Best counties to live in Iowa

Stephen Matthew Milligan // Wikimedia Commons

Best counties to live in Iowa

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Iowa using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Scott Romine // Wikimedia Commons

#25. O'Brien County

- Population: 13,835
- Median home value: $107,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $585 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $53,703

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Scott Romine // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Plymouth County

- Population: 25,068
- Median home value: $163,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $660 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $67,297

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Nst101 // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Carroll County

- Population: 20,281
- Median home value: $138,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $621 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $59,212

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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Poweshiek County

- Population: 18,388
- Median home value: $141,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $719 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $53,852

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en:User:Cburnett // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Marion County

- Population: 33,172
- Median home value: $157,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $721 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $61,038

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Chuckmor // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Winnebago County

- Population: 10,534
- Median home value: $94,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $620 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $49,870

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Daniel Hartwig // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Marshall County

- Population: 39,964
- Median home value: $106,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $689 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $56,437

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Scott A. Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Buena Vista County

- Population: 20,058
- Median home value: $115,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $706 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $57,125

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Lolwhynot3498 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Grundy County

- Population: 12,299
- Median home value: $130,200 (82% own)
- Median rent: $633 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $68,038

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TheCatalyst31 // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Dickinson County

- Population: 17,127
- Median home value: $194,300 (79% own)
- Median rent: $844 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $59,969

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David Wilson // Wikimedia

#15. Black Hawk County

- Population: 132,393
- Median home value: $147,500 (65% own)
- Median rent: $801 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $53,539

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Ann Sullivan-Larson // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Hancock County

- Population: 10,802
- Median home value: $102,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $642 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $61,761

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en:User:Cburnett // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Jefferson County

- Population: 18,148
- Median home value: $118,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $685 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $47,708

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Lynn Betts // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Warren County

- Population: 50,076
- Median home value: $187,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $807 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $77,048

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Tony Webster // Wikicommons

#11. Woodbury County

- Population: 102,586
- Median home value: $123,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $787 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $59,224

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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Winneshiek County

- Population: 20,262
- Median home value: $177,300 (79% own)
- Median rent: $702 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $65,263

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Jim Roberts // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Bremer County

- Population: 24,864
- Median home value: $165,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $661 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $70,395

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FluffyGryphon // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Dubuque County

- Population: 96,982
- Median home value: $166,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $783 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $63,031

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Jim Roberts // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Linn County

- Population: 223,861
- Median home value: $157,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $761 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $64,903

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formulanone // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Scott County

- Population: 172,446
- Median home value: $163,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $793 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $61,183

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Josejuan05 // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Sioux County

- Population: 34,827
- Median home value: $167,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $726 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $69,844

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Katie Haugland Bowen // Flickr

#4. Polk County

- Population: 479,612
- Median home value: $179,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $910 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $67,637

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Carl Wycoff // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Story County

- Population: 96,941
- Median home value: $185,800 (54% own)
- Median rent: $905 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $56,756

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Stephen Matthew Milligan // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Dallas County

- Population: 87,099
- Median home value: $248,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,045 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $88,479

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Billwhittaker // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Johnson County

- Population: 148,577
- Median home value: $227,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $972 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $62,542

Best counties to live in Iowa