Story County, Iowa
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Story County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Story County
Income Verdict
Story County has a median household income of $69,006 and per capita income of $37,933 — a gap of $31,073, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $1,019/month and a median household income of $69,006, rent consumes approximately 17.7% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
A median household income of $69,006 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $37,933 is in line with national norms for individual earners.
Neighbor Context
Story County earns approximately 1.2% below the Iowa state median household income of $69,830.
Data Story
About Household Income in Story County, Iowa
Story County income meets national average
Story County's median household income of $69,006 falls about 7.6% below the national median of $74,755. However, Story's presence as a college town with Iowa State University boosts overall earnings compared to purely rural counties.
Slightly below Iowa average
Story County's $69,006 median household income sits about $820 below Iowa's state average of $69,830. This near-parity reflects the county's mixed economy of university employment, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Mid-tier earnings in regional context
Story County's $69,006 income exceeds Taylor ($67,279), Tama ($67,955), Shelby ($67,690), and Union ($56,813) but trails Sac ($70,991), Scott ($76,363), and Sioux ($84,736). Story's presence as a college hub differentiates it from purely agricultural neighbors.
Higher homes, higher housing costs
Story County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% is the highest among these eight counties, driven by median home values of $243,600—reflecting Iowa State's presence and demand. Strong income growth is necessary to maintain housing affordability here.
Education investment pays long-term dividends
Story County's university presence creates unique pathways to higher earnings through education and advanced degrees. Residents should prioritize workforce development and skills training while building emergency savings to offset higher housing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.