RANK #120 / 996 NAT · #3 / 11 IA · POP 98,812
1YR FORECAST: +4.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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 ranks #120 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 88/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $73,495 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Dubuque County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $210,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $912/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Dubuque County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +6.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.38% of Dubuque County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values climbed +6.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Dubuque County is now valued at $210,300. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.