1st Advantage MortgageThe median Greene County household earns $63,409, and 10% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Greene County, IA: the basics
- Work, industries and travel time in Greene County
- Household income in Greene County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Greene County
- Towns and communities in Greene County
- Greene County next to its neighbors
- Greene County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Greene County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Greene County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Greene County
- Steps before you apply in Greene County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Greene County, IA: the basics
With an estimated 8,688 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Greene County ranks 84th of 99 in Iowa for population. Spread over 570 square miles, that works out to roughly 15.3 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Greene County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Jefferson, with about 4,152 residents, or 48% of the county. Because Greene County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in Greene County
The biggest employer of Greene County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (13%). Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Greene County averages 2.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). 15% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Greene County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | -2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.8% | +5.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Greene County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Greene County
The median household income in Greene County is $63,409; statewide it is $75,059, so Greene County runs 16% below Iowa as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Greene County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | +2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +4.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.3% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -3.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Greene County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 9.8%, 1 point lower than the state's 11.1%. None of these numbers decides a Greene County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Greene County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $781 in Greene County versus $972 statewide. 32% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. With a median value of $155,400, a typical Greene County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1954.
| Housing | Greene County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $781/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,400 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.4% | 3.2% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Greene County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in Greene County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 72% of Greene County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $61,667 at the median in Grand Junction, $53,864 in Scranton. Median rent ranges from $754 in Jefferson to $874 in Grand Junction. Live in one of these Greene County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | city | 4,152 | $58,895 | $754 | 2 mi |
| Grand Junction | city | 603 | $61,667 | $874 | 8 mi |
| Scranton | city | 542 | $53,864 | $825 | 8 mi |
| Churdan | city | 427 | $72,500 | $925 | 9 mi |
| Paton | city | 273 | $63,393 | $525 | 11 mi |
| Rippey | city | 196 | $65,000 | $693 | 12 mi |
| Dana | city | 28 | $81,250 | $1,042 | 9 mi |
Greene County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Boone County at 23 miles out to Dallas County at 30. All of the six report a higher median household income than Greene County; Dallas County is highest at $102,379 and Calhoun County lowest at $64,964.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greene County | - | $63,409 | $781/mo | 76% |
| Boone County, IA | 23 mi | $83,531 | $845/mo | 80% |
| Carroll County, IA | 25 mi | $72,930 | $731/mo | 77% |
| Guthrie County, IA | 25 mi | $77,711 | $845/mo | 84% |
| Calhoun County, IA | 27 mi | $64,964 | $723/mo | 81% |
| Webster County, IA | 29 mi | $68,975 | $785/mo | 70% |
| Dallas County, IA | 30 mi | $102,379 | $1,311/mo | 69% |
Greene County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. About 4% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Greene County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.2% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.4% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Greene County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Reading the Greene County data as a borrower
What the Greene County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Consolidating cards in Greene County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Debt-to-income at Greene County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Greene County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Greene County: $5,284
- Rent at the median, $781, takes 15% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,333 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Licensing and complaints for Greene County
Greene County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Greene County
Steps that save money for Greene County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Greene County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Greene County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Greene County earn?
The median is $63,409; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Greene County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $781 a month; 32% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Jefferson?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Greene County, such as Grand Junction, Scranton, Churdan.
Will a Greene County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Greene County residents?
The Iowa Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Iowa; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.