Delaware
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Delaware County in numbers, start here: homeownership is in the top 8% of American counties (83%), violent crime is in the bottom 10% of American counties (3.1 per 1,000), and unemployment is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.3%). Within Iowa it ranks 8th of 99 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Delaware County, Iowa. 17,523 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -24).

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 $75,896 a year, higher than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,287. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 89% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,884 a year.

Home

The median home costs $240K, pricier than 53% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $684 a month. Property tax is 1.38% of home value, roughly $2,136 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 83% 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 79.1 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 8.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 6.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 81% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 35 points. 77% 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 59 and lows near 37, colder than 81% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 59 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 255 Mbps down, faster than 76% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.