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Taylor County

via TaxByCounty

Taylor County offers attractive tax rates

Taylor County's effective tax rate of 1.212% sits just slightly above the national median of 1.1%, offering reasonable tax burden compared to the nation. The median property tax of $1,329 runs just 51% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting significantly lower home values in the county.

Below Iowa's state average rate

Taylor County's 1.212% effective rate is noticeably lower than Iowa's state average of 1.344%, saving homeowners money compared to the typical Iowa county. The median tax bill of $1,329 is also well below the state median of $2,160.

Among the most affordable in the region

Taylor County's 1.212% rate is lower than most regional peers, beaten only by Sac County's 1.028%. It sits well below Tama County's 1.390% and Story County's 1.472%.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $109,700 median-valued home in Taylor County pays approximately $1,329 annually in property taxes. That's just $111 per month—among the most affordable in Iowa.

Still worth verifying your assessment

Even in low-tax counties, assessments should be checked for accuracy. If you believe your home is overvalued relative to recent comparable sales in Taylor County, you can appeal for a potential reduction.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taylor County

via IncomeByCounty

Taylor's income significantly below national

Taylor County's median household income of $67,279 falls approximately 10% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap is among the largest in this group, reflecting Taylor's rural character and limited economic diversification.

Well below Iowa average

Taylor County's $67,279 median household income trails Iowa's state average of $69,830 by roughly $2,550. Taylor ranks in the lower half of Iowa's 99 counties for household earnings.

Lower earnings among comparison counties

Taylor County's $67,279 income exceeds only Union County ($56,813) among these eight counties. Tama ($67,955), Shelby ($67,690), and Story ($69,006) all earn slightly more, while Sac, Scott, and Sioux significantly outpace Taylor.

Most affordable homes in the group

Taylor County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% and median home value of $109,700 are the lowest among these eight counties, making homeownership highly accessible. This affordability advantage is Taylor's strongest economic asset.

Leverage affordability for financial growth

Taylor County's exceptionally low housing costs allow households to redirect income toward savings, debt reduction, and investments. Residents should prioritize building emergency funds and exploring first-time homebuyer programs to lock in affordable housing equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Taylor County

via CrimeByCounty

Taylor County Ranks High for Safety

Taylor County achieves a 99.5 safety score, with a total crime rate of 321.1 per 100,000 residents. This performance is exceptional compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

Small-Town Safety with High Rankings

The county is one of Iowa's safest, though residents should note that data comes from only one reporting agency. Its current crime rate is roughly one-third of the Iowa state average.

A Quiet Profile in Southern Iowa

Taylor County maintains a much quieter profile than larger neighboring jurisdictions. Its property crime rate of 253.5 is remarkably lower than the national average of 2,015.7.

Analyzing Local Crime Incident Types

Local data shows a violent crime rate of 67.6 and a property crime rate of 253.5 per 100,000 residents. These low figures suggest a community where crime is the exception rather than the rule.

Staying Safe in a Secure County

Even with low crime rates, basic home security remains a smart investment. Simple deterrents like deadbolts and well-lit entryways help ensure Taylor County stays at the top of the safety rankings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Taylor County

via WeatherByCounty

Taylor County Climbs Toward National Averages

With an annual average of 50.3°F, Taylor County is warmer than many of its northern peers. It remains cooler than the national median but represents the warmer edge of the Midwestern climate.

One of Iowa's Warmest Counties

Taylor County's average of 50.3°F is 2.3 degrees higher than the Iowa state average of 48.0°F. Its location along the southern border makes it a warm outlier in the Hawkeye State.

High Rainfall in the South

At 37.8 inches of annual precipitation, Taylor County is wetter than the state average of 36.1 inches. This increased moisture often arrives as summer thunderstorms rather than winter snow.

Frequent Heat and Lighter Snowfall

Summers are intense with 23 days of extreme heat and a July average of 75.5°F. Conversely, it receives just 18.0 inches of snow, which is significantly less than northern Iowa counties.

Focus on Summer Cooling Systems

With over three weeks of 90°F weather, high-capacity air conditioning is a necessity for residents. Homeowners can expect more rain and less snow than their northern neighbors, simplifying winter yard maintenance.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Taylor County

via SoilByCounty

Forest-Derived Alfisols in Taylor

Unlike much of Iowa's prairie soil, Taylor County features Alfisols, which typically form under forest cover. The pH of 6.24 is more acidic than the national average, reflecting this unique local history.

Classic Silt Loam Texture

A composition of 56.0% silt and 28.6% clay makes this a true loam. It is heavy enough to provide a stable anchor for crops while remaining manageable for home gardeners.

Great Water Storage Potential

Taylor County excels in water storage, with a capacity of 0.209 inches per inch compared to the state average of 0.195. Organic matter is 3.38%, providing a solid biological foundation for plant growth.

Managing Poorly Drained Ground

These soils are somewhat poorly drained and fall into hydrologic group D, meaning water moves slowly through the profile. Proper tiling or raised garden beds are often necessary to prevent waterlogging.

Garden Success in Zone 5b

The 5b hardiness zone allows for a diverse range of fruits and vegetables. Given the high water capacity, your garden will likely stay green even when summer rains are sparse.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Taylor County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Growth in Southern Iowa

Taylor County scores an 81.4 for lawn difficulty, indicating a very friendly environment for home landscaping. Its 5b hardiness zone is slightly warmer than northern Iowa, allowing for a robust and resilient lawn. This score suggests that climate and soil factors align well for the average homeowner.

High Rainfall Meets Intense Heat

At 37.8 inches, Taylor County receives some of the highest precipitation in the region, exceeding the state average. However, it also faces 23 extreme heat days, significantly higher than the 16-day Iowa average. This means that while rain is plentiful, the heat can still stress grass, requiring careful monitoring in mid-summer.

Managing Poorly Drained Loam

The soil is a somewhat poorly drained loam with a pH of 6.24 and 28.6% clay content. Because drainage can be sluggish, homeowners should avoid overwatering to prevent root rot or fungal diseases. Core aeration is highly recommended to improve the movement of water and air through the relatively heavy soil.

Abnormally Dry but Improving

Currently, 100.0% of Taylor County is abnormally dry, though it only saw 7 weeks of drought over the past year. High annual rainfall helps mitigate these dry spells, but the current dry conditions require temporary supplemental watering. Focus on deep soaking early in the morning to fight the 23 annual days of extreme heat.

A Long Fall Seeding Window

The last frost on April 24 and the first frost on October 15 create a long and productive growing season. Zone 5b supports heat-tolerant cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue, which can handle the local summer spikes. The mid-October frost date allows for successful late-season overseeding and repair work.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taylor County's county score?
Taylor County, Iowa has a composite county score of 62.1 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 Taylor County rank among counties in Iowa?
Taylor County ranks #24 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 Taylor County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Taylor County is $1,482, with an effective tax rate of 1.26%. This earns Taylor County a tax score of 20.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Taylor County?
The median household income in Taylor County, Iowa is $67,740 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Taylor County earns an income score of 56.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Taylor County, Iowa a good place to live?
Taylor County scores 62.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Taylor 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 Taylor 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.