CountyScore

Winnebago County

Iowa · IA

#24 in Iowa
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Winnebago County, Iowa

Strong performer outpaces national median

Winnebago County scores 71.9 on the CountyScore index, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks around the 44th percentile nationally, placing it among the stronger-performing regions.

Top performer in Iowa

At 71.9, Winnebago exceeds Iowa's state average of 69.3 by a meaningful margin, ranking it among the top-performing counties statewide. The county demonstrates clear competitive advantage within Iowa.

Excellent health and strong affordability

Winnebago County excels with a Health Score of 80.4, among the highest in the state, and a Cost Score of 83.9 reflecting excellent housing affordability with a median home value of $132,300. The Tax Score of 64.0 and low effective tax rate of 1.361% further protect household finances.

Income levels remain modest

The Income Score of 25.0 and median household income of $63,719 suggest limited high-wage opportunity, which could constrain financial growth for ambitious households. This represents the primary livability constraint.

Excellent choice for health-focused families

Winnebago County is ideal for families prioritizing excellent health outcomes and affordable living in a tax-friendly environment over maximum earning potential. It suits retirees, healthcare workers, and those building sustainable small-town communities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64Cost83.9SafetyComing SoonHealth80.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk69.4WaterComing Soon
🏛64
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡69.4
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 Winnebago County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121

Deep Dives

Winnebago County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Winnebago County

via TaxByCounty

Winnebago taxes run roughly at national average

At 1.361%, Winnebago County's effective tax rate sits just below the national median, placing it right in the middle nationally. The median property tax of $1,800 falls well short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the region.

Slightly above Iowa's statewide average

Winnebago County's 1.361% effective rate runs just 1.3% above Iowa's state average of 1.344%, putting it essentially in line with the state. The median property tax of $1,800 trails Iowa's $2,160 average, indicating relatively modest home values.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Winnebago's 1.361% rate sits between Van Buren (1.201%) and Washington County (1.347%), making it one of the region's more tax-friendly options. Its median tax of $1,800 remains well below Warren ($3,797) and Winneshiek ($2,784).

What you'll pay on a typical home

On Winnebago's median home value of $132,300, the typical property tax bill comes to $1,800 annually, or about $150 per month. Those with a mortgage typically pay $1,790 once escrow and insurance are included.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even with moderate tax rates, Winnebago homeowners should verify their assessments for accuracy. If your assessed value appears inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, an assessment appeal could provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Winnebago County

via CostByCounty

Winnebago delivers exceptional rental value

Winnebago County residents spend 13.4% of household income on rent, matching Iowa's top performers and significantly below the national benchmark. At $712 monthly, rents fall well below the state median of $812, offering strong affordability for renters statewide.

Top-tier affordability in Iowa

Winnebago County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio places it among Iowa's most affordable counties, competing with the state's best affordability stories. This ranking reflects genuine accessibility for households earning near the state median.

Competitive rents in north-central Iowa

Winnebago's $712 monthly rent is affordable within its region, though slightly higher than Wayne ($660) and lower than Webster ($762). Its median home value of $132,300 keeps homeownership accessible while maintaining strong rental affordability.

Housing costs leave room for savings

Winnebago households earning $63,719 spend $712 on rent, dedicating just 13.4% of income to housing and preserving over $5,400 yearly for necessities and savings. Homebuyers at $776 monthly enjoy similar proportions, making the county accessible across both rental and ownership markets.

Winnebago: affordable North Iowa living

If you're relocating to Iowa and value affordability, Winnebago County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio and $712 monthly rents offer genuine savings. The county delivers solid value without requiring you to move to the state's most remote or economically challenged areas.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Winnebago County

via IncomeByCounty

Winnebago below typical U.S. income

Winnebago County's median household income of $63,719 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $11,036, a gap of 14.8%. Per capita income of $36,877 similarly falls short of national averages, reflecting limited earning opportunities in this smaller rural market. Winnebago's position indicates economic challenges typical of northern Iowa's agricultural and light-manufacturing communities.

Below average but closer to middle

Winnebago County's $63,719 median household income trails Iowa's state average of $69,830 by about $6,100, positioning it slightly below the state median. Per capita income of $36,877 nearly matches Iowa's average of $37,136, suggesting fairly typical individual earning power. Winnebago performs reasonably close to state norms despite rural challenges.

Winnebago in the lower-middle tier

Winnebago's $63,719 income exceeds Wayne ($59,118), Wapello ($60,034), and Van Buren ($60,183) but trails Winneshiek ($75,652), Warren ($92,990), and Washington ($71,339). It closely parallels Webster County ($68,054), forming a mid-tier peer group in north-central Iowa. This clustering reflects broadly similar economic structures across the region.

Low rent burden supports renters

Winnebago's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% is among the lowest in the dataset, providing substantial breathing room for rental households to cover other expenses. With a median home value of $132,300 and median household income of $63,719, homeownership requires careful planning but remains achievable. The low rent burden suggests rental markets here remain relatively affordable and competitive.

Modest income, meaningful savings

Winnebago residents should prioritize payroll-deducted 401(k) contributions and explore small-business retirement plans like SEP-IRAs if self-employed. Setting aside even 5-10% of gross income in diversified investments compounds significantly over 30+ years. Regular financial reviews, eliminating high-interest debt, and taking advantage of employer benefits maximize wealth-building potential despite modest base income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Winnebago County

via HealthByCounty

Winnebago Leads in Life Expectancy

Winnebago County residents live to 78.8 years on average, topping both the U.S. average (76.4 years) and Iowa's state average (77.7 years). Only 12.8% report poor or fair health—the second-lowest among these eight counties.

Iowa's Top Tier County

Winnebago County ranks among Iowa's highest-performing counties for longevity and overall health status. At 5.6% uninsured, the county sits just below Iowa's 5.7% state average, ensuring broad health insurance coverage.

Healthy, Though Provider-Sparse

Winnebago County's 78.8-year life expectancy ranks second-highest among these eight counties, surpassed only by Winneshiek County (81.8 years). However, the county offers just 28 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in the cohort—raising questions about care access supporting excellent outcomes.

Paradox: Great Health, Sparse Providers

Winnebago County achieves outstanding longevity despite having only 28 primary care providers per 100K, suggesting population health factors beyond traditional healthcare access. Mental health provider availability is also limited at 19 per 100K, the lowest among these counties.

Maintain Strong Coverage

At 5.6% uninsured, Winnebago County maintains excellent health insurance coverage that supports its outstanding health outcomes. Residents without coverage should explore marketplace options to sustain access and build on the county's health success.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Winnebago County

via RiskByCounty

Winnebago sits well below national average

Winnebago County scores 30.66 in the Very Low risk category, placing it 23% below the national average. The county enjoys minimal natural disaster exposure compared to typical American regions.

Among Iowa's safest counties

Winnebago scores 30.66, well below Iowa's state average of 39.68, ranking among the state's lowest-risk communities. The county's favorable position reflects moderate hazard exposure across all categories.

Safest county in northern Iowa cluster

Winnebago (30.66) outperforms neighboring Winneshiek (36.20) and significantly exceeds Webster (59.99). Only Wayne County (22.01) offers lower overall risk in the broader region.

Tornadoes top the list, others minimal

Tornado risk at 45.83 represents Winnebago's primary hazard concern, though wildfire risk remains exceptionally low at 13.61. Flood and earthquake risks remain below state averages.

Standard coverage with tornado protection

Winnebago residents should ensure homeowners policies include wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, but can likely skip specialized flood or wildfire riders. Your county's low overall risk means competitive standard policies offer excellent value.

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.