Audubon County

Audubon County is located in west-central Iowa, part of the state’s rolling prairie region between the Missouri River valley and the central Iowa metropolitan corridor. Established in 1851 and organized in 1855, the county developed as a predominantly agricultural area shaped by railroad-era town growth and surrounding farm settlement. Audubon County is small in population, with roughly 5,500 residents (2020 census), and is characterized by a largely rural landscape of crop fields, pastureland, and small communities.

The county seat is Audubon, the largest town and primary center for county government and services. Local economic activity is anchored in row-crop agriculture and related agribusiness, with additional employment in small-scale manufacturing, education, and public services. Cultural and community life reflects the traditions of rural Iowa, with civic institutions centered on schools, churches, and local organizations.

Audubon County is a rural county in west-central Iowa, located in the state’s “Loess Hills and rolling prairie” region west of the Des Moines metro area. The county seat is Audubon, and county government information is published through the Audubon County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov), Audubon County’s population statistics are reported through decennial census counts and annual American Community Survey (ACS) profiles. Exact figures for population size should be taken from the most recent county profile tables in data.census.gov (e.g., 2020 Decennial Census counts and the latest ACS 1-year/5-year county profile releases), which provide the official county-level totals.

Age & Gender

Age distribution and gender ratio for Audubon County are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in ACS and decennial profile tables accessible via data.census.gov. These tables provide:

• Population by age cohorts (commonly under 18, 18–64, and 65+; plus finer age bands)
• Sex by age, and overall male/female shares

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County-level racial and ethnic composition (race alone and in combination, Hispanic or Latino origin) is reported in U.S. Census Bureau decennial and ACS datasets available through data.census.gov. Standard Census reporting includes:

• Race categories (e.g., White, Black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Some Other Race, Two or More Races)
• Ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino, Not Hispanic or Latino), which is reported separately from race

Household Data

Household and family characteristics for Audubon County are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau through ACS tables on data.census.gov, including commonly used measures such as:

• Total households and average household size
• Household type (family vs. nonfamily; married-couple households; single-parent households)
• Presence of children and older adults in households

Housing Data

Housing stock and occupancy characteristics are also available for Audubon County from the U.S. Census Bureau via data.census.gov, including:

• Total housing units
• Occupancy status (owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied; vacant units)
• Selected housing characteristics (e.g., structure type, year built, housing costs in ACS profile tables)

Source Notes (County-Level Availability)

Audubon County has standard county-level demographic coverage in U.S. Census Bureau products, with official counts from the decennial census and annually updated ACS estimates (most reliably from ACS 5-year tables for smaller-population counties). All requested items (population, age, sex, race/ethnicity, households, housing) are published for counties through data.census.gov.

Audubon County is a sparsely populated rural county in southwest Iowa, where longer distances between homes and providers can constrain fixed-line deployment and make digital communication more dependent on available broadband or mobile coverage.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are generally not published, so email access trends are inferred from proxy indicators such as broadband subscriptions, household computer access, and age structure from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov).

Digital access indicators show the share of households with broadband subscriptions and computing devices is the primary predictor of routine email use; gaps in either device access or subscription reduce adoption. Age distribution also matters: older populations typically exhibit lower rates of regular internet and email use than prime working-age adults, making counties with higher median ages more likely to have lower overall email engagement. Gender composition is usually close to parity and is not a primary driver relative to age and connectivity in most county-level digital access analyses.

Connectivity constraints in rural Iowa commonly include fewer wired provider options, higher per-premise build costs, and reliance on fixed wireless or cellular service; planning context is documented through Iowa’s statewide broadband resources at the Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer (Broadband).

Audubon County is a rural county in west-central Iowa, with small towns and extensive agricultural land use. Low population density and long distances between settlements typically increase the cost of building and maintaining cellular infrastructure, and rolling terrain plus vegetation and farm structures can create localized signal variability. These geographic conditions affect network availability (where service exists and at what quality) separately from household adoption (whether residents subscribe to mobile broadband and use smartphones).

County context relevant to mobile connectivity

• Rural settlement pattern: Audubon County is characterized by dispersed housing outside small incorporated places, which tends to reduce the number of potential subscribers per tower site and can limit competitive buildout.
• Land use and terrain: Predominantly agricultural landscapes with gently rolling terrain; coverage gaps often occur along low-lying areas and at the county’s edges where fewer towers serve fewer people.
• Population density: Low density generally correlates with fewer cell sites per square mile and a higher share of users relying on a single provider with usable coverage.

Primary sources for baseline county geography and population include the U.S. Census Bureau’s county profiles and data tools (for example, Census.gov QuickFacts and data.census.gov).

Network availability (coverage and technology in place)

Network availability describes where mobile networks can be used and what radio technologies are present (voice, LTE/4G, 5G), independent of whether households subscribe.

4G/LTE availability

• General pattern in rural Iowa: LTE is typically the baseline technology providing wide-area coverage, with performance varying by provider and spectrum holdings. In rural counties, LTE may be available broadly outdoors, with more variable indoor performance in fringe areas.
• County-level evidence sources: The most widely used public sources for modeled, provider-reported mobile coverage are:
  • The FCC’s broadband mapping program, including mobile availability layers and provider information, accessible via the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Iowa’s statewide broadband resources that reference FCC and state-collected information, including the Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer broadband office.

Limitations: FCC mobile coverage is based on standardized propagation modeling and provider filings; it indicates availability but does not guarantee service quality in every location (especially indoors) and does not measure subscription or usage.

5G availability

• Typical rural deployment pattern: In rural counties, 5G availability is often concentrated along highways and near population centers and may rely on low-band 5G that behaves similarly to LTE in coverage footprint. Higher-capacity 5G layers (mid-band/mmWave) are generally more common in larger urban areas.
• How to document county-specific availability: Provider-by-provider 5G footprints and the technology type can be reviewed in the FCC National Broadband Map. The map supports location-based checks; it is the primary public reference for distinguishing 4G/LTE versus 5G availability by area.

Limitations: Public datasets generally do not provide a definitive countywide measure of 5G “quality” (throughput, latency) at a fine-grained level; they primarily represent modeled coverage.

Common rural connectivity constraints affecting availability

• Backhaul constraints: Rural towers may be limited by available fiber or microwave backhaul, which can cap speeds even when signal is present.
• Site spacing and indoor coverage: Larger cell sizes in rural areas can increase the likelihood that indoor service is weaker farther from towers.
• Topography and clutter: Small elevation changes, tree lines, and building materials can cause localized dead zones that are not always captured in availability maps.

Household adoption and mobile penetration (subscription and use)

Household adoption describes whether people subscribe to mobile services, have smartphones, and use mobile internet. County-level “mobile penetration” is often not published as a single metric; instead, adoption is measured through survey-based indicators.

Available adoption indicators (county-level where available)

• Households with cellular data plans / smartphone reliance: The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) includes indicators related to internet subscriptions, including households with cellular data plans and households that are “smartphone-only” for internet access (table availability and variable names can change by release). County estimates can be retrieved through data.census.gov.
• Internet subscription types: ACS tables on “types of internet subscriptions” are commonly used to distinguish cellular data plans from cable, DSL, fiber, or satellite. These data describe adoption, not coverage.

Limitations:

• Sampling error in small counties: Audubon County’s smaller population can produce wider margins of error in ACS estimates, particularly for detailed subscription categories. ACS results should be interpreted with attention to margins of error and multi-year estimates.

Distinguishing adoption from availability

• Availability: An area can have LTE/5G coverage on paper but still have low adoption due to cost, device availability, digital literacy, or preference for fixed broadband.
• Adoption: A household can subscribe to a cellular data plan even when the local network is limited, resulting in constrained performance, data caps, or reliance on external locations for reliable service.

Mobile internet usage patterns (how mobile networks are used)

County-specific usage-pattern datasets (e.g., time-on-network, app categories, average data consumed) are typically proprietary. Public sources describe usage indirectly through subscription types and broadband availability.

Typical rural patterns reflected in public indicators

• LTE as the default mobile data layer: In rural counties, LTE commonly remains the predominant layer for day-to-day mobile data use.
• 5G use where available: Where low-band 5G is deployed, user devices may show “5G” while experiencing performance similar to LTE depending on spectrum and backhaul.
• Smartphone-only connectivity: ACS indicators on households that rely on smartphones for internet access are used to identify households that may depend on mobile networks instead of fixed broadband, which can be more prevalent where fixed broadband options are limited or costly.

Relevant public references for broadband context in Iowa include the State of Iowa broadband office and the FCC mapping portal (FCC National Broadband Map).

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

Public, county-level device-type breakdowns (smartphone vs. basic phone vs. hotspot devices) are limited. The most common publicly accessible proxies are ACS measures of:

• Smartphone as a means of internet access (households that use a smartphone to access the internet).
• Cellular data plan subscriptions (households reporting a cellular data plan as part of their internet subscription mix).

These measures can be compiled for Audubon County through data.census.gov, but they do not fully enumerate device ownership types such as dedicated mobile hotspots, tablets with cellular plans, or enterprise/IoT connections.

Limitations:

• No definitive public county inventory of “basic phones” vs. “smartphones”: Such device ownership details are more commonly available in commercial market research rather than public administrative datasets.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Audubon County

Public datasets generally support county-level analysis of demographic structure and settlement patterns that correlate with both adoption and usage.

Geographic factors

• Distance from towers and town centers: Households outside towns often experience weaker indoor coverage and fewer provider choices, influencing both perceived service quality and willingness to rely on mobile internet.
• Transportation corridors: Coverage and newer technology layers (including 5G) are often prioritized along highways and around towns, affecting where mobile internet is practical for sustained use.

Demographic factors (measurable via public sources)

• Age distribution: Older populations often show different adoption patterns for smartphones and mobile internet compared with younger cohorts, affecting overall county adoption rates.
• Income and affordability: Subscription to mobile broadband and device replacement cycles correlate with household income and poverty measures.
• Education and digital skills: Educational attainment correlates with internet adoption and device usage patterns. These demographic measures can be sourced at the county level via data.census.gov (ACS demographic tables).

Limitations:

• Public sources typically support correlation-style descriptions (demographics vs. adoption) but do not provide direct causal attribution at the county level.

Data limitations and best public sources for Audubon County

• Coverage (availability): Best public source is the FCC National Broadband Map, which distinguishes mobile technologies and providers by location.
• Adoption (household subscriptions and smartphone-reliant access): Best public source is the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS via data.census.gov.
• State context and programs: The Iowa state broadband office provides statewide planning context and references to mapping and grant programs.

County-level mobile usage details such as average download speeds by neighborhood, device ownership mix beyond smartphone indicators, and carrier market share are generally not available from public datasets with consistent methodology. Public reporting most reliably separates availability (FCC mapping) from adoption (ACS subscription measures), which is the central distinction for understanding mobile connectivity in a rural county such as Audubon County.

Audubon County is a rural county in west‑central Iowa, with Audubon as the county seat and small communities such as Exira, Gray, and Brayton. Its low population density, agriculture‑oriented economy, and longer travel distances for services tend to align with heavier reliance on smartphones, local Facebook groups, and messaging for community news, school activities, and events, while overall platform adoption largely mirrors broader U.S. and Iowa patterns rather than having extensive county‑specific measurement.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• County‑level measurement note: Public, statistically robust social media “penetration” estimates are generally not published at the county level for small rural counties; most reliable figures come from national surveys and statewide broadband indicators rather than direct Audubon County social-platform counts.
• U.S. adult baseline: About 70% of U.S. adults use at least one social media site (2023). Source: Pew Research Center: Americans’ social media use.
• Teen baseline (relevant to school‑centered communities): 95% of U.S. teens report using YouTube; ~60% report using TikTok; ~60% report using Snapchat (2023). Source: Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023.
• Connectivity context (important in rural counties): Home broadband access gaps are more common in rural areas, which tends to push some use toward mobile-first social consumption. National patterns are documented in Pew Research Center: rural–urban digital divides.

Age group trends

• Most likely users: Adults 18–29 show the highest usage across multiple platforms; adults 30–49 are also high-use cohorts. Source: Pew Research Center social media use by demographics.
• Older adults: Use declines with age, but a substantial share of adults 65+ still use at least one platform; Facebook usage remains comparatively strong among older cohorts relative to other platforms. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Local implication for Audubon County: A larger rural share of middle‑aged and older residents typically corresponds to higher relative importance of Facebook for local updates (schools, churches, civic groups), while teens and young adults drive Snapchat/TikTok/Instagram attention.

Gender breakdown

Nationally, gender differences vary by platform (2023, U.S. adults):

• Facebook: Women 77% vs men 61%
• Instagram: Women 57% vs men 43%
• Pinterest: Women 50% vs men 19%
• LinkedIn: Women 32% vs men 28%
• X (Twitter): Men 27% vs women 21%
• Reddit: Men 32% vs women 17% Source: Pew Research Center: Americans’ social media use.

Most‑used platforms (with percentages)

U.S. adults (2023):

• YouTube: 83%
• Facebook: 68%
• Instagram: 47%
• Pinterest: 35%
• TikTok: 33%
• LinkedIn: 30%
• WhatsApp: 29%
• Snapchat: 27%
• X (Twitter): 22%
• Reddit: 22% Source: Pew Research Center platform usage.

Teens (2023) (often shaping community school/sports visibility):

• YouTube: 95% (most common)
• TikTok / Snapchat: each used by about six-in-ten
• Instagram: used by about six-in-ten Source: Pew Research Center teen platform use.

Audubon County interpretation (platform mix):

• Facebook and YouTube typically account for the broadest reach in rural Midwestern counties due to cross‑age adoption and compatibility with local-news sharing and how-to/entertainment viewing.
• Instagram and TikTok concentrate more in younger age bands; Snapchat skews younger and more messaging‑centric.
• LinkedIn presence is smaller and tied to professional networking rather than local community information.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

• Community-information orientation: Rural counties commonly use social platforms for local announcements, event promotion, school activities, weather impacts, and community problem-solving, with Facebook pages/groups functioning as a primary “bulletin board” format.
• Video-forward consumption: YouTube’s high penetration supports passive, high-duration viewing, while short-form video (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts) drives high-frequency, brief sessions, especially among younger users. Source for video/platform prevalence: Pew Research Center.
• Messaging and photo sharing: Snapchat and Instagram are used heavily for direct sharing and stories, with less reliance on public posting compared with Facebook’s group/page interactions. Teen usage patterns: Pew Research Center teen report.
• News and civic information exposure: Social platforms remain significant referral channels for news and local information, though usage varies by age and platform. Reference context: Pew Research Center: Social media and news fact sheet.

Audubon County, Iowa maintains family and associate-related public records through a combination of county offices and state vital-records systems. Birth and death records are state vital records administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and are typically accessed through the state’s vital records program rather than a county recorder. Marriage records are recorded at the county level, with copies commonly available from the Audubon County Recorder and/or the Iowa HHS vital records unit. Adoption records are generally maintained through the courts and state systems and are not treated as open public records.

Public-facing databases vary by record type. Land and related index records are often accessible through the county recorder’s services, while court-related family matters (e.g., dissolution, custody filings) are available through the Iowa Judicial Branch public portal.

Access occurs online and in person. County-recorded documents and office contact information are provided on the county website (Audubon County offices: https://www.auduboncounty.iowa.gov/). Iowa court case search is available via the Iowa Courts online search (Iowa Judicial Branch: https://www.iowacourts.gov/). State vital records ordering and eligibility rules are published by Iowa HHS (Vital Records: https://hhs.iowa.gov/vital-records).

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to birth records, adoption files, and some court records (including sealed or confidential cases). Public access is generally broader for recorded property records and non-confidential court docket information.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses and applications: Issued at the county level and used to authorize a marriage.
• Marriage returns/certificates: Completed by the officiant after the ceremony and returned for recording.
• Marriage record indexes: State and county indexing may exist for locating recorded marriages.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files: Court records documenting the dissolution proceeding (pleadings, orders, and related filings).
• Divorce decrees (final judgments): The court’s final order dissolving the marriage and setting terms such as custody, support, and property division.
• Divorce indexes/dockets: Court index information used to locate case filings.

Annulment records

• Annulment case files and decrees: Court records for actions declaring a marriage void or voidable, maintained similarly to divorce files within the district court.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage licenses and recorded marriages (county and state custody)

• Audubon County Recorder: Maintains recorded marriage instruments returned to the county for recording and related county record copies.
• Audubon County Registrar (local registrar of vital records): Local vital records function typically associated with the county public health/vital records office and used for certified vital records processes.
• Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), Bureau of Vital Records: Maintains statewide vital records and issues certified copies under state law and administrative rules.

Access methods commonly available

• In-person requests at the relevant county office (Recorder and/or local registrar).
• Mail requests (commonly used for certified copies).
• State-level ordering through Iowa HHS Vital Records for certified copies (procedures and fees governed by state rules).
• Genealogical/historical access: Older marriage records are often available through county archives or state historical resources and may also appear in public indexes.

Divorce and annulment records (court custody)

• Iowa District Court (county venue: Audubon County): Divorce and annulment filings are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the official court record.
• Iowa Courts online systems: A public case index (docket-level information) may be available through the Iowa Judicial Branch, with document access governed by court rules and confidentiality protections.
• In-person access at the Clerk of Court office for viewing public files and obtaining copies, subject to redactions and restrictions.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses/records

Common data elements include:

• Full legal names of the parties
• Date and place of marriage (or intended place on the license)
• Ages or dates of birth
• Residences at time of application
• Names of parents (often including maiden name of a parent, depending on the era/form)
• Officiant name/title and date of ceremony (on the return)
• Witnesses (sometimes recorded)
• License issuance date and recording information (book/page or instrument number)

Divorce records (case files and decrees)

Common data elements include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Filing date, service/notice details, and motion practice history (in the docket/file)
• Grounds/claims as pleaded (terminology varies by time period and law)
• Orders addressing:
  • Division of property and debts
  • Spousal support (alimony)
  • Child custody, parenting time, and child support (when applicable)
  • Name changes (when ordered)
• Final decree date and judge’s signature
• Associated exhibits and financial affidavits may be part of the file but may be restricted or redacted depending on content and court rules

Annulment records

Common data elements include:

• Names of the parties and case number
• Petition allegations supporting annulment under Iowa law
• Findings and decree declaring the marriage void/voidable
• Related orders concerning children, support, and property where applicable

Privacy or legal restrictions

Vital records restrictions (marriage)

• Certified copies of Iowa vital records are generally issued under Iowa vital records laws and administrative rules to eligible requesters and for approved purposes, with identity verification and fees required.
• Public access to older marriage records may expand through historical/genealogical release practices, but certified-copy eligibility rules still apply to state-issued vital records.

Court record restrictions (divorce and annulment)

• Divorce and annulment filings are generally public court records, but confidential information is protected under Iowa court rules and may be sealed, restricted, or redacted. Common protected content includes:
  • Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
  • Certain information involving minors
  • Medical, mental health, abuse, or protected-address information
• Sealed cases, sealed documents, and protected information are not available through public inspection except as authorized by law or court order.
• Obtaining copies from the Clerk of Court is subject to copy fees and applicable court access rules.

Key offices associated with Audubon County, Iowa records

• Audubon County Recorder: Recorded marriage instruments and county-level copies.
• Clerk of Court (Iowa District Court, Audubon County): Divorce and annulment case files, dockets, and decrees.
• Iowa HHS Bureau of Vital Records: Statewide certified marriage record copies and vital-record governance.

Audubon County is a rural county in west‑central Iowa with small towns (Audubon, Exira, Brayton, Gray, Hamlin, and others) and a population a little over 5,000. The county’s community context is shaped by agriculture and small local employers, with many residents commuting to nearby counties for work and services. (For baseline geography and demographics, see the U.S. Census Bureau’s data.census.gov profiles and the Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Audubon County.)

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

• Public school districts serving Audubon County: 2 primary K‑12 districts:
  • Audubon Community School District (based in Audubon)
  • Exira–Elk Horn–Kimballton Community School District (E‑E‑K) (serving Exira and surrounding communities, including parts of Audubon County)
• Public school buildings (names): School building names vary by district configuration and year; the most reliable source for current building lists is each district’s official site and the Iowa Department of Education district pages (district directory available through the Iowa Department of Education). A countywide “public schools in county” roster is not consistently published as a single authoritative list.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: Small, rural Iowa districts commonly report student–teacher ratios in the low‑to‑mid teens (students per teacher); district‑specific ratios should be verified using district report cards or district profiles (Iowa report card metrics are published through the state’s education reporting systems linked from the Iowa Department of Education).
• Graduation rates: Iowa’s statewide four‑year graduation rate is typically in the high 80% to low 90% range, and rural districts often cluster near or above state averages; the most recent district‑level rates for Audubon CSD and E‑E‑K CSD are reported through Iowa’s district/school accountability reporting (linked from the Iowa Department of Education).
• Data note: County‑specific graduation rate reporting is generally released at the district and school level rather than aggregated to the county.

Adult education levels

• High school diploma (or higher): Audubon County’s adult educational attainment is consistent with rural Iowa counties, with a large majority holding at least a high school diploma (county‑level shares are reported in the Census Bureau’s QuickFacts and detailed tables on data.census.gov).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: The county’s share with a bachelor’s degree or higher is typically below Iowa’s statewide metropolitan counties and more aligned with rural patterns; the definitive county percentage is available via QuickFacts and ACS tables on data.census.gov.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Iowa public districts commonly participate in regional CTE programming and work‑based learning aligned to state standards; district‑specific offerings (agriculture, industrial tech, health sciences, business, etc.) are typically documented in local course catalogs and the state’s CTE framework (overview at the Iowa CTE program page).
• Advanced coursework: Many Iowa districts offer Advanced Placement (AP), concurrent enrollment, or other advanced coursework through regional/community college partnerships; district availability varies year to year and is most reliably confirmed through district course guides and the state’s school performance reporting.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Safety planning: Iowa districts generally maintain required safety plans and conduct drills consistent with state guidance; operational details are handled at the district level and summarized in board policies and student handbooks (state policy context and resources are accessible via the Iowa Department of Education).
• Student supports: Counseling and mental‑health supports in small districts typically include school counselors and referrals to area mental‑health providers; Iowa’s statewide youth mental health and school support initiatives are coordinated through education and public health resources, with district implementation documented locally.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

• County unemployment is reported monthly and annually by federal and state labor agencies. The most recent Audubon County unemployment figures are available through:
  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) via BLS LAUS
  • Iowa Workforce Development labor market information via Iowa Workforce Development LMI
• Data note: A single “most recent year” value depends on the latest annual average published; county values can differ meaningfully month to month due to small population counts.

Major industries and employment sectors

• Audubon County’s economy is characteristic of rural western Iowa, with employment concentrated in:
  • Agriculture and related agribusiness (farm operators, farm labor, input suppliers, grain and livestock supply chains)
  • Manufacturing and construction (smaller plants/shops and trades)
  • Retail trade and local services
  • Health care and social assistance (clinics, long‑term care, regional hospital commuting)
  • Education and local government
• Sector composition can be quantified using ACS “industry by occupation” tables for county residents at data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

• Common occupational groups for residents typically include:
  • Management, business, and financial
  • Office/administrative support
  • Sales
  • Production and transportation/material moving
  • Construction and extraction
  • Farming, fishing, and forestry
  • Healthcare support and practitioner roles
• The most current county breakdown for residents’ occupations is available in ACS tables on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commuting mode: Rural counties in Iowa are overwhelmingly car‑commute dominated, with limited public transit and small shares walking/biking to work.
• Mean commute time: Audubon County’s mean one‑way commute time is reported in the ACS commuting profile tables (available through data.census.gov). Rural Iowa counties commonly fall in the ~15–25 minute mean commute range, reflecting commuting to nearby employment centers.

Local employment versus out‑of‑county work

• A substantial share of employed residents in rural counties work outside the county, especially for healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and larger retail/service hubs in nearby counties. County‑to‑county commuting flows are measured in U.S. Census commuting products and can be summarized using ACS/LEHD sources; a practical starting point is the ACS county commuting tables on data.census.gov.
• Data note: The most precise “out‑of‑county share” is typically derived from commuting flow datasets rather than basic profile tables.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

• Audubon County has a high homeownership rate typical of rural Iowa and a smaller rental market concentrated in the county’s towns. The definitive homeownership and renter percentages are reported in the county housing profile on QuickFacts and detailed ACS housing tables on data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: The ACS provides a county median value for owner‑occupied housing units (see ACS housing value tables). Rural western Iowa counties generally have median values below Iowa’s statewide median, reflecting older housing stock and lower land prices outside major metros.
• Recent trends: Recent years have generally shown upward pressure on values across Iowa due to broader housing market conditions, but the magnitude in Audubon County varies by town and rural acreage; county‑specific trend series can be approximated by comparing multi‑year ACS estimates or using assessor sales records (county assessor offices are the authoritative local record, while ACS provides consistent survey-based estimates).

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported by the ACS for the county (tables available at data.census.gov). In rural counties, rents are typically lower than metro Iowa, with limited apartment inventory and more single‑family rentals in towns.

Types of housing

• Dominant housing type: Single‑family detached homes are the primary housing form in towns and rural areas.
• Rural lots and acreages: A meaningful share of housing includes farmsteads and rural acreages, with greater reliance on private wells/septic in some locations.
• Apartments/multifamily: Present mainly in the county’s towns, generally in small multifamily buildings rather than large complexes.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Town-centered amenities: In Audubon and Exira, housing near town centers is typically closer to schools, city parks, and basic retail/services; rural housing offers larger lots and agricultural adjacency but requires longer driving for schools, groceries, and healthcare.
• County pattern note: Neighborhood characterization is limited by the county’s small number of incorporated places; most amenities cluster in the largest towns and along regional highway access.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

• Tax structure: Iowa property taxes are based on taxable value (after state classification/rollbacks) multiplied by consolidated local levy rates (county, city, school, and other levies). Iowa also applies credits and rollbacks that affect effective burdens.
• Effective burden: The ACS reports median real estate taxes paid for owner‑occupied housing units, which is a practical “typical homeowner cost” metric for the county (available at data.census.gov).
• Rate availability note: A single countywide “average property tax rate” is not a stable indicator because levy rates differ by overlapping jurisdictions (city vs. unincorporated areas, school district boundaries). The most authoritative local detail is found in Iowa Department of Management levy information and county treasurer/assessor reporting (state overview at the Iowa Department of Management).