Story County, Iowa
Among the top 17% of US counties for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 10% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 27% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 51% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 83% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 35% of US counties
- top 10% for commute time
- top 17% for walkability
- bottom 12% for estimated total tax burden
Story County is a county in Iowa with about 99,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include commute time, walkability, and comfortable days. It rates lower on sunny days and estimated total tax burden.
Official websitestorycountyiowa.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
68%48%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.8 in1.2 in
humid 95%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$66k65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 44% of US counties
Home Value$229k75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$991better than 24% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 18% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.51%better than 14% of US counties
Income Tax6.00%better than 21% of US counties
Sales Tax6.94%better than 70% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden13.51%better than 12% of US counties
Unemployment5.6%better than 34% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F13th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F28th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation37.7 in38th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall29.9 inbetter than 29% of US counties
Sunny Days194 daysbetter than 13% of US counties
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 51% of US counties
Comfortable Days91 daysbetter than 80% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk68.8better than 30% of US counties
School Quality70.2better than 74% of US counties
Violent Crime616/100kbetter than 62% of US counties
Property Crime1187/100kbetter than 37% of US counties
Community
Population98,57381st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age26.51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2952nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.1089th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+189th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)82.5%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.4%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.8%41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)7.3%97th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.1%65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time18 minbetter than 90% of US counties
Walkability7.6/20better than 83% of US counties
Airport Distance135 mibetter than 31% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access77.5%better than 22% of US counties
Amenities Nearby2.03better than 47% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 60% of US counties
Frequently asked questions
- Is Story County an affordable place to live?
- Story County is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 44% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Story County?
- The median home value in Story County is $229k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Story County?
- Median household income in Story County is $66k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Story County?
- Median gross rent in Story County is $991 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Story County safe?
- Story County is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 616/100k (better than 62%). Property crime is 1187/100k.
- What is the weather like in Story County?
- Story County averages 74°F in July and 20°F in January, with 37.7 in of annual precipitation and about 194 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Story County?
- Public-school quality in Story County is above average, scoring better than 74% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Story County?
- The average one-way commute in Story County is 18 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)