Black Hawk
Iowa

What stands out

What stands out about Black Hawk County: the average commute is in the bottom 7% of American counties (15 minutes), home internet speed is in the top 8% of American counties (290 Mbps), and the property tax rate is in the top 11% of American counties (1.59%). Within Iowa it ranks 8th of 46 counties for the average commute, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Black Hawk County, Iowa. 131,041 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -226).

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 $62,329 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,631. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 68% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 15 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,369 a year.

Home

The median home costs $189K, cheaper than 67% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $943 a month. Property tax is 1.59% of home value, roughly $2,739 a year on that median home, higher than 89% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.1 years, longer than 65% of American counties. There are 340 active physicians in the county, about 25.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.79 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 74% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 9 points. 68% 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 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 79% of American counties. About 35 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 290 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 5 museums.