1st Advantage MortgageAbout 82% of Warren County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $94,588. 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
- Warren County at a glance
- Income in Warren County compared with Iowa
- How Warren County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Warren County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Warren County
- Regional comparison for Warren County
- Debt-to-income at Warren County's medians
- Before borrowing in Warren County
- More Warren County figures
- Iowa rules that apply in Warren County
- A Warren County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Warren County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Warren County's population at 54,409; only 10 of Iowa's 99 county-level areas are larger. It covers 570 square miles of land, or about 96 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area. Of the 13 Census places inside Warren County, Indianola leads by population with about 16,044; 13 of the 13 are incorporated.
Income in Warren County compared with Iowa
Warren County households have a median income of $94,588 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 2nd of 99 in Iowa.
| Yearly household income | Warren County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.6% | -6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.7% | -5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.7% | +9.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.9% | +2.4 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 48% clear $100,000. 5.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.394 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $94,588 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Warren County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; finance, insurance and real estate is next with 15%. Finance, insurance and real estate stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Warren County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -1.4 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 15.1% | +7.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.0% | -7.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Warren County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Warren County
A typical Warren County rental runs $973 a month including utilities. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 14% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $269,600, about 2.9 times the median household income. 82% of Warren County households own their home and 18% rent.
| Warren County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $973/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $269,600 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% | 3.2% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Warren 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 63% of Warren County residents live in one of the 13. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $57,500 in Martensdale to $162,875 in Cumming. This guide covers each of the 13 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianola | city | 16,044 | $75,453 | $986 | 2 mi |
| Norwalk | city | 14,183 | $102,722 | $838 | 12 mi |
| Hartford | city | 760 | $70,000 | $1,167 | 12 mi |
| Milo | city | 731 | $79,904 | $850 | 7 mi |
| New Virginia | city | 587 | $77,188 | $971 | 13 mi |
| Martensdale | city | 569 | $57,500 | $858 | 9 mi |
| Cumming | city | 545 | $162,875 | $1,163 | 15 mi |
| Lacona | city | 354 | $70,100 | $950 | 14 mi |
| St. Marys | city | 96 | $77,500 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Ackworth | city | 75 | $111,094 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Sandyville | city | 44 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Spring Hill | city | 39 | $86,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Bevington | city | 15 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
Regional comparison for Warren County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Warren County's, from 23 to 35 miles away. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Warren County; Dallas County is highest at $102,379 and Lucas County lowest at $61,793.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren County | - | $94,588 | $973/mo | 82% |
| Madison County, IA | 23 mi | $90,855 | $1,036/mo | 80% |
| Clarke County, IA | 24 mi | $71,641 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Lucas County, IA | 24 mi | $61,793 | $709/mo | 79% |
| Polk County, IA | 24 mi | $83,576 | $1,149/mo | 67% |
| Marion County, IA | 25 mi | $78,680 | $884/mo | 78% |
| Dallas County, IA | 35 mi | $102,379 | $1,311/mo | 69% |
Debt-to-income at Warren County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Warren County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $7,882 a month: gross income for a household at the Warren County median
- Median rent: $973, or 12 cents of every gross dollar
- $2,180: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $973, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Warren County
A few patterns in the Warren County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Higher earners. 48% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- 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).
More Warren County figures
College graduates make up 33% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 2.0%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| People and households | Warren County | Iowa | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.3% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.0% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.3% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.1% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Iowa rules that apply in Warren County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Warren County resident can confirm its license with the Iowa Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Warren County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Warren County residents:
- 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.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Warren County a high-income county?
Its $94,588 median ranks 2nd of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Warren County?
$973 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
I live in a small Warren County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Indianola, Norwalk, Hartford, Milo, New Virginia and 8 more.
Can Warren County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Iowa county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Warren County check a lender's license?
With the Iowa Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.