RANK #346 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 11 IA · POP 106,247
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
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.
Woodbury County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.0% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Woodbury County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $73,658 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IA.
By national standards, Woodbury County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $183,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $981/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Woodbury County are both close to flat — population +0.5% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +3.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.4% of Woodbury County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.