Story
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Story County in numbers, start here: high-school completion is among the highest in America (97%), life expectancy is in the top 3% of American counties (81.8 years), and homeownership is in the bottom 4% of American counties (56%). Within Iowa it ranks 1st of 99 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Story County, Iowa. 98,573 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -380).

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 $66,197 a year, higher than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,615. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 95% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,515 a year.

Home

The median home costs $295K, pricier than 68% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $980 a month. Property tax is 1.51% of home value, roughly $3,453 a year on that median home, higher than 85% of American counties. 56% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.8 years, longer than 97% of American counties. There are 222 active physicians in the county, about 22.5 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 3.47 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 97% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 17 points. 68% 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 61 and lows near 39, colder than 74% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 76 out of 100, riskier than 76% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 215 Mbps down, faster than 57% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 3 museums.