CountyScore

Wapello County

Iowa · IA

#94 in Iowa
62.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Wapello County, Iowa

Solid livability, moderate standing

Wapello County scores 62.4 on the CountyScore index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 but suggesting room for improvement. The county ranks around the 32nd percentile nationally, indicating livability above the bottom tier but below strongest-performing areas.

Below Iowa's average performance

At 62.4, Wapello ranks below Iowa's state average of 69.3, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Iowa counties. The gap suggests the county faces challenges relative to many peers statewide.

Affordability remains a draw

Wapello offers strong housing affordability with a Cost Score of 78.6, including modest median home values of $112,900 and rental costs of $950/month. Health outcomes score 69.7, supporting quality of life for residents.

Risk and income lag significantly

The county's Risk Score of just 34.7 is a notable concern, indicating elevated vulnerability in areas like economic stability or environmental factors. Income levels are also constrained, with a median household income of $60,034 and an Income Score of 22.6, limiting economic opportunity.

Best for resilient, cost-focused movers

Wapello County works best for people who prioritize low housing costs over rapid economic growth and can navigate the county's risk factors thoughtfully. It appeals to those seeking rural affordability and are willing to work toward building community resilience.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.1Cost78.6SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk34.7WaterComing Soon
🏛56.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.7
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 Wapello County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
California
62.4
Median income: $58,738
Jefferson County
Colorado
62.4
Median income: $107,800
Charlotte County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $66,154
Pasco County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $67,384
St. Johns County
Florida
62.4
Median income: $106,169

Deep Dives

Wapello County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wapello County

via TaxByCounty

Wapello County taxes run 14% higher than nation

At 1.642%, Wapello County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.91% benchmark, placing it in the higher-tax category nationally. The median property tax of $1,854 remains well below the national median of $2,690, largely because homes here are worth less.

Among Iowa's higher-taxing counties

Wapello's 1.642% effective rate significantly outpaces Iowa's 1.344% state average, ranking it in the upper tier for tax burden. The county's median property tax of $1,854 also exceeds the state average of $2,160 relative to home values.

Taxes noticeably steeper than nearby peers

Wapello's 1.642% rate stands roughly 37% higher than Van Buren County's 1.201% just south, and significantly above Wayne County (1.346%) to the west. Among its regional neighbors, Wapello residents face some of the highest effective tax rates.

What you'll pay on a typical home

On Wapello's median home value of $112,900, the typical property tax bill reaches $1,854 annually, or about $155 per month. Those with a mortgage typically pay $1,932 once you include escrow and insurance.

Check if your assessment is fair

Assessment appeals are common and often successful in Iowa counties like Wapello. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to what similar homes sold for recently, you may qualify for a lower assessment and reduced taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wapello County

via CostByCounty

Wapello rents strain household budgets

Wapello County residents spend 19.0% of household income on rent, nearly a third higher than Iowa's 14.1% state average and significantly above the national benchmark. At $950 monthly, rents here exceed the state median by $138, making housing a heavier financial burden.

Among Iowa's least affordable counties

Wapello ranks in the bottom tier of Iowa counties for rental affordability, with only a handful of counties showing worse rent-to-income ratios. This designation signals that renters here face above-average cost pressure compared to their peers across the state.

Higher rents than surrounding counties

Wapello's $950 monthly rent exceeds neighboring Van Buren by $264 and surpasses Wayne County by $290, making it the region's rental cost leader. Even compared to more affluent Warren County, Wapello's rent-to-income burden (19.0%) is worse, despite lower absolute incomes.

Housing squeezes Wapello budgets tight

Wapello households earning $60,034 annually spend $950 on rent, consuming one-fifth of gross income before taxes and other essentials. Homebuyers fare slightly better at $831 monthly, but the county's overall affordability challenge persists for both renters and owners.

Relocating? Compare Wapello carefully

Wapello's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio signals tighter housing affordability than most Iowa alternatives—consider nearby Van Buren, Wayne, or Webster counties where your income stretches further. If Wapello's community draws you, budget conservatively and prioritize employment that exceeds the county's $60,000 median income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wapello County

via IncomeByCounty

Wapello falls well short of U.S. median

Wapello County's median household income of $60,034 sits nearly $14,700 below the national median of $74,755—a 19.7% shortfall. This positions Wapello among the lowest-income counties nationwide, reflecting long-standing challenges in rural manufacturing and agriculture-dependent economies. The per capita income of $33,337 further underscores individual earning constraints across the county.

Near the bottom in Iowa

Wapello ranks in the lower quarter of Iowa's 99 counties, with median household income trailing the state average of $69,830 by nearly $10,000. Per capita income of $33,337 also falls short of Iowa's $37,136 state average, indicating weaker employment and wage growth. These figures suggest that Wapello faces similar rural economic pressures as its neighboring counties.

Wapello tied in the income struggle

Wapello's $60,034 median income places it virtually on par with Van Buren ($60,183) and Wayne ($59,118), forming a lower-income cluster in southern Iowa. Meanwhile, Warren County to the north reaches $92,990, and Winneshiek to the northeast hits $75,652—both more than 20% higher. This geographic divide reflects differential access to higher-wage employment and educational opportunity.

Rent-to-income ratio signals strain

Wapello's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% remains below the 30% danger threshold but represents the highest burden among its peer counties, suggesting growing housing pressure on renters. With a median home value of $112,900 and median household income of $60,034, homeownership is achievable but tight. Rising rents in the county may soon push more households beyond comfortable affordability.

Strategic saving builds Wapello wealth

Wapello residents earning around $60,000 should focus on automating savings through payroll deduction and exploring tax-advantaged accounts to protect income from taxes. Community development organizations and local banks often offer free financial literacy workshops tailored to lower-income households. Consistent micro-investing and debt reduction strategies can compound into meaningful wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wapello County

via HealthByCounty

Wapello Lags Behind National Health

At 74.5 years, Wapello County's life expectancy falls 1.9 years below the U.S. average and 3.2 years short of Iowa's state average, placing it among the lower-performing counties in the region. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.8%) report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these eight counties.

Struggles at State Rankings

Wapello ranks near the bottom of Iowa counties for life expectancy and self-reported health, signaling significant health challenges in the population. The county's 6.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 5.7%, adding barriers to regular medical care.

Struggling More Than Neighbors

Wapello's 74.5-year life expectancy lags substantially behind adjacent counties like Washington County (78.5 years) and Warren County (78.4 years). However, the county stands out with 176 mental health providers per 100K—triple the state average—suggesting strong behavioral health infrastructure.

Primary Care Shortage, Mental Health Strength

With only 57 primary care providers per 100K, Wapello faces a significant shortage of routine medical care access compared to the state norm. The county's exceptional mental health provider network (176 per 100K) indicates strong investment in behavioral health despite primary care gaps.

Insurance Coverage Matters Here

At 6.7% uninsured, Wapello County residents should prioritize enrollment in Iowa's health insurance marketplace or Medicaid to ensure consistent access to primary care. Preventive care can help address the county's elevated rates of poor health and lower life expectancy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wapello County

via RiskByCounty

Wapello faces elevated natural disaster risk

Wapello County scores 65.33 on the composite risk scale—65% above the national average—placing it in the Relatively Low category but well above typical American exposure. The county experiences notably more frequent severe weather than most U.S. regions.

Among Iowa's higher-risk counties

Wapello ranks significantly above Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it one of the state's more hazard-prone counties. The 65.33 score reflects heightened tornado and flooding vulnerability across the county.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Wapello's composite score of 65.33 substantially exceeds nearby Van Buren (33.62) and Warren (36.10). Only Washington County (44.18) comes close, yet Wapello still carries 47% greater overall risk.

Tornadoes dominate, floods follow close

Tornado risk reaches 81.77 in Wapello—one of the state's highest—making it the primary hazard threat. Flood risk at 69.31 rounds out the county's top two concerns, both significantly above state averages.

Bundle tornado and flood coverage now

Wapello residents should prioritize comprehensive storm and flood insurance given the county's elevated tornado (81.77) and flood (69.31) scores. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate coverage for wind, hail, and water damage.

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.