Jackson
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Jackson County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), high-school completion is in the top 13% of American counties (94%), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 15% of American counties (6.5%). Within Iowa it ranks 34th of 99 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Jackson County, Iowa. 19,470 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +13).

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 $69,709 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,236. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,649 a year.

Home

The median home costs $239K, pricier than 52% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $745 a month. Property tax is 1.21% of home value, roughly $1,958 a year on that median home, higher than 73% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 81% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.7 years, longer than 72% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 6.2 per 10,000 people. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 57% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 74% 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 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 40, colder than 76% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 55 out of 100, riskier than 55% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 188 Mbps down, slower than 55% 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.