Dubuque
Iowa

What stands out

Against every county in America, Dubuque County is unusual in three ways: the uninsured rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5.4%), violent crime is in the bottom 6% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000), and high-school completion is in the top 12% of American counties (94%). Within Iowa it ranks 19th of 99 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Dubuque County, Iowa. 98,812 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -31).

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 $73,495 a year, higher than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,669. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 71% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,793 a year.

Home

The median home costs $279K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $932 a month. Property tax is 1.34% of home value, roughly $2,814 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.3 years, longer than 86% of American counties. There are 233 active physicians in the county, about 23.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.10 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 almost evenly. 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 49°F, highs near 59 and lows near 38, colder than 79% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 78 out of 100, riskier than 78% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 237 Mbps down, faster than 67% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 6 museums.