Mahaska
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Mahaska County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the uninsured rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (5.7%), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 12% of American counties (0.4 per 1,000), and home internet speed is in the bottom 13% of American counties (102 Mbps). Within Iowa it ranks 25th of 99 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Mahaska County, Iowa. 22,059 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -82).

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 $65,200 a year, higher than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,503. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 86% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,478 a year.

Home

The median home costs $204K, cheaper than 61% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $807 a month. Property tax is 1.38% of home value, roughly $1,861 a year on that median home, higher than 81% of American counties. 68% 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. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.0 years, longer than 65% of American counties. There are 28 active physicians in the county, about 12.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 5.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.03 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 55% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 47 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% 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 52°F, highs near 63 and lows near 41, colder than 68% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 43 out of 100, safer than 57% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 102 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.