1st Advantage MortgageVan Buren County households have a median income of $61,161 and median rent of $622 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Van Buren County, IA: the basics
- Van Buren County housing compared with Iowa
- Income in Van Buren County compared with Iowa
- Work, industries and travel time in Van Buren County
- Towns and communities in Van Buren County
- Regional comparison for Van Buren County
- Budget math at the Van Buren County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Van Buren County
- Van Buren County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- A Van Buren County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Van Buren County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Van Buren County, IA: the basics
Van Buren County is home to about 7,241 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 90th most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Spread over 485 square miles, that works out to roughly 14.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Van Buren County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 10 Census places inside Van Buren County, Keosauqua leads by population with about 914; 7 of the 10 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Van Buren County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Van Buren County housing compared with Iowa
A typical Van Buren County rental runs $622 a month including utilities, which is 36% below Iowa. By the Census definition, 47% of Van Buren County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,600, about 1.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 82% of homes.
| Cost | Van Buren County | Iowa figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $622/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,600 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 47% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 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).
Income in Van Buren County compared with Iowa
Half of Van Buren County households take in less than $61,161 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
| Yearly household income | Van Buren County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.9% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -3.3 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. 15.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.488 here. 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 Van Buren County
The biggest employer of Van Buren County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 17% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home.
| Top industries | Van Buren County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 17.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.1% | -7.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +3.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.9% | +4.2 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Van Buren County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Van Buren County
The table lists the 10 largest of 10 Census places in Van Buren County, by population. Together all 10 hold about 3,601 people, so roughly 50% of residents live outside any named place. No Van Buren County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keosauqua | city | 914 | $51,136 | $480 | 1 mi |
| Farmington | city | 540 | $53,333 | $713 | 14 mi |
| Milton | city | 493 | $51,500 | $617 | 12 mi |
| Birmingham | city | 454 | $65,000 | $421 | 9 mi |
| Cantril | city | 335 | $40,000 | $758 | 10 mi |
| Bonaparte | city | 302 | $40,909 | $492 | 9 mi |
| Douds | CDP | 243 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Stockport | city | 210 | $53,125 | $631 | 9 mi |
| Leando | CDP | 74 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Mount Sterling | CDP | 36 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Van Buren County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $51,781 in Clark County to $77,194 in Davis County; 5 of these neighbors top Van Buren County's median. The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | - | $61,161 | $622/mo | 82% |
| Jefferson County, IA | 17 mi | $61,620 | $883/mo | 68% |
| Scotland County, MO | 23 mi | $68,913 | $511/mo | 82% |
| Davis County, IA | 24 mi | $77,194 | $868/mo | 83% |
| Lee County, IA | 26 mi | $62,382 | $835/mo | 76% |
| Henry County, IA | 27 mi | $67,436 | $820/mo | 74% |
| Clark County, MO | 27 mi | $51,781 | $612/mo | 78% |
Budget math at the Van Buren County median
How much room does a median Van Buren County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,097 before taxes
- Median rent: $622, or 12 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,213 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,192 total minus rent leaves $1,570
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Van Buren County
A few patterns in the Van Buren County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 17% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- 47% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Van Buren County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. About 17% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Van Buren County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 17.4% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.7% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Van Buren County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 6.0% |
A Van Buren County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Van Buren County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Van Buren County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Van Buren County
Van Buren County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Van Buren County earn?
The median is $61,161; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Van Buren County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $622 a month; 47% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Van Buren County?
By population: Keosauqua, Farmington, Milton, Birmingham, Cantril. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Van Buren County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Van Buren 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.