Howard County, Iowa has a 2026 one-unit conforming loan limit of $832,750, which is 5.6 times the county's median home value of $147,800, so a typical home there can be financed with a conforming (non-jumbo) loan; median household income is $67,446 (FHFA; Census ACS 2020–2024).
Data as of 2026. Source: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits; U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| 1-unit limit (2026) | $832,750 |
| 2-unit limit | $1,066,250 |
| 3-unit limit | $1,288,800 |
| 4-unit limit | $1,601,750 |
| Median home value (ACS 2020–24) | $147,800 |
| Iowa median home value | $208,000 |
| Limit ÷ median home value | 5.63× |
| Median household income | $67,446 |
| Median home value ÷ income | 2.2× |
| Population | 9,445 |
| Median property tax paid (owners) | $1,853 |
| Effective property tax rate (approx.) | 1.25% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.4% |
| Home value rank in Iowa | 67 of 99 counties |
| Neighbor: Chickasaw County, IA | limit $832,750; median home $182,600 |
| Neighbor: Floyd County, IA | limit $832,750; median home $143,500 |
| Neighbor: Mitchell County, IA | limit $832,750; median home $175,100 |
| Neighbor: Winneshiek County, IA | limit $832,750; median home $259,200 |
| Neighbor: Fillmore County, MN | limit $832,750; median home $221,100 |
| Neighbor: Mower County, MN | limit $832,750; median home $185,200 |
Across Iowa's 99 counties, FHFA's 2026 one-unit limits are $832,750 everywhere. Howard County's median home value is 29% below the state median of $208,000 (rank 67 of 99). Among its 6 neighboring counties, Winneshiek County has the highest median home value ($259,200) and Floyd County the lowest ($143,500); all share the same loan limit. Owners pay a median $1,853 a year in property tax, an effective rate of about 1.25% of home value.
County data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (tables B25077, B19013, B01003, B25103, B25003). Neighbors: Census county adjacency file.
Frequently asked questions
What is the conforming loan limit in Howard County, Iowa?
Howard County, Iowa has a 2026 one-unit conforming loan limit of $832,750, which is 5.6 times the county's median home value of $147,800, so a typical home there can be financed with a conforming (non-jumbo) loan; median household income is $67,446 (FHFA; Census ACS 2020–2024).
What is the median home value in Howard County, Iowa?
The median owner-occupied home value in Howard County is $147,800 (ACS 2020–2024), versus $208,000 statewide.
Do I need a jumbo loan in Howard County?
Only if your loan amount exceeds $832,750 for a one-unit home; the county median home value is $147,800, so the cap is 5.63 times the typical home value.
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Last updated Oct 16, 2026, 10:42 PM ET. Data only, not financial or tax advice.
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