Black Hawk County, Iowa
Among the top 6% of US counties for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 31% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 56% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 19% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 79% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 94% of US counties
- top 6% for cost of living
- top 6% for commute time
- bottom 7% for air quality
Black Hawk County is a county in Iowa with about 131,000 residents. It grades A for lifestyle & connectivity and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include cost of living, commute time, and amenities nearby. It rates lower on property tax rate and air quality.
Official websiteco.black-hawk.ia.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
cold
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78%53%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.8 in1.3 in
humid 91%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$62k55th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$41kbetter than 94% of US counties
Home Value$173k57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$932better than 30% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 43% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.59%better than 11% of US counties
Income Tax6.00%better than 21% of US counties
Sales Tax6.94%better than 70% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden12.68%better than 14% of US counties
Unemployment5.2%better than 40% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation37.5 in37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall38.8 inbetter than 21% of US counties
Sunny Days233 daysbetter than 46% of US counties
Summer Humidity64°Fbetter than 58% of US counties
Comfortable Days90 daysbetter than 78% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk76.6better than 23% of US counties
Air Quality53 AQIbetter than 7% of US counties
School Quality60.4better than 61% of US counties
Violent Crime1001/100kbetter than 35% of US counties
Property Crime1418/100kbetter than 28% of US counties
Community
Population131,04185th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.510th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3257th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9729th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven13th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)79.4%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)9.6%76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.7%49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.6%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.6%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 94% of US counties
Walkability7.8/20better than 85% of US counties
Airport Distance173 mibetter than 19% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.8%better than 72% of US counties
Amenities Nearby11.22better than 88% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 71% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Black Hawk County an affordable place to live?
- Black Hawk County is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $41k, better than 94% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Black Hawk County?
- The median home value in Black Hawk County is $173k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Black Hawk County?
- Median household income in Black Hawk County is $62k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Black Hawk County?
- Median gross rent in Black Hawk County is $932 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Black Hawk County safe?
- Black Hawk County is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1001/100k (better than 35%). Property crime is 1418/100k.
- What is the weather like in Black Hawk County?
- Black Hawk County averages 74°F in July and 19°F in January, with 37.5 in of annual precipitation and about 233 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Black Hawk County?
- Public-school quality in Black Hawk County is above average, scoring better than 61% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Black Hawk County?
- The average one-way commute in Black Hawk County is 17 min.
Other counties in Iowa
Explore Iowa
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)