1st Advantage MortgageIn Humboldt County, Iowa, the typical household earns $71,946 a year and the typical rent is $744. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Iowa before sharing details.
On this page
- Humboldt County, IA: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Humboldt County
- What Humboldt County households earn
- Housing costs in Humboldt County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Humboldt County
- Room for a loan payment in Humboldt County
- Who lives in Humboldt County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Humboldt County
- Steps before you apply in Humboldt County
- Who licenses lenders for Humboldt County residents
- More guides for Humboldt County
- Frequently asked questions
Humboldt County, IA: the basics
Roughly 9,591 residents live in Humboldt County, Iowa, 78th by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 434 square miles, that works out to roughly 22.1 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (11 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Humboldt, with about 4,771 residents, or 50% of the county. Because Humboldt County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Employment and commuting in Humboldt County
Education and health care employs 18% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.0% in Humboldt County. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Only 4.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Humboldt County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -6.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.3% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +3.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.0% | +4.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What Humboldt County households earn
Half of Humboldt County households take in less than $71,946 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Iowa median of $75,059. In the state ranking that is 42nd of 99.
| Household income | Humboldt County | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.6% | +3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.1% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.9% | -0.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Humboldt County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. 12.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Humboldt County median.
Housing costs in Humboldt County
Renters in Humboldt County pay a median of $744 a month, 23% below the Iowa figure of $972. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. Home values center on $155,800, or 2.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 77%. The median home was built in 1961, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Humboldt County | Iowa | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $744/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,800 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 20% | n/a |
Because most Humboldt County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Humboldt County's, from 24 to 31 miles away. Income ranges from $61,875 in Pocahontas County to $72,781 in Palo Alto County; 1 of these neighbors top Humboldt County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt County | - | $71,946 | $744/mo | 77% |
| Wright County, IA | 24 mi | $67,190 | $790/mo | 77% |
| Webster County, IA | 24 mi | $68,975 | $785/mo | 70% |
| Pocahontas County, IA | 24 mi | $61,875 | $832/mo | 77% |
| Kossuth County, IA | 30 mi | $67,697 | $859/mo | 79% |
| Hancock County, IA | 31 mi | $70,601 | $736/mo | 82% |
| Palo Alto County, IA | 31 mi | $72,781 | $638/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Humboldt County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Humboldt County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 7,387 residents, leaving about 23% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Humboldt County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt | city | 4,771 | $74,500 | $740 | 4 mi |
| Dakota City | city | 752 | $60,417 | $965 | 4 mi |
| Livermore | city | 416 | $66,250 | $845 | 6 mi |
| Bode | city | 379 | $59,531 | $647 | 7 mi |
| Lu Verne | city | 318 | $51,250 | $883 | 11 mi |
| Thor | city | 257 | $57,305 | $1,075 | 10 mi |
| Renwick | city | 229 | $52,125 | $746 | 12 mi |
| Rutland | city | 120 | $85,625 | $775 | 5 mi |
| Bradgate | city | 104 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Ottosen | city | 31 | $41,667 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Hardy | city | 10 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Humboldt County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Humboldt County's medians:
- $5,996 a month: gross income for a household at the Humboldt County median
- Less median rent of $744, which is 12% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,414 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Humboldt County's.
Who lives in Humboldt County, in numbers
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Humboldt County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.4% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.2% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Humboldt County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Humboldt County
What the Humboldt County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Steps before you apply in Humboldt County
Steps that save money for Humboldt County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Humboldt County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Humboldt County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
More guides for Humboldt County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Humboldt County a high-income county?
Its $71,946 median ranks 42nd of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Humboldt County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $744 a month; 34% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Humboldt County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Humboldt, Dakota City, Livermore, Bode, Lu Verne and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in Humboldt County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Humboldt 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.