RANK #203 / 996 · POP 153,360 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.0%
Johnson County, Iowa, stands out for its connection to Iowa City, home of the University of Iowa. The county, located in eastern Iowa, is part of the larger Iowa City metropolitan area and the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor. The landscape features rolling uplands, winding ridges, and ravines along the Iowa River, offering natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities at places like F.W. Kent Park and Lake Macbride State Park. Life in Johnson County is shaped by its educational institutions and healthcare providers, which are major employers. The area attracts a diverse population, including families and those seeking educational and career opportunities. The economy is driven by sectors such as education, health, and agriculture, with a focus on corn and soybean production. Recent economic development efforts in Johnson County emphasize supporting local entrepreneurship, improving infrastructure, and expanding broadband access, alongside initiatives to promote sustainability and conservation.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
MidAmerican Energy Solar Triangle Project
MidAmerican Energy
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Solon Wastewater Treatment Plant
City of Solon
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Replay Iowa Project (Iowa City)
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Alpla, Inc. Learning and Development Facility (Iowa City)
Alpla, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
CIVCO Medical Solutions Expansion (Coralville)
CIVCO Medical Solutions
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
North Park Road and Highway 6 Urbanization (Tiffin)
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Johnson County has a Boom Town Index score of 80/100, ranking #203 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $72,977, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Johnson County is $277,800 with median rent at $1,086/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2627, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +4.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.88% of Johnson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.