Monona
Iowa

What stands out

What stands out about Monona County: the home price against local income is in the bottom 8% of American counties (1.4 years of income) and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 13% of American counties (6.3%). Within Iowa it ranks 20th of 99 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Monona County, Iowa. 8,671 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +40).

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 $59,897 a year, lower than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $45,733. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 70% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,276 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $715 a month. Property tax is 1.20% of home value, roughly $1,301 a year on that median home, higher than 72% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 8 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.9 years, shorter than 60% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 13.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 54% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 points. 69% 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 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 39, colder than 72% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 31 out of 100, safer than 69% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 117 Mbps down, slower than 83% 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.