Chickasaw
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Chickasaw County apart from the other 3,142 counties: home internet speed is in the bottom 8% of American counties (82 Mbps), violent crime is in the bottom 9% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000), and homeownership is in the top 11% of American counties (82%). Within Iowa it ranks 4th of 99 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Chickasaw County, Iowa. 11,957 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -92).

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 $72,734 a year, higher than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,425. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 83% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,764 a year.

Home

The median home costs $221K, cheaper than 55% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $719 a month. Property tax is 1.14% of home value, roughly $1,723 a year on that median home, higher than 69% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 91% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 4 active physicians in the county, about 3.3 per 10,000 people. 8.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 68% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 31 points. 73% 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 47°F, highs near 57 and lows near 36, colder than 85% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 39 out of 100, safer than 61% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 82 Mbps down, slower than 92% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.