Van Buren
Iowa

What stands out

If you had to describe Van Buren County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), homeownership is in the top 6% of American counties (83%), and home internet speed is in the bottom 8% of American counties (83 Mbps). Within Iowa it ranks 34th of 99 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Van Buren County, Iowa. 7,207 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7).

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 $58,417 a year, lower than 56% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,260. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 72% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,220 a year.

Home

The median home costs $190K, cheaper than 67% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $738 a month. Property tax is 1.30% of home value, roughly $1,400 a year on that median home, higher than 77% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 66% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 73% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 12.5 per 10,000 people. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.17 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 58% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 70% 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 62 and lows near 42, colder than 67% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 27 out of 100, safer than 73% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 83 Mbps down, slower than 92% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.