CountyScore

Warren County

Iowa · IA

#76 in Iowa
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Warren County, Iowa

Strong performer well above median

Warren County scores 67.1 on the CountyScore index, well above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks around the 34th percentile nationally, reflecting solid, above-average livability.

Slightly below Iowa's state average

At 67.1, Warren falls just short of Iowa's state average of 69.3, placing it in the middle tier of Iowa counties. The county remains competitive within the state despite this narrow gap.

Higher incomes and strong health

Warren County stands out with an Income Score of 44.1 and a median household income of $92,990, substantially outpacing many peers. Health outcomes are excellent at 79.6, supporting strong quality of life and wellness.

Housing affordability carries a cost

The county's Cost Score of 69.7 reflects higher housing expenses, with a median home value of $252,800 and monthly rent at $975. This affordability gap may challenge budget-conscious families.

Ideal for higher-income professionals

Warren County attracts families and professionals with solid incomes who value health outcomes and don't need to prioritize ultra-low housing costs. It's a strong fit for established households seeking a balanced, health-conscious community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60Cost69.7SafetyComing SoonHealth79.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.1Risk63.9WaterComing Soon
🏛60
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63.9
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 Warren County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elbert County
Georgia
67.1
Median income: $49,727
Wayne County
Illinois
67.1
Median income: $53,107
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054
Logan County
Kansas
67.1
Median income: $71,389

Deep Dives

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Warren County

via TaxByCounty

Warren's property taxes slightly below national

Warren County's 1.502% effective tax rate sits above the nation's median of 1.91%, but homes here are worth significantly more than the national average. The median property tax of $3,797 exceeds the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher property values and elevated tax burden.

Iowa's most expensive properties taxed fairly high

Warren County's 1.502% effective rate runs above Iowa's state average of 1.344%, placing it in the higher-tax tier statewide. With a median home value of $252,800—nearly double the state average—Warren carries one of Iowa's largest absolute tax bills at $3,797.

Highest taxes and home values in the region

Warren County's $3,797 median property tax dwarfs nearby Winneshiek County ($2,784) and Washington County ($2,688), driven by substantially higher property values. Its 1.502% effective rate also outpaces most regional neighbors except Wapello.

What you'll pay on a typical Warren home

On Warren's median home value of $252,800, the typical property tax bill reaches $3,797 annually, or about $317 per month. Those with a mortgage typically pay $3,903 once escrow and insurance are factored in.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even in higher-value Warren County, assessment errors occur regularly and appeals often succeed. Given the size of typical tax bills here, a successful appeal could save hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Warren County

via CostByCounty

Warren incomes offset higher housing costs

Warren County residents earn $92,990 annually—24% above the national median—allowing them to absorb a 12.6% rent-to-income ratio despite higher absolute rents. This higher income cushion makes Warren's housing costs manageable compared to lower-income Iowa counties with similar rent levels.

Affluent Warren ranks solidly affordable

Warren County's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Iowa's best, driven by incomes substantially above the state average. The county's affluence and reasonable affordability ratio create a favorable environment for both renters and homebuyers seeking stability.

Premium housing for premium incomes

Warren's median home value of $252,800 is more than double Van Buren's $118,800, yet its 12.6% rent-to-income ratio remains better due to significantly higher household earnings. The county attracts higher-income households whose paychecks support both elevated home costs and rental rates.

Affluence enables higher housing investment

Warren households earning $92,990 spend $975 on rent or $1,386 on home ownership—both substantial in dollars but manageable as percentages of income. This county's economic strength means residents can invest more in housing while maintaining strong financial security.

Warren suits higher-earning relocators

If you're moving to Iowa with household income exceeding $85,000, Warren County offers premium communities with solid affordability metrics. The county's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio and higher home values reflect an economically robust region worth considering if your earnings match the local income profile.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Warren County

via IncomeByCounty

Warren surpasses U.S. income average

Warren County's median household income of $92,990 outpaces the national median of $74,755 by $18,235, placing it well above typical American households. This 24.4% premium reflects a stronger-than-average job market and higher average wages across the county. Warren ranks among the more prosperous counties in the nation, driven by diverse employment and relatively strong economic fundamentals.

Iowa's income leader

At $92,990, Warren County's median household income substantially exceeds Iowa's state average of $69,830 by more than $23,000, landing it in the top tier of the state's 99 counties. Per capita income of $43,239 also leads Iowa's $37,136 average by nearly $6,000, signaling robust individual earning power. Warren's economic strength makes it a standout performer within the state.

Warren towers over surrounding counties

Warren's $92,990 median income is roughly 50% higher than nearby Van Buren ($60,183) and Wapello ($60,034), and notably exceeds Winneshiek County ($75,652) and Washington County ($71,339). Only a handful of comparable Midwest counties approach Warren's earning levels, making it a regional economic anchor. This disparity suggests concentrated job growth and higher educational attainment in Warren.

Housing remains affordable in Warren

Warren's rent-to-income ratio of 12.6% is among the lowest in the dataset, signaling comfortable affordability for renters across the county. With a median home value of $252,800 and median household income of $92,990, homeownership carries a reasonable debt-to-income burden. Strong income relative to housing costs provides Warren residents significant financial flexibility and security.

Invest aggressively in Warren

Warren residents earning $93,000 should maximize retirement contributions and diversify portfolios across stocks, bonds, and real estate to build substantial long-term wealth. With above-average income, residents can leverage investment properties, 529 education plans, and taxable brokerage accounts to compound returns. Working with a fee-only financial advisor can help optimize tax strategies and accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Warren County

via HealthByCounty

Warren Exceeds National Health Standards

Warren County residents live to 78.4 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years and matching Iowa's state average of 77.7 years. Just 15.3% report poor or fair health, well below national benchmarks.

Top Performer in Iowa

Warren ranks among Iowa's healthiest counties, with strong life expectancy and low rates of self-reported poor health. The county's 3.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties and substantially below Iowa's 5.7% state average.

Leads Southeast Iowa

Warren County's 78.4-year life expectancy surpasses Van Buren (77.5 years) and ties with Washington County (78.5 years) in the region. Its 62 primary care providers per 100K offers solid access, though it falls behind Van Buren's and Washington's provider density.

Low Uninsured, Stable Access

Warren County has the lowest uninsured rate among these eight counties at 3.8%, ensuring most residents have consistent healthcare access. However, mental health provider availability (29 per 100K) lags compared to primary care, suggesting potential behavioral health gaps.

Keep Coverage Strong

With 3.8% uninsured, Warren County maintains strong health insurance coverage, but even small uninsured populations deserve pathways to care. Residents without coverage should explore marketplace options at healthcare.gov to maintain continuity of care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Warren County

via RiskByCounty

Warren sits comfortably below national risk

Warren County's composite risk score of 36.10 and Very Low rating indicate substantially lower natural disaster exposure than the average U.S. county. The county benefits from a favorable geographic position with limited multi-hazard overlap.

Among Iowa's safest communities

Warren scores 36.10, placing it well below Iowa's state average of 39.68, ranking among the state's lowest-risk counties. This favorable position reflects relatively moderate exposure across most hazard types.

Safer than most neighboring counties

Warren's Very Low risk outperforms regional neighbors including Washington (44.18) and Wapello (65.33). Only Van Buren (33.62) and Wayne (22.01) offer comparable safety profiles in the surrounding area.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose biggest threats

Tornado risk registers at 65.87 and wildfire risk at 59.41, making these Warren's primary natural hazard concerns. Flood risk remains moderate at 35.94, below state average.

Prioritize storm damage and wildfire prep

Warren homeowners should ensure wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, then add wildfire liability coverage if available. Though your overall risk is low, these two hazards warrant specific insurance attention.

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.