CountyScore

Wright County

Iowa · IA

#66 in Iowa
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wright County, Iowa

Wright County solidly above the national baseline

Wright County's composite score of 68.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of American counties. This suggests residents benefit from above-average livability in most key areas.

Virtually tied with Iowa's average performance

At 68.3, Wright County nearly matches Iowa's state average of 69.3, placing it right in the middle of the state's county rankings. This indicates solid, mainstream livability within Iowa's context.

Unbeatable affordability, solid health care access

Wright County's greatest asset is housing affordability: median home values of $109,800 and median rent of $788 per month deliver exceptional value (Cost Score: 83.4). Health outcomes are respectable at 75.1, and a Risk Score of 58.5 suggests moderate economic stability.

Below-average incomes and higher tax burden

Wright County faces headwinds on income and taxes: median household income of $64,033 is notably low (Income Score: 25.2), and the effective tax rate of 1.544% is among the highest in the state (Tax Score: 58.9). These pressures offset the county's strong affordability advantage.

Perfect for downsizers and rural retirees

Wright County appeals to retirees and downsizers seeking minimal living costs and a quiet rural lifestyle, particularly those on fixed incomes. This is where modest means stretch furthest.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.9Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.2Risk58.5WaterComing Soon
🏛58.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.5
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 Wright County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Wilkes County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $52,542
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976

Deep Dives

Wright County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wright County

via TaxByCounty

Wright County's elevated tax rate nationally

Wright County's effective tax rate of 1.544% ranks in the top 30% of U.S. counties, exceeding the national median of 1.086% by 42%. However, the median annual tax of $1,695 remains well below the national median of $2,690 due to Wright's significantly lower median home value of $109,800.

Second-highest rate in Iowa

Wright County's effective tax rate of 1.544% ranks as the second-highest in Iowa, just behind Woodbury County's 1.478% and well above the state average of 1.344%. Despite this, median taxes of $1,695 sit below both Woodbury and the state average due to lower property values.

Wright's highest rate in the region

Wright County has the highest effective tax rate among its neighbors at 1.544%, surpassing Woodbury County (1.478%) and significantly exceeding Worth County (1.075%). Though median home values are lowest in Wright, the steep tax rate means residents pay higher taxes per dollar of home value than surrounding counties.

Annual tax on median Wright home

On Wright County's median home value of $109,800, the typical property owner pays $1,695 in annual taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,774, while those without mortgages pay $1,584.

Assessment appeals could help

With Wright County's high tax rate, overassessments have outsized impact on residents' wallets. Appealing an inflated assessment could yield meaningful relief, especially in a county where property values are relatively modest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wright County

via CostByCounty

Wright County rents align with national trends

Wright County renters spend 14.8% of their income on rent, nearly matching the national average of roughly 15%. However, the county's median household income of $64,033 trails the national median of $74,755 by over $10,000, meaning residents earn less while paying proportionally similar housing costs.

Slightly below state average for rent burden

Wright County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Iowa's state average of 14.1%, placing it in the middle of the three counties. With median rent at $788, the county runs $24 above the state median of $812, reflecting moderate housing demand.

Middle ground between Worth and Woodbury

Wright County's $788 rent falls between Worth's $703 and Woodbury's $946, while its $64,033 income is the lowest of the three. Despite the lowest earnings, Wright County's modest housing costs and lowest median home value ($109,800) keep affordability manageable.

Lowest earners, lowest housing prices

Wright County renters pay $788 monthly while homeowners spend $716 on properties valued at just $109,800—the region's most affordable homes. With median income at $64,033, housing consumes roughly 15% of gross income for renters, but the low home values create strong ownership opportunities.

Best homebuying opportunity for budget buyers

Wright County's $109,800 median home value and $716 monthly owner costs offer the most accessible path to homeownership in the region, especially for lower-income households. If building equity matters more than renting flexibility, Wright County's affordable properties and modest ongoing costs make it worth serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wright County

via IncomeByCounty

Wright County below national income

Wright County's median household income of $64,033 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $10,722. This $10,722 gap positions the county below the national average, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Iowa regions.

Below Iowa's state median

Wright County's $64,033 falls $5,797 below Iowa's median of $69,830, ranking the county in the lower third of Iowa's 99 counties. This shortfall underscores local economic pressures and limited wage growth in recent years.

Lowest earnings in the trio

Wright County trails both Worth County ($76,875) and Woodbury County ($70,147) by substantial margins. The $12,842 difference between Wright and Worth represents one of the state's starker intra-regional income disparities.

Affordable housing with tight margins

Wright County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, and median home values of $109,800 are the region's lowest. However, lower incomes mean households have less cushion for unexpected expenses, making emergency savings crucial.

Strategic planning builds security

Wright County households face tighter budgets but benefit from low housing costs that free up resources for savings. Prioritizing an emergency fund and exploring local job training or business development opportunities strengthens family resilience and future prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wright County

via HealthByCounty

Wright County matches national health

Wright County residents live to 77.8 years, beating the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over a year. At 18.0%, the poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 16.8%, though only slightly. Overall, Wright performs solidly against national benchmarks with life expectancy strength offsetting minor health perception challenges.

Slightly above Iowa average

Wright County's life expectancy of 77.8 years marginally exceeds Iowa's state average of 77.7 years, placing it near the middle of Iowa's counties. The poor/fair health rate of 18.0% runs slightly above the state average, indicating residents report modestly more health challenges than Iowans overall. These near-average metrics reflect a typical rural Iowa health profile.

Between Worth and Woodbury

Wright County's 77.8-year life expectancy falls between Worth County's leading 78.8 years and Woodbury's lower 75.5 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 18.0% places it between Worth's best-in-region 14.4% and Woodbury's highest 19.1%. Wright represents the middle ground health-wise among these three neighboring counties.

Moderate access, stable coverage

Wright County's 5.4% uninsured rate matches nearby Worth County and sits just below the state average, indicating strong coverage overall. The county supports 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than Worth's 14 but less than Woodbury's 63—offering moderate access. Mental health providers number 142 per 100K, showing decent behavioral health capacity despite primary care constraints.

Maintain coverage and seek care

Wright County's solid 5.4% uninsured rate shows most residents have coverage, but the remaining uninsured should check Healthcare.gov for marketplace and Medicaid options. With moderate primary care capacity, establishing a relationship with a provider now ensures you're connected before health needs arise. Review coverage gaps annually to stay prepared.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wright County

via RiskByCounty

Wright County has near-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 41.51, Wright County ranks as very low and sits just slightly above Iowa's state average of 39.68. The county's risk profile is broadly representative of midwestern counties, driven primarily by moderate tornado and flood exposure.

Middle-tier risk among Iowa counties

Wright County's composite risk score of 41.51 places it marginally above Iowa's state average of 39.68, making it a relatively typical Iowa county in disaster vulnerability. The county avoids the extreme concentrations of risk seen in a few high-exposure areas.

More vulnerable than Worth, less than Woodbury

Wright County's risk score of 41.51 sits squarely between Worth County (9.86) and Woodbury County (83.27), reflecting moderate regional variation in hazard exposure. The county's tornado and flood risks are notably higher than Worth's but substantially lower than Woodbury's.

Tornado and flood are the primary threats

Tornado risk of 54.39 and flood risk of 35.05 represent Wright County's primary natural disaster exposures, with both at or above state averages. Secondary risks—wildfire (7.28), earthquake (16.76), and hurricane (16.65)—remain minimal, focusing concern on spring severe weather and seasonal flooding.

Standard insurance with tornado readiness

Wright County residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage and maintain adequate flood coverage, especially if your property sits in or near floodplain areas. Develop a tornado safety plan with a designated safe room, keep emergency supplies ready, and monitor spring weather forecasts closely.

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.