Home Insurance in Black Hawk County, Iowa
Homes in Black Hawk County carry a median value of $188,900 - 9% lower than the Iowa median.
The typical home in Black Hawk County was built around 1966. About 41% of homes were built before 1960, about 4 points above Iowa's 38%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
Housing in Black Hawk County breaks down to 74% single-family homes, 17% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 3% mobile or manufactured homes.
In Black Hawk County, about 62% of owner-occupied homes have a mortgage - lenders require hazard insurance on every mortgaged home.
About 66% of occupied homes in Black Hawk County are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 8%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
Most homes in Black Hawk County - 63% - are primarily heated with natural gas.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Black Hawk County's top hazards are strong wind (Relatively High), winter weather (Relatively High) and tornado (Relatively High).
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy. As of September 2026, Black Hawk County has 568 active NFIP flood policies on file.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Iowa is $1,342 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $188,900 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1966 |
| Owner-occupied share | 66% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 62% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Strong Wind (Relatively High), Winter Weather (Relatively High), Tornado (Relatively High) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 568 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,342 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)