CountyScore

Woodbury County

Iowa · IA

#96 in Iowa
61.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Woodbury County, Iowa

Woodbury outpaces the nation on livability

Woodbury County scores 61.9 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of all U.S. counties, suggesting residents benefit from above-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Iowa's middle tier, with room to grow

At 61.9, Woodbury trails Iowa's state average of 69.3, ranking it in the middle of the state's county cohort. While the gap is notable, Woodbury still delivers solid livability compared to most American counties.

Affordable housing and decent health outcomes

Woodbury's greatest strength is affordability: a median home value of just $172,000 and median rent of $946 per month (Cost Score: 75.7) make it genuinely accessible. Health outcomes also shine, with a Health Score of 70.8, indicating residents have good access to healthcare and wellness services.

Income gaps and rising financial pressures

The county's biggest vulnerability is a low Income Score of 29.2, reflecting a median household income of $70,147—noticeably below state and national norms. A Risk Score of only 16.7 signals economic instability or vulnerability, suggesting residents may face financial headwinds despite affordable housing.

Best for budget-conscious families seeking stability

Woodbury County suits cost-conscious households and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and accessible healthcare over higher incomes. This is a county that rewards frugal living and values stability over rapid wealth accumulation.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.7Cost75.7SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk16.7WaterComing Soon
🏛60.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.7
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 Woodbury County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Knox County
Illinois
61.9
Median income: $53,291
Jefferson County
New York
61.9
Median income: $64,978
Lebanon County
Pennsylvania
61.9
Median income: $76,350
Hansford County
Texas
61.9
Median income: $68,299
Suffolk city
Virginia
61.9
Median income: $90,089

Deep Dives

Woodbury County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Woodbury County

via TaxByCounty

Woodbury taxes above national average

Woodbury County's effective tax rate of 1.478% exceeds the national median of 1.086%, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Residents here pay $2,542 annually on a median home valued at $172,000—considerably less in absolute dollars than the national median tax of $2,690, but at a higher rate relative to home values.

Highest taxes in Iowa

Woodbury County ranks among Iowa's highest-taxed counties, with an effective rate of 1.478% compared to the state average of 1.344%. At $2,542 in median annual property taxes, Woodbury residents pay 18% more than Iowa's median taxpayer, though home values here are lower than the state's more expensive markets.

Woodbury leads regional tax burden

Woodbury County's 1.478% rate significantly outpaces nearby Worth County (1.075%) and Wright County (1.544%), though Wright edges it out slightly. Woodbury's median tax bill of $2,542 is notably higher than Worth's $1,530, reflecting both higher rates and home values.

Annual tax on median Woodbury home

On Woodbury's median home value of $172,000, the typical property owner pays $2,542 in annual taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $2,643, while those without mortgages pay $2,369.

Appeal your assessment

Many Woodbury County homeowners are overassessed relative to current market values, making appeals an underused opportunity for tax relief. With property values in flux, it's worth checking whether your assessed value aligns with recent sales of comparable homes in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Woodbury County

via CostByCounty

Woodbury rents higher than national norm

Woodbury County renters spend 16.2% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average of roughly 15%. Though the county's median income of $70,147 sits slightly below the national median of $74,755, housing costs here demand a larger slice of household budgets than most Americans face.

Least affordable county in Iowa's trio

Woodbury's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% ranks it above Iowa's state average of 14.1%, making it the least affordable of the three counties examined. At $946 monthly rent, Woodbury also exceeds the state median of $812 by $134 per month.

Worth and Wright offer cheaper housing

Worth County renters pay just $703 monthly—$243 less than Woodbury—while Wright County comes in at $788. Despite neighboring similar terrain and communities, Worth County's housing advantage reflects stronger income levels ($76,875 vs Woodbury's $70,147) and lower overall demand.

Owners and renters both stretched

Woodbury renters pay $946 monthly while homeowners carry $1,026 in monthly costs on a median home value of $172,000. With median household income at $70,147, housing alone consumes roughly 22-23% of gross income when both rent and ownership costs are factored in.

Worth County offers better affordability

If housing affordability matters to your relocation decision, Worth County's 11% rent-to-income ratio and $703 rents represent meaningful savings compared to Woodbury. The modest income difference ($6,700 higher in Worth) combined with significantly lower housing costs makes Worth a stronger choice for budget-conscious movers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Woodbury County

via IncomeByCounty

Woodbury trails national income median

Woodbury County's median household income of $70,147 falls $4,608 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower-middle range nationally, reflecting Iowa's broader income profile relative to the nation.

Above average for Iowa

At $70,147, Woodbury's median household income exceeds Iowa's state average of $69,830 by $317. The county ranks solidly in the middle tier among Iowa's 99 counties, neither among the wealthiest nor the most challenged.

Competitive with regional peers

Woodbury's $70,147 sits between Worth County ($76,875) to the north and Wright County ($64,033) to the east. The $12,842 spread among these three neighbors reflects varying economic bases and employment patterns across northwest Iowa.

Housing costs manageable here

Woodbury's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio means the typical household dedicates about one-sixth of earnings to housing—a healthy level well below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $172,000 remain accessible on county incomes, supporting homeownership opportunity.

Build long-term financial security

With manageable housing costs, Woodbury households have room to prioritize savings and investment. Starting an emergency fund and exploring retirement accounts now positions families to build wealth over time in this stable, affordable region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Woodbury County

via HealthByCounty

Woodbury lags on life expectancy

Woodbury County residents live to an average of 75.5 years, nearly 5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly one in five (19.1%) report poor or fair health, a rate significantly higher than the national average of 16.8%. This gap suggests persistent health challenges that warrant closer attention.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

At 75.5 years, Woodbury County's life expectancy trails Iowa's state average of 77.7 years by more than 2 years. The county also ranks above the state average for poor/fair health reports, indicating residents face greater health burden than most Iowans. These metrics place Woodbury among the state's lower-performing counties on health outcomes.

Neighboring counties healthier overall

Worth County neighbors average 78.8 years—3.3 years more than Woodbury—while Wright County reaches 77.8 years. Woodbury's poor/fair health rate of 19.1% also exceeds both neighbors, each reporting rates below 18%. Despite stronger healthcare infrastructure, Woodbury residents report notably worse health status.

Uninsured and primary care gaps

Woodbury's uninsured rate of 7.1% exceeds both the state average (5.7%) and neighboring counties, leaving 1 in 14 residents without health coverage. The county offers 63 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, substantially lower than state standards, creating access barriers. Mental health providers are more abundant at 284 per 100K, but primary care shortages remain a critical concern.

Explore coverage options today

With 7.1% uninsured, many Woodbury residents may qualify for Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, or employer coverage they haven't discovered yet. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to find affordable options tailored to your income and family size. Taking this step connects you to preventive care and reduces the burden of uninsured visits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Woodbury County

via RiskByCounty

Woodbury faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 83.27, Woodbury County ranks as relatively moderate for natural disasters—more than double Iowa's state average of 39.68. This puts the county in a notably higher risk category than most U.S. counties, driven primarily by severe tornado and wildfire exposure.

Among Iowa's riskiest counties

Woodbury County's composite risk score of 83.27 places it well above the state average, making it one of Iowa's counties most vulnerable to natural hazards. The county's tornado risk of 96.53 and wildfire risk of 87.37 are particularly elevated compared to statewide benchmarks.

Notably riskier than nearby counties

Woodbury County's risk profile stands out sharply against its neighbors: Worth County scores just 9.86 and Wright County scores 41.51, both significantly lower than Woodbury's 83.27. This disparity reflects Woodbury's outsized exposure to tornadoes and wildfires relative to the surrounding region.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate

Tornado risk reaches 96.53 in Woodbury County—the county's most critical hazard—while wildfire risk of 87.37 poses a secondary but serious threat. Flood risk of 78.18 also warrants attention, particularly for residents near river corridors and low-lying areas.

Prioritize comprehensive disaster coverage

Given tornado and wildfire exposures, Woodbury County residents should verify their homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage, and consider separate wildfire coverage if available in your area. A weather radio and family emergency plan are essential—tornadoes demand minutes of warning, and having a safe room identified can save lives.

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.