RANK #65 / 996 · POP 98,812 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.2%
Dubuque County, Iowa, is distinguished by its location in the Driftless Area, a region of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and river valleys untouched by glaciers. The city of Dubuque, the county seat, sits along the Mississippi River, serving as a commercial and cultural center for the Tri-State Area where Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin meet. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including parks, preserves, and trails for hiking, biking, and kayaking, notably at the Mines of Spain State Park and along the Heritage Trail. Life in Dubuque County offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery. The public schools are well-regarded, with districts like Dubuque Community School District and Western Dubuque Community School District serving local families. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, has diversified to include logistics, healthcare, finance, insurance, higher education, and information services. Recent economic developments show continued investment in manufacturing and other sectors, contributing to a stable job market.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gardner 69 kV Substation Battery Storage
Unknown
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Dubuque Gate & Pump Station Flood Mitigation Project
City of Dubuque
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Dubuque County has a Boom Town Index score of 94/100, ranking #65 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.2% and a median household income of $73,495, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Dubuque County is $210,300 with median rent at $912/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3495, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.2%. Home values changed +6.2% in the past 12 months.