Clayton
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Clayton County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the restaurant count per person is in the top 7% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000) and life expectancy is in the top 13% of American counties (79.4 years). Within Iowa it ranks 3rd of 97 counties for the restaurant count per person.

Where you are

You live in Clayton County, Iowa. 17,123 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -49).

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 $60,441 a year, higher than 50% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,349. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 65% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,297 a year.

Home

The median home costs $272K, pricier than 62% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $773 a month. Property tax is 1.42% of home value, roughly $2,123 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 75% 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 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 2.9 per 10,000 people. 9.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 51% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 29 points. 71% 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 48°F, highs near 58 and lows near 37, colder than 83% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 169 Mbps down, slower than 63% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.