Pros and Cons of Living in Clinton

Clinton's honest tradeoff is genuinely affordable housing and a real, in-city hospital, set against a real, elevated crime rate and a disclosed population decline.

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Real advantages

Clinton offers genuinely affordable housing (median $115,400-$129,168, well below Iowa's statewide average), MercyOne Clinton Medical Center's real in-city presence, ADM's substantial local employment base, a real, distinct lumber-boomtown historic identity, and Iowa's Social Security/retirement tax exemption.

Real tradeoffs

Clinton's crime rate runs genuinely elevated (higher than more than 98% of Iowa communities), the population has run a real, documented gradual decline, and Clinton County's effective property tax rate (~1.59%) runs above the national median.

The net read

For affordability-focused movers who prioritize a low purchase price and an in-city hospital, Clinton's advantages are genuine. For safety-first buyers, the real, disclosed elevated crime rate is worth researching further directly.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-27. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.