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Woodbury County, IA

RANK #441 / 996  ·  POP 105,526  ·  IA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%

Woodbury County sits in the middle of the pack — stable but not accelerating.

[01] Why Woodbury County?

Woodbury County, Iowa, distinguished by its position along the Missouri River, offers a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes. Sioux City, the county seat, anchors the region, providing a central hub for residents. The county is part of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, with areas like Stone State Park offering extensive hiking trails and views of the unique geological formations. Commute options within the county include public transit services provided by the Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS), which also offers vanpooling for commuters. Several school districts serve the area, including Sergeant Bluff-Luton and Woodbury Central, which are noted for their public schools.

Life in Woodbury County is characterized by a lower cost of living compared to the national average, particularly in housing. The community attracts families and young professionals, with a notable percentage of residents owning their homes. The economy is supported by various sectors, with ongoing investments in community infrastructure and educational and medical facilities. Local initiatives also support new business startups and expansions within rural areas of northwest Iowa.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.1x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+0.1%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+2.1%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.5

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Woodbury County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
105,526
+0.4% YoY
Median Household Income
$68,399
Median Home Value
$158,000
+2.1% 12mo
Median Rent
$913
Average Annual Pay
$54,684
+4.9% YoY
Employment
51,281
-0.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4329
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.46%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$215,000
Days on Market
41
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.6
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
29.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
31.3%
Building Permits (2024)
172
Single-Family Permits
76

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$126M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center
Woodbury County
$70M Completed
Woodbury County Secondary Road Department Five Year Construction Program
Woodbury County Secondary Road Department
$56M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +0.1% 9 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 47 percentile
Income Growth +8.5% 49 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.1% 48 percentile
Home Price Change +2.1% 60 percentile
Rent Growth +2.9% 47 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 72 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Woodbury County, IA a good place to move to?

Woodbury County has a Boom Town Index score of 56/100, ranking #441 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.2% and a median household income of $68,399, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Woodbury County affordable?

The median home value in Woodbury County is $158,000 with median rent at $913/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4329, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Woodbury County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.2%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

Fayette County, KY 66 Plymouth County, MA 66 Wright County, MN 66 Washington County, NY 66 Floyd County, IN 66 Kalamazoo County, MI 66 Warren County, OH 66 Nacogdoches County, TX 66