1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Iowa County is $954 a month against a median household income of $82,182, about 14% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Iowa County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Iowa County
- How Iowa County ranks in Wisconsin
- What it costs to live in Iowa County
- How much Iowa County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Iowa County
- The counties around Iowa County
- Places inside Iowa County
- Reading the Iowa County data as a borrower
- Iowa County demographics against Wisconsin
- Debt-to-income, Iowa County edition
- Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
- A Iowa County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Iowa County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Iowa County's population at 23,867; only 47 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 31.3 residents per square mile across 763 square miles of land. Iowa County counts toward the Madison, WI metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Madison, WI include it. Dodgeville is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 5,042 people (21% of the county total).
How Iowa County ranks in Wisconsin
The 4 Iowa County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Wisconsin, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Wisconsin counties match Iowa County on the uninsured rate: 3.4% here, 5.2% for the state, ranking 6th lowest of 72. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Iowa County sits near the top of Wisconsin at 20%, 7th highest of 72. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
- The poverty rate: 7.6% in Iowa County. Only 8 of 72 Wisconsin counties are lower. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
- Iowa County ranks 9th highest of 72 Wisconsin counties for the share of workers who work from home: 13.8%, against 13.1% statewide. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
What it costs to live in Iowa County
Iowa County rent at the median: $954 a month, utilities in ($1,087 in Wisconsin). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 37% in Iowa County, 44% statewide. Iowa County homes are worth $265,000 at the median, a 3.2-to-1 ratio to income. In Iowa County, 77% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Cost | Iowa County | Wisconsin figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $954/mo | $1,087/mo | 12% lower |
| Median home value | $265,000 | $266,500 | level |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | +9.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 44% | -6.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | -0.7 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 11% | -1.9 pts |
Because most Iowa 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.
How much Iowa County households make
The median household income in Iowa County is $82,182; statewide it is $77,485, so Iowa County runs 6% above Wisconsin as a whole. That places it 13th among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Iowa County | +/- vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.9% | -2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.8% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.2% | 0.0 pts |
About 18% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. Iowa County counts about 1,812 residents below the poverty line, 7.6% of the population. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Iowa County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 15%. Relative to Wisconsin (2%), agriculture, forestry and mining is 5 points bigger in Iowa County (7%). The survey's unemployment rate for Iowa County averages 3.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). 34% of Iowa County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 20% need 45 or more.
| Industry | Share of Iowa County workers | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.5% | +3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.2% | -3.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.5% | +5.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The counties around Iowa County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 36 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Iowa County; Dane County is highest at $89,975 and Richland County lowest at $66,420.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa County | - | $82,182 | $954/mo | 77% |
| Lafayette County, WI | 24 mi | $76,462 | $830/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, WI | 30 mi | $66,858 | $813/mo | 70% |
| Richland County, WI | 30 mi | $66,420 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Sauk County, WI | 31 mi | $79,541 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
| Green County, WI | 35 mi | $82,852 | $867/mo | 76% |
| Dane County, WI | 36 mi | $89,975 | $1,398/mo | 57% |
Places inside Iowa County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 62% of Iowa County residents live in one of the 13. Incomes vary by place: $113,542 at the median in Barneveld, $55,833 in Muscoda. Rent is cheapest in Linden ($500) and steepest in Dodgeville ($999). Dodgeville and every other Iowa County community use this county guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgeville | city | 5,042 | $72,288 | $999 | 2 mi |
| Mineral Point | city | 2,559 | $81,000 | $877 | 10 mi |
| Barneveld | village | 1,416 | $113,542 | $868 | 12 mi |
| Muscoda | village | 1,151 | $55,833 | $727 | 20 mi |
| Arena | village | 883 | $69,063 | $886 | 16 mi |
| Highland | village | 867 | $67,344 | $735 | 13 mi |
| Ridgeway | village | 594 | $88,125 | $882 | 7 mi |
| Linden | village | 553 | $62,273 | $500 | 9 mi |
| Avoca | village | 473 | $53,750 | $908 | 16 mi |
| Cobb | village | 403 | $79,196 | $1,063 | 10 mi |
| Hollandale | village | 327 | $71,250 | $743 | 13 mi |
| Rewey | village | 238 | $55,000 | $900 | 17 mi |
| Edmund | CDP | 187 | $54,773 | $953 | 7 mi |
Reading the Iowa County data as a borrower
Where the Iowa County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Car trouble. For Iowa County drivers (20% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Iowa County demographics against Wisconsin
28% of Iowa County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Iowa County | Gap to Wisconsin | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0 | +3.8 yrs | +2.5 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.4% | -4.9 pts | +6.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 4.8% | -1.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.4% | -1.8 pts | -4.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -2.1 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Work from home | 13.8% | +0.7 pts | +5.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.6% | -3.0 pts | -5.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -0.1 pts | -1.3 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
Debt-to-income, Iowa County edition
How much room does a median Iowa County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $6,848 a month: gross income for a household at the Iowa County median
- Less median rent of $954, which is 14% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,991 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Wisconsin license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide.
A Iowa County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Iowa County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
Next step up from Iowa County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Iowa County earn?
The median is $82,182; 39% earn $100,000 or more and 18% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Can a Iowa County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $954 median rent and $6,848 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live near Dodgeville. Which guide is mine?
This one. Dodgeville and the rest of Iowa County have no separate city guide.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Iowa County or elsewhere in Wisconsin, the same rules apply.
Is there a Iowa County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Wisconsin it is the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.