Carroll
Iowa

What stands out

Against every county in America, Carroll County is unusual in three ways: the average commute is in the bottom 2% of American counties (13 minutes), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (5.0%), and unemployment is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.0%). Within Iowa it ranks 1st of 46 counties for the average commute, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Carroll County, Iowa. 20,728 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -9).

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 $68,041 a year, higher than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,662. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 96% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 13 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,586 a year.

Home

The median home costs $211K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $682 a month. Property tax is 1.09% of home value, roughly $1,767 a year on that median home, higher than 66% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.6 years, longer than 81% of American counties. There are 34 active physicians in the county, about 16.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 5.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 67% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 38 points. 74% 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 39, colder than 76% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 63 out of 100, riskier than 63% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 149 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.