1st Advantage MortgageHenry County households have a median income of $67,436 and median rent of $820 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Iowa license first.
On this page
- Henry County, IA: the basics
- Household income in Henry County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Henry County
- The Henry County job picture
- Henry County towns compared
- How Henry County compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Henry County
- What the numbers mean for Henry County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Henry County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Iowa
- Checklist for Henry County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Henry County, IA: the basics
Henry County is home to about 20,004 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 33rd most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Land area is 434 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 46 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Henry County is not part of any metropolitan area. Mount Pleasant is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 8,951 people (45% of the county total).
Household income in Henry County
Half of Henry County households take in less than $67,436 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Iowa median of $75,059. That places it 69th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Henry County | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.1% | +3.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.5% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Henry County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. 12.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.424 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Henry County
Renters in Henry County pay a median of $820 a month, 16% below the Iowa figure of $972. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. Home values center on $164,300, or 2.4 years of median income. 74% of Henry County households own their home and 26% rent. The median home was built in 1968, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Henry County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $820/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $164,300 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Henry County job picture
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 20%. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 15% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.5% in Henry County. About 82% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Henry County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.8% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.1% | -0.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Henry County towns compared
The table lists the 13 largest of 13 Census places in Henry County, by population. Together all 13 hold about 14,585 people, so roughly 27% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $77,560 at the median in New London, $49,063 in Winfield. This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | city | 8,951 | $61,042 | $826 | 2 mi |
| New London | city | 2,338 | $77,560 | $849 | 9 mi |
| Wayland | city | 1,191 | $70,774 | $814 | 13 mi |
| Winfield | city | 1,007 | $49,063 | $667 | 11 mi |
| Salem | city | 349 | $51,250 | $922 | 10 mi |
| Westwood | city | 130 | $110,833 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Hillsboro | city | 120 | $53,125 | $850 | 13 mi |
| Swedesburg | CDP | 119 | $74,861 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Mount Union | CDP | 111 | $50,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Rome | city | 79 | $39,000 | $1,031 | 7 mi |
| Trenton | CDP | 75 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Olds | city | 72 | $49,375 | $773 | 10 mi |
| Lowell | CDP | 43 | $118,958 | n/a | 12 mi |
How Henry County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 19 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Henry County; Louisa County is highest at $77,354 and Van Buren County lowest at $61,161.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry County | - | $67,436 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Des Moines County, IA | 19 mi | $62,928 | $904/mo | 75% |
| Jefferson County, IA | 22 mi | $61,620 | $883/mo | 68% |
| Louisa County, IA | 22 mi | $77,354 | $775/mo | 80% |
| Lee County, IA | 24 mi | $62,382 | $835/mo | 76% |
| Washington County, IA | 26 mi | $75,647 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Van Buren County, IA | 27 mi | $61,161 | $622/mo | 82% |
People and households in Henry County
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. 4.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Henry County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.0% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.5% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
What the numbers mean for Henry County borrowers
Where the Henry County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Henry County borrower sees (free reports).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Henry County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Debt-to-income at Henry County's medians
Henry County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,620 a month: gross income for a household at the Henry County median
- Housing at the median rent of $820 uses 15%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,203 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checking a lender's license in Iowa
Henry County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
Checklist for Henry County applicants
A short checklist for Henry County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Henry County earn?
The median is $67,436; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Henry County?
$820 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I own my home in Henry County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Mount Pleasant?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in Henry County, such as New London, Wayland, Winfield.
Are Henry County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.