Benton County Real Estate and Livability Trends
Benton County, Iowa, has seen a notable economic development, evidenced by rising average taxable incomes and escalating home values, which could be attractive for property investors. However, increasing tax liabilities and real estate taxes signal growing fiscal responsibilities. Significant investments in energy-efficient home improvements are reflected in fluctuating residential energy tax... Read more
Benton County Market Trends
Benton County, Iowa has seen an upward trend in median home values, reaching $189,000 in 2022, surpassing both the state and national medians. The county’s residential energy tax credit has fluctuated significantly, peaking at $4,875 in 2018, reflecting substantial investments in energy-efficient home improvements. Average real estate taxes have steadily increased, from $2,433.70 in 2012 to... Read more
Median Value of Occupied Housing Units in Benton County, Iowa Over the Last 8 Years
Benton County, Iowa has seen a consistent upward trend in median home values over the last eight years, culminating at $189,000 in 2022. Compared to the state median of $181,600 and the national median of $179,400 for the same year, Benton County appears to be slightly ahead, potentially marking it as a more attractive market for investment. This growth outpaces both state and national levels, suggesting strong local demand and possibly better overall property values for investors and homeowners looking at Benton County specifically.
Residential Energy Tax Credit Per Tax Return in Benton County, IA Over the Last 9 Years
Benton County, Iowa has seen notable fluctuations in the average residential energy tax credit per tax return over the past nine years. Starting at around $888.64 in 2013, the credit peaked dramatically at $4,875 in 2018, before stabilizing to $1,696.15 in 2021. These shifts indicate a significant increase in investments in energy-efficient home upgrades, making it an appealing location for green-minded property investors and homebuyers looking to benefit from substantial tax incentives.
Average Real Estate Taxes Per Tax Return in Benton County, IA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the last decade, Benton County, Iowa has seen a gradual increase in average real estate taxes per tax return, rising from approximately $2,433.70 in 2012 to around $3,990.57 in 2021. This upward trend might interest those considering property investment or relocation, as it reflects potentially escalating property values and investment returns. For real estate professionals and insurance agents, understanding these tax dynamics is crucial for advising clients on long-term property costs and value appreciation.
Percentage of Farm Returns in Benton County, IA Over the Last 10 Years
The past decade has seen a gradual decline in the percentage of farm tax returns in Benton County, Iowa. Starting from 9.06% in 2012, the figure has steadily decreased to 7.59% by 2021. This trend may hint at shifts in the local agricultural landscape or broader economic factors affecting farming viability in the area. For those looking to invest, build property, or move to Benton County, understanding these subtle changes can be critical for making informed decisions.
Number of Mortgages by Occupancy Type in Benton County, IA Over the Last 5 Years in Benton County
In Benton County, Iowa, principal residence mortgages consistently lead the pack, showing a marked increase in 2021 topping at 1951, while investment properties and second residences remain low but steady. This trend could indicate a strong preference for owner-occupied properties which might reflect stability in the community, making it attractive for families and long-term residents. For investors, the relatively low number of investment property transactions points to less competition and potentially untapped opportunities. Shifts in occupancy type can influence appraisals, insurance policies, and overall market dynamics, impacting everything from property values to service demands.
Economic Outlook
Benton County, Iowa has seen a steady rise in average taxable income per tax return from $59,430.07 in 2013 to $74,940.72 in 2021, suggesting economic development and demographic shifts that may attract property investment and new residents. Alongside this, fluctuations in state and local income taxes show a significant rise post-2017, peaking at $8,925.93 in 2019, which could impact financial planning for potential investors and developers. Additionally, rising tax liabilities, peaking at... Read more
Average Taxable Income per Tax Return in Benton County, IA over the last 9 years
Over the past nine years, Benton County, Iowa has experienced a general upward trend in average taxable income per tax return, rising steadily from $59,430.07 in 2013 to $74,940.72 in 2021. The income growth, especially notable in the jump between 2020 and 2021, could hint at economic developments or demographic shifts. This data might suggest potential prosperity in the area, making it a potentially attractive spot for property investments and new residents.
Average State and Local Income Taxes Per Tax Return in Benton County, IA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the last decade, Benton County, Iowa saw fluctuations in average state and local income taxes per tax return, generally trending upward. While the taxes hovered around $6,000-$6,400 before 2017, there's a noticeable jump starting in 2018, reaching a high of $8,925.93 in 2019 and $8,913.73 in 2021. This spike indicates a significant increase in local tax obligations, likely impacting decisions for potential investors, property developers, and residents considering the area's financial climate.
Average Total Tax Liability Per Tax Return in Benton County, IA Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, tax liability in Benton County, Iowa has seen fluctuations, peaking at $10,162.75 in 2021, a notable increase from the $9,080.04 observed in 2012. Despite some decreases in years like 2018 and 2019, where liabilities dropped to around $8,298.37 and $8,241.58 respectively, the overall trend indicates a gradual rise. This trend is crucial for potential investors and residents, signaling economic changes and the growing fiscal responsibilities within the county. Understanding these tax liability patterns is essential for financial planning and property investments in Benton County.
Cost of Living in Benton County
| Family Size | Housing | Food | Heath Care | Child Care | Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults 4 children | $1,073 | $1,496 | $1,901 | $1,393 | $1,474 |
| 1 adult 4 children | $1,073 | $1,222 | $1,462 | $1,393 | $1,647 |
| 2 adults 3 children | $1,073 | $1,222 | $1,645 | $1,393 | $1,222 |
| 1 adult 3 children | $1,073 | $998 | $1,206 | $1,393 | $1,346 |
| 2 adults 2 children | $795 | $1,000 | $1,389 | $1,225 | $993 |
| 1 adult 2 children | $795 | $747 | $950 | $1,225 | $1,000 |
| 2 adults 1 child | $795 | $791 | $1,133 | $680 | $881 |
| 1 adult 1 child | $795 | $511 | $695 | $680 | $764 |
| 2 adults | $604 | $635 | $878 | $0 | $675 |
| 1 adult | $600 | $346 | $439 | $0 | $572 |
Safety trends & Data
Property crime trends in Benton County, Iowa reveal significant shifts over the past five years. Vandalism spiked dramatically in 2020 with 33 reported incidents, far above the usual count of three or fewer. Larceny-theft incidents have shown a gradual increase, peaking at 10 in 2021. Burglaries have remained relatively stable with a slight uptick, reaching six incidents in 2022. Motor vehicle theft saw a notable rise to nine cases in 2021 but dropped back to two in 2022. These fluctuating... Read more
Property Crime Trends in Benton County, IA Over the Last 5 Years
Property crime trends in Benton County, Iowa show noticeable fluctuations over the past five years. Vandalism saw a dramatic spike in 2020 with 33 incidents, compared to other years where it remained at or below three incidents. Meanwhile, larceny-theft incidents have gradually increased, peaking at ten in 2021. Burglary remains relatively consistent with a slight rise, culminating in six incidents in 2022. Motor vehicle theft saw a substantial increase in 2021 with nine occurrences but dropped to two in 2022. Real estate investors, insurance agents, and prospective residents should keenly observe these trends as they can impact property values, insurance premiums, and overall security perceptions in the area.
Demographics
Benton County, Iowa, saw almost equal numbers of adult males and females in 2022. When it comes to education, a large portion of the population tends to complete high school, with a noticeable drop-off in the numbers achieving graduate or professional degrees. Examining age, the county leans towards a middle-aged demographic with fewer younger adults and children compared to those aged 35-64. Racially, Benton County remains predominantly White, with minimal representation from other racial... Read more
Race Distribution in Benton County, Iowa (2022)
Educational Attainment in Benton County, Iowa (2022)
Age Distribution in Benton County, Iowa
Citizen Population in Benton County, Iowa (2022)
Political Trends & Data
In Benton County, Iowa, the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election results indicate a strong Republican presence, with the party securing approximately 63% of the vote contrasted with the Democratic Party's 35%. Third-party candidates, including Libertarians and Greens, captured less than 2% collectively, pointing to a primarily two-party political environment with little influence from alternative political factions. This might imply a consistent voter base aligned with conservative values and low... Read more
Percentage of Votes in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election by Party
In Benton County, Iowa, the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election showed a strong preference for the Republican Party, which received about 63% of the vote. The Democratic Party garnered around 35%, indicating a considerable gap between the two major parties. Third-party candidates, such as those from the Libertarian and Green parties, secured a minimal share of the vote, collectively totaling less than 2%. This suggests a predominantly two-party dynamic with limited impact from alternative political groups in this particular county.
62.89% of voters voted for the Republican party in the 2020 Presidential Election
35.24% of voters voted for the Democrat party in the 2020 Presidential Election
1.27% of voters voted for the Livertarian party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.20% of voters voted for the Green party in the 2020 Presidential Election
0.40% of voters voted for the Other party in the 2020 Presidential Election
School Data
Benton County, Iowa's student-to-teacher ratio has fluctuated between fourteen and seventeen over the past decade. Notably, the ratio spiked to seventeen in 2018 but has since trended back towards the national average of fourteen. These shifts can influence perceptions of school quality, impacting property values and decisions for families considering relocation. For insurance agents, changes in demographic trends tied to education could also affect risk assessments and policy... Read more
Student-to-teacher ratio in Benton County, Iowa over the last 10 years
Benton County, Iowa's student-to-teacher ratio has shown fluctuations between fourteen and seventeen over the past decade. This ratio consistently hovered near the national average of fourteen until a noticeable spike in 2018 hit seventeen, after which it gradually decreased back towards the national average. For investors, real estate agents, and prospective residents, changes in this ratio might suggest varying classroom experiences, which could impact school quality perceptions and, consequently, property values. Education quality is a key factor for families considering relocation, and for insurance agents, shifts in the demographics of an area could influence risk assessments and policy pricing.
