Hamilton
Iowa

What stands out

What stands out about Hamilton County: violent crime is in the bottom 6% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000), the home price against local income is in the bottom 8% of American counties (1.4 years of income), and home internet speed is in the top 11% of American counties (280 Mbps). Within Iowa it ranks 15th of 99 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hamilton County, Iowa. 14,979 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -77).

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 $66,685 a year, higher than 67% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,922. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 73% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,534 a year.

Home

The median home costs $173K, cheaper than 75% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $845 a month. Property tax is 1.39% of home value, roughly $1,611 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 71% 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 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 70% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 6.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 7.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.29 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 87% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 27 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 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 79% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 42 out of 100, safer than 57% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 280 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.