1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Johnson County is $1,122 a month against a median household income of $74,935, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Johnson County, and confirm each one's Iowa license.
On this page
- First look: Johnson County, IA
- How much Johnson County households make
- Johnson County's most unusual numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Johnson County
- Johnson County industries and commutes
- Johnson County communities by population
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Johnson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- $6,245 a month: the Johnson County median budget
- Borrowing situations common in Johnson County
- Who licenses lenders for Johnson County residents
- Four steps for Johnson County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Johnson County, IA
With an estimated 156,639 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Johnson County ranks 4th of 99 in Iowa for population. Land area is 613 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 256 per square mile. Metro area: Iowa City, IA (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (12 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Iowa City, with about 75,752 residents, or 48% of the county.
How much Johnson County households make
$74,935 is the median household income for Johnson County, set against $75,059 for Iowa.
| Households earning | Johnson County | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.2% | -5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.1% | +3.5 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 17.1%, 6 points higher than the state's 11.1%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Johnson County's most unusual numbers
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 55% in Johnson County, the highest of 99 in Iowa. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- Median home value: $308,600 in Johnson County. Only 1 of 99 Iowa counties are higher. High values mean many owners could borrow against equity; weigh that risk carefully.
- Johnson County ranks 3rd highest of 99 Iowa counties for the poverty rate: 17.1%, against 11.1% statewide. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
Rent, home values and ownership in Johnson County
Johnson County rent at the median: $1,122 a month, utilities in ($972 in Iowa). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 56% in Johnson County, 44% statewide. Home values center on $308,600, or 4.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 59% of homes. Nationally, Johnson County's $1,122 rent is 28% above the middle county.
| Measure | Johnson County | Iowa | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,122/mo | $972/mo | 15% higher |
| Median home value | $308,600 | $208,000 | 48% higher |
| Owners | 59% | 72% | -12.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 44% | +12.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | +1.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.8% | 3.2% | +0.6 pts |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Johnson County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 40% of employed Johnson County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Relative to Iowa (24%), education and health care is 16 points bigger in Johnson County (40%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Johnson County. About 65% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Johnson County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 39.9% | +15.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% | -6.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.6% | -2.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Johnson County communities by population
13 Census places fall mainly inside Johnson County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 137,984 residents, leaving about 12% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $58,546 in Iowa City to $123,333 in Shueyville. Live in one of these Johnson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | city | 75,752 | $58,546 | $1,094 | 3 mi |
| Coralville | city | 23,234 | $69,144 | $1,057 | 2 mi |
| North Liberty | city | 21,125 | $102,102 | $1,246 | 5 mi |
| Tiffin | city | 5,737 | $100,952 | $1,224 | 4 mi |
| Solon | city | 3,152 | $113,295 | $1,127 | 11 mi |
| West Branch | city | 2,594 | $92,209 | $1,053 | 13 mi |
| University Heights | city | 1,384 | $111,406 | $1,588 | 2 mi |
| Lone Tree | city | 1,218 | $90,625 | $963 | 15 mi |
| Swisher | city | 1,182 | $100,577 | $1,114 | 13 mi |
| Hills | city | 974 | $83,333 | $1,132 | 8 mi |
| Oxford | city | 779 | $82,639 | $1,068 | 11 mi |
| Shueyville | city | 740 | $123,333 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Frytown | CDP | 113 | $104,911 | n/a | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Iowa County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Louisa County, is 36 miles off. Richest neighbor: Cedar County, $80,602. Poorest: Muscatine County, $69,396. Johnson County: $74,935.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | - | $74,935 | $1,122/mo | 59% |
| Iowa County, IA | 24 mi | $71,223 | $686/mo | 77% |
| Washington County, IA | 25 mi | $75,647 | $879/mo | 74% |
| Cedar County, IA | 25 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
| Muscatine County, IA | 28 mi | $69,396 | $971/mo | 74% |
| Linn County, IA | 28 mi | $77,649 | $945/mo | 74% |
| Louisa County, IA | 36 mi | $77,354 | $775/mo | 80% |
Johnson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Johnson County, 55% of adults have at least a four-year degree (31% in Iowa). The uninsured rate is 4.7%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Measure | Johnson County | Gap to Iowa | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 55.2% | +23.7 pts | +33.0 pts |
| Median age | 31.0 | -7.6 yrs | -10.5 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 17.1% | +6.0 pts | +3.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.7% | -3.0 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 13.7% | +2.4 pts | +5.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | +1.7 pts | +1.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | -0.3 pts | -3.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | +0.2 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Minutes to work | Johnson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.0% |
$6,245 a month: the Johnson County median budget
Here is the Johnson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,245 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,122, which is 18% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $2,248 total minus rent leaves $1,126
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Johnson County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Borrowing situations common in Johnson County
- Johnson County rent burden. 56% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Johnson County borrower sees (free reports).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Who licenses lenders for Johnson County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Johnson County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. State-level detail for Johnson County borrowers is in the Iowa guide.
Four steps for Johnson County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Johnson County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Johnson County-area credit union.
- A Iowa license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Johnson County rank on income in Iowa?
29th of 99, with a median of $74,935. The state median is $75,059.
Can a Johnson County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $1,122 median rent and $6,245 median monthly income, rent alone uses 18%; add other debts before a new payment.
Does this page cover Iowa City?
Yes, along with the other 12 Census places in Johnson County, such as Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin.
Is the fit check different in Johnson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Johnson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Iowa it is the Iowa Division of Banking.