1st Advantage MortgageThe median Taylor County household earns $67,740, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Who lives in Taylor County
- How Taylor County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Taylor County
- How Taylor County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Taylor County
- People and households in Taylor County
- What the numbers mean for Taylor County borrowers
- Budget math at the Taylor County median
- Iowa rules that apply in Taylor County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Taylor County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Taylor County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Taylor County's population at 5,868; only 95 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 532 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Taylor County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Taylor County, Bedford leads by population with about 1,336; 7 of the 8 are incorporated. Because Taylor County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Taylor County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 23%. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward manufacturing (23% against 15%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.9% in Taylor County. Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Taylor County workers | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.5% | +7.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.0% | +5.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 6.0% | +2.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
The median household income in Taylor County is $67,740; statewide it is $75,059, so Taylor County runs 10% below Iowa as a whole.
| Households earning | Taylor County | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.2% | +2.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.8% | +7.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.4% | -4.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -4.9 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 11.0%, the same as the state's 11.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.421 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Taylor County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Taylor County
Renters in Taylor County pay a median of $765 a month, 21% below the Iowa figure of $972. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Home values center on $117,200, or 1.7 years of median income. 78% of Taylor County households own their home and 22% rent.
| Housing | Taylor County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $765/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $117,200 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 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).
How Taylor County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Adams County at 20 miles out to Union County at 31. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Taylor County; Ringgold County is highest at $73,346 and Worth County lowest at $47,847. The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | - | $67,740 | $765/mo | 78% |
| Adams County, IA | 20 mi | $71,875 | $893/mo | 77% |
| Worth County, MO | 23 mi | $47,847 | $381/mo | 82% |
| Page County, IA | 23 mi | $57,953 | $705/mo | 71% |
| Ringgold County, IA | 24 mi | $73,346 | $710/mo | 78% |
| Nodaway County, MO | 28 mi | $59,315 | $786/mo | 62% |
| Union County, IA | 31 mi | $57,772 | $721/mo | 72% |
Towns and communities in Taylor County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 43% of Taylor County residents live in one of the 8. This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | city | 1,336 | $60,781 | $764 | 5 mi |
| New Market | city | 397 | $50,000 | $832 | 11 mi |
| Clearfield | city | 396 | $48,250 | $713 | 12 mi |
| Gravity | city | 128 | $54,500 | $888 | 3 mi |
| Blockton | city | 122 | $78,750 | $830 | 14 mi |
| Sharpsburg | city | 83 | $71,250 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Conway | city | 35 | $21,771 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Athelstan | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
People and households in Taylor County
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 3.5%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Indicator | Taylor County | All of Iowa | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.4% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.0% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Taylor County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
What the numbers mean for Taylor County borrowers
Where the Taylor County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Budget math at the Taylor County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Taylor County's medians:
- $5,645 a month: gross income for a household at the Taylor County median
- 14% goes to median rent ($765)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,267 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Iowa rules that apply in Taylor County
The Iowa Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Iowa license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Taylor County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Taylor County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Taylor County?
$67,740 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,059 for Iowa. It ranks 65th of 99 in the state.
What do renters pay in Taylor County?
$765 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Taylor County?
By population: Bedford, New Market, Clearfield, Gravity, Blockton. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Will a Taylor 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 Taylor 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.