Lee
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Lee County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is in the bottom 8% of American counties ($125K), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%), and high-school completion is in the top 12% of American counties (94%). Within Iowa it ranks 3rd of 99 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lee County, Iowa. 33,442 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -114).

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 $58,094 a year, lower than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,333. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 80% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,208 a year.

Home

The median home costs $125K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $812 a month. Property tax is 1.49% of home value, roughly $1,806 a year on that median home, higher than 85% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 82% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 65% of American counties. There are 38 active physicians in the county, about 11.4 per 10,000 people. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.93 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 59% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 19 points. 63% 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 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 43, colder than 62% of American counties. About 34 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 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 162 Mbps down, slower than 66% 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, 2 breweries.