Buchanan County, Iowa
Among the top 9% of US counties for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 49% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 64% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 66% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 37% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 91% of US counties
- top 11% for amenities nearby
- top 18% for unemployment
- bottom 17% for airport distance
Buchanan County is a county in Iowa with about 21,000 residents. It grades A for lifestyle & connectivity and C for getting around. Standout strengths include amenities nearby, unemployment, and comfortable days. It rates lower on property tax rate and airport distance.
Official websiteco.buchanan.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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79%54%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.9 in1.3 in
humid 90%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$73k80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$44kbetter than 62% of US counties
Home Value$166k54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$788better than 57% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 44% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.38%better than 19% of US counties
Income Tax6.00%better than 21% of US counties
Sales Tax6.94%better than 70% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden11.40%better than 21% of US counties
Unemployment3.0%better than 82% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation37.8 in38th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall34.2 inbetter than 25% of US counties
Sunny Days235 daysbetter than 48% of US counties
Summer Humidity64°Fbetter than 57% of US counties
Comfortable Days92 daysbetter than 82% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk24.0better than 74% of US counties
School Quality46.2better than 30% of US counties
Violent Crime559/100kbetter than 66% of US counties
Property Crime559/100kbetter than 69% of US counties
Community
Population20,63143rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.532nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.062nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0054th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2132nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)95.3%96th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.8%31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)1.9%14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.1%13th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)2.0%16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time22 minbetter than 68% of US counties
Walkability6.0/20better than 47% of US counties
Airport Distance181 mibetter than 17% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.0%better than 61% of US counties
Amenities Nearby11.63better than 89% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 74% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Buchanan County an affordable place to live?
- Buchanan County is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $44k, better than 62% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Buchanan County?
- The median home value in Buchanan County is $166k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Buchanan County?
- Median household income in Buchanan County is $73k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Buchanan County?
- Median gross rent in Buchanan County is $788 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Buchanan County safe?
- Buchanan County is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 559/100k (better than 66%). Property crime is 559/100k.
- What is the weather like in Buchanan County?
- Buchanan County averages 74°F in July and 20°F in January, with 37.8 in of annual precipitation and about 235 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Buchanan County?
- Public-school quality in Buchanan County is below average, scoring better than 30% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Buchanan County?
- The average one-way commute in Buchanan County is 22 min.
Other counties in Iowa
Explore Iowa
Data sources
- 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)