Ringgold
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Ringgold County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), home internet speed is in the bottom 8% of American counties (85 Mbps), and unemployment is in the bottom 10% of American counties (2.3%). Within Iowa it ranks 34th of 99 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ringgold County, Iowa. 4,690 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -9).

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 $67,898 a year, higher than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,230. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 90% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,580 a year.

Home

The median home costs $181K, cheaper than 71% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $728 a month. Property tax is 1.25% of home value, roughly $1,790 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 53% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 17.1 per 10,000 people. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.00 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 57% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 46 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 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 52°F, highs near 63 and lows near 41, colder than 67% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 85 Mbps down, slower than 92% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.