Iowa property taxes are a significant source of money for local governments and services, notably public schools. Annual taxes are collected using assessed property values, which are revised every two years.
The state’s median effective property tax rate is 1.50%, placing it in the top ten rates in the United States. However, because rates are set locally, property taxes vary widely amongst Iowa’s towns and counties.
How the Iowa Property Tax Works
Iowa property taxes are paid in two installments each year: September 1 and March 1 (but they aren’t deemed late until the subsequent month). Taxes are calculated using two factors: the assessed value of the property and the overall local tax rate. In Iowa, county & city assessors assess property values every two years.
Each county employs an independent assessor, as do a few particular cities. The assessor considers both market and property criteria when determining the market value of a property. The assessed value, which determines tax rates, depends on market value. The entire statewide assessed value of residential real estate cannot increase by more than 3% every year. Thus, each year, the state “rolls back” home values using a ratio determined yearly by the state’s director of revenue. For 2020, the percentage was 67.25%.
There are several property tax credits & exemptions available that might help you save money on your property taxes. The most frequent option being the Homestead Credit, that lowers the assessed value by $4,850. Additional Iowa credits and exemptions comprise the Disabled Veteran’s Homestead Tax Credit, the Military Exemption, and the Property Tax Credit for Seniors and Disabled Residents.
Find out more: Publication 530 (2023), Tax Information for Homeowners | Internal Revenue Service
What are the Iowa Property Tax Rates?
Iowa property tax rates are decided annually based on local tax authority’ budget constraints and the overall taxable value of property within a tax district. If the taxable value grows one year while the budget constraints remain constant, tax rates will decline. If they decline while requirements remain unchanged, tax rates will climb.
Tax rates are measured in dollars per thousand. So, when the overall tax rate is 20, you would pay $20 in taxes for each $1,000 of assessed value. A residence assessed at $200,000 would have a total tax burden of $4,000.
| County | Median Home Value | Median Annual Property Tax Payment | Average Effective Property Tax Rate |
| Adair County | $111,100 | $1,491 | 1.34% |
| Adams County | $81,400 | $1,207 | 1.48% |
| Allamakee County | $133,400 | $1,710 | 1.28% |
| Appanoose County | $85,000 | $1,275 | 1.50% |
| Audubon County | $84,300 | $1,065 | 1.26% |
| Benton County | $158,700 | $2,120 | 1.34% |
| Black Hawk County | $150,200 | $2,622 | 1.75% |
| Boone County | $141,000 | $2,282 | 1.62% |
| Bremer County | $169,000 | $2,480 | 1.47% |
| Buchanan County | $143,200 | $2,131 | 1.49% |
| Buena Vista County | $120,300 | $1,509 | 1.25% |
| Butler County | $120,100 | $1,812 | 1.51% |
| Calhoun County | $85,600 | $1,226 | 1.43% |
| Carroll County | $138,700 | $1,499 | 1.08% |
| Cass County | $107,200 | $1,684 | 1.57% |
| Cedar County | $163,100 | $2,106 | 1.29% |
| Cerro Gordo County | $130,400 | $1,863 | 1.43% |
| Cherokee County | $117,400 | $1,305 | 1.11% |
| Chickasaw County | $122,000 | $1,475 | 1.21% |
| Clarke County | $115,400 | $1,827 | 1.58% |
| Clay County | $129,700 | $1,648 | 1.27% |
| Clayton County | $131,600 | $1,849 | 1.41% |
| Clinton County | $120,200 | $1,997 | 1.66% |
| Crawford County | $101,100 | $1,374 | 1.36% |
| Dallas County | $258,300 | $4,463 | 1.73% |
| Davis County | $117,900 | $1,936 | 1.64% |
| Decatur County | $82,800 | $1,539 | 1.86% |
| Delaware County | $141,300 | $1,911 | 1.35% |
| Des Moines County | $111,600 | $1,861 | 1.67% |
| Dickinson County | $199,800 | $1,941 | 0.97% |
| Dubuque County | $175,300 | $2,660 | 1.52% |
| Emmet County | $90,000 | $1,442 | 1.60% |
| Fayette County | $106,200 | $1,480 | 1.39% |
| Floyd County | $107,700 | $1,523 | 1.41% |
| Franklin County | $93,200 | $1,362 | 1.46% |
| Fremont County | $113,200 | $1,600 | 1.41% |
| Greene County | $93,500 | $1,220 | 1.30% |
| Grundy County | $138,100 | $1,700 | 1.23% |
| Guthrie County | $129,000 | $1,728 | 1.34% |
| Hamilton County | $105,200 | $1,557 | 1.48% |
| Hancock County | $100,900 | $1,307 | 1.30% |
| Hardin County | $95,100 | $1,428 | 1.50% |
| Harrison County | $124,000 | $1,693 | 1.37% |
| Henry County | $118,500 | $1,843 | 1.56% |
| Howard County | $105,800 | $1,415 | 1.34% |
| Humboldt County | $109,200 | $1,551 | 1.42% |
| Ida County | $102,400 | $1,023 | 1.00% |
| Iowa County | $156,000 | $2,015 | 1.29% |
| Jackson County | $127,600 | $1,691 | 1.33% |
| Jasper County | $137,200 | $2,174 | 1.58% |
| Jefferson County | $120,600 | $2,046 | 1.70% |
| Johnson County | $238,600 | $4,357 | 1.83% |
| Jones County | $140,000 | $1,917 | 1.37% |
| Keokuk County | $95,800 | $1,397 | 1.46% |
| Kossuth County | $109,400 | $1,206 | 1.10% |
| Lee County | $98,400 | $1,546 | 1.57% |
| Linn County | $161,600 | $3,138 | 1.94% |
| Louisa County | $107,900 | $1,583 | 1.47% |
| Lucas County | $94,200 | $1,597 | 1.70% |
| Lyon County | $160,700 | $1,668 | 1.04% |
| Madison County | $186,700 | $3,009 | 1.61% |
| Mahaska County | $113,100 | $1,624 | 1.44% |
| Marion County | $160,100 | $2,336 | 1.46% |
| Marshall County | $104,400 | $1,726 | 1.65% |
| Mills County | $178,500 | $2,643 | 1.48% |
| Mitchell County | $120,400 | $1,561 | 1.30% |
| Monona County | $90,000 | $1,143 | 1.27% |
| Monroe County | $113,800 | $1,814 | 1.59% |
| Montgomery County | $85,300 | $1,508 | 1.77% |
| Muscatine County | $135,400 | $2,348 | 1.73% |
| O’Brien County | $116,300 | $1,397 | 1.20% |
| Osceola County | $96,600 | $1,004 | 1.04% |
| Page County | $96,400 | $1,524 | 1.58% |
| Palo Alto County | $107,300 | $1,368 | 1.27% |
| Plymouth County | $172,600 | $2,073 | 1.20% |
| Pocahontas County | $81,900 | $937 | 1.14% |
| Polk County | $190,400 | $4,005 | 2.10% |
| Pottawattamie County | $141,300 | $2,932 | 2.08% |
| Poweshiek County | $148,200 | $2,170 | 1.46% |
| Ringgold County | $113,000 | $1,570 | 1.39% |
| Sac County | $101,200 | $1,115 | 1.10% |
| Scott County | $167,900 | $2,924 | 1.74% |
| Shelby County | $120,700 | $1,768 | 1.46% |
| Sioux County | $182,500 | $2,192 | 1.20% |
| Story County | $195,200 | $3,442 | 1.76% |
| Tama County | $114,400 | $1,686 | 1.47% |
| Taylor County | $84,100 | $1,134 | 1.35% |
| Union County | $109,600 | $1,741 | 1.59% |
| Van Buren County | $91,200 | $1,249 | 1.37% |
| Wapello County | $87,400 | $1,602 | 1.83% |
| Warren County | $196,100 | $3,330 | 1.70% |
| Washington County | $158,600 | $2,250 | 1.42% |
| Wayne County | $79,900 | $1,239 | 1.55% |
| Webster County | $107,900 | $1,693 | 1.57% |
| Winnebago County | $96,200 | $1,453 | 1.51% |
| Winneshiek County | $183,300 | $2,366 | 1.29% |
| Woodbury County | $131,300 | $2,430 | 1.85% |
| Worth County | $107,600 | $1,388 | 1.29% |
| Wright County | $86,100 | $1,350 | 1.57% |
Source: SmartAsset
Polk County
If you’re seeking affordable property tax rates within Iowa, Polk County might not be the greatest option. The county’s median effective property tax rate being 2.10%, the highest in the state. Naturally, Iowa’s $4,005 median annual tax bill ranks in the top three among Iowa counties. Des Moines has the county’s highest property tax rates.
Linn County
Linn County is located in eastern Iowa and includes the city of Cedar Rapids. Linn County homeowners spend an average of $3,138 in property taxes each year. The county’s median effective property tax rate is 1.94%, which is higher than the state average of 1.50%.
Scott County
Scott County has an estimated population of approximately 174,000, making it one of Iowa’s most populous counties. Scott County’s median effective property tax rate is 1.74%, which is a bit higher than the state’s average.
Johnson County
Johnson County homeowners pay a median of $4,357 in property taxes each year. This is the highest payment per year in the state. The county has the second-most property values within the entire state. Johnson County has a median effective property tax rate of 1.83%.
Where to Go for Iowa Property Tax Help
If you require extra assistance with Iowa property taxes or general state tax information, please contact XOA TAX Service. We can connect you with a tax professional that is knowledgeable about your state. You may be able to get your taxes done by a competent tax specialist without having to visit an office.
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