What Is 80% AMI in Cherokee County, Iowa?
The Area Median Income in Cherokee County is $98,200 for a family of four, meaning 80% AMI is $78,550 and 50% AMI is $49,100.
2025 AMI Breakdown — Cherokee County
| AMI Tier | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person | 7 Person | 8 Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30% AMI | $20,650 | $23,600 | $26,650 | $32,150 | $37,650 | $43,150 | $48,650 | $54,150 |
| 50% AMI | $34,400 | $39,300 | $44,200 | $49,100 | $53,050 | $57,000 | $60,900 | $64,850 |
| 60% AMI | $41,250 | $47,150 | $53,050 | $58,900 | $63,650 | $68,350 | $73,050 | $77,750 |
| 80% AMI | $55,000 | $62,850 | $70,700 | $78,550 | $84,850 | $91,150 | $97,450 | $103,700 |
| 100% AMI | $68,750 | $78,550 | $88,400 | $98,200 | $106,050 | $113,900 | $121,750 | $129,600 |
| 120% AMI | $82,500 | $94,250 | $106,050 | $117,850 | $127,250 | $136,700 | $146,100 | $155,550 |
30%, 50%, and 80% AMI figures are published directly by HUD. The 60%, 100%, and 120% AMI tiers are derived from the median income using HUD's standard household size adjustment factors. This product uses the HUD User Data API but is not endorsed or certified by HUD User.
Program Eligibility at Each AMI Threshold
$32,150
Extremely Low Income
Priority for public housing and project-based Section 8.
4-person household
$49,100
Very Low Income
Eligible for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV).
4-person household
$58,900
LIHTC Threshold
Maximum income for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units.
4-person household
$78,550
Low Income
Eligible for HOME Investment Partnership grants.
4-person household
80% AMI by Household Size
How the 80% AMI limit scales from a single-person household to an 8-person household in Cherokee County. Find where your household size lands.
How Cherokee County Compares
Local AMI (4-person)
$98,200
Cherokee County
Statewide AMI (4-person)
$99,800
Iowa
National Median (2024)
$96,300
National
Cherokee County sits above the national average — the local AMI of $98,200 is higher than the national median of $96,300 though it is below the Iowa statewide average of $99,800. Residents earning between 50% and 80% AMI have access to a reasonable range of affordable housing options, though competition for subsidized units may be moderate given the area's income profile.
Rent Affordability in Cherokee County
Using the standard 30% rule — a household should spend no more than 30% of gross income on housing — here's the maximum affordable monthly rent at each AMI tier for a 4-person household.
30% AMI
$804/mo
Based on $32,150 annual income
50% AMI
$1,228/mo
Based on $49,100 annual income
80% AMI
$1,964/mo
Based on $78,550 annual income
The 30% Rule:HUD defines a household as "cost-burdened" when it spends more than 30% of gross income on housing costs (rent plus utilities). Households exceeding 50% are considered "severely cost-burdened." In Cherokee County, a family of four earning exactly at 50% AMI ($49,100) should aim to keep total housing costs below $1,228 per month to avoid cost burden.
Who Uses This Data
Renters
"Am I eligible for affordable housing in Cherokee County?" If your household income falls below the 50% or 80% AMI threshold shown above, you may qualify for Section 8 vouchers, LIHTC apartments, or other subsidized housing programs in the area.
Developers
"Does this market support LIHTC underwriting?" The 60% AMI limit in Cherokee County sets the maximum tenant income for tax credit units. Higher AMI areas generally support stronger rent levels within LIHTC compliance, improving project feasibility.
Caseworkers & Planners
"What programs can my clients access?" Use the AMI breakdown for Cherokee County to quickly determine which federal, state, and local housing programs a household qualifies for based on family size and income level.
What These Numbers Mean For You
In Cherokee County, the 2025 Area Median Income of $98,200 places this area above the national benchmark. Because AMI thresholds are set locally, residents here face higher income limits for program qualification — a household earning $78,550 qualifies as Low Income (80% AMI), while the same income in a lower-cost market would likely exceed the cutoff.
For renters, this creates a dual reality: the income limits are more generous, but market rents are typically higher too. A family at exactly 50% AMI ($49,100) can afford roughly $1,228/month under the 30% rule — whether that covers available units in Cherokee County depends on local rental market conditions.
For buyers and developers, the higher AMI supports stronger underwriting. LIHTC projects in Cherokee County can set maximum rents based on the 60% AMI threshold ($58,900 for a 4-person household), which in a higher-AMI market translates to more financially viable affordable housing developments.