Audubon
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Audubon County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the home price against local income is in the bottom 5% of American counties (1.3 years of income), unemployment is in the bottom 10% of American counties (2.3%), and the average commute is in the bottom 13% of American counties (17 minutes). Within Iowa it ranks 6th of 99 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Audubon County, Iowa. 5,651 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -25).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $54,973 a year, lower than 67% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,592. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 90% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,089 a year.

Home

The median home costs $156K, cheaper than 82% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $705 a month. Property tax is 1.22% of home value, roughly $1,223 a year on that median home, higher than 74% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 86% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 5.3 per 10,000 people. 6.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.03 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 56% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 78% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 61 and lows near 38, colder than 77% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 225 Mbps down, faster than 61% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.