Benton County, Iowa Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Iowa
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Benton County effective property tax rate: 1.37%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Benton County home value: $183,200
Median annual Benton County tax bill: $2,460, $60 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Benton County calculated?

Property taxes in Benton County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Vinton or another part of Benton County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Benton County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.37%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$2,510

$2,329

Ownwell’s Benton County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Benton County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Benton County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Benton County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Benton County, Iowa

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can vary significantly within a state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates its required budget to provide essential services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process. In Benton County, the effective property tax rate is 1.37%, which is higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Iowa, Benton County's rate is not the highest, as Urbana has a rate of 1.72%, while Keystone has the lowest at 0.95%. Comparing these rates can provide valuable context for property owners and potential buyers, highlighting the importance of understanding local tax obligations. By examining these rates, property owners in Benton County can better assess their tax responsibilities relative to other counties in Iowa and the national average.

Property Tax Rates Across Benton County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

0.95%

1.34%

1.72%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Benton County Tax Rate

1.37%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Benton County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atkins	0.92%	1.23%	1.33%	1.35%	1.38%
Belle Plaine	1.21%	1.52%	1.67%	1.80%	1.87%
Blairstown	0.91%	1.05%	1.17%	1.24%	1.28%
Brandon	0.65%	1.06%	1.15%	1.29%	1.53%
Cedar Rapids	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Center Point	1.21%	1.25%	1.29%	1.38%	1.71%
Dysart	0.91%	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.37%
Elberon	0.80%	0.87%	0.96%	1.13%	1.33%
Fairfax	0.89%	0.93%	0.96%	1.07%	1.21%
Garrison	1.06%	1.17%	1.48%	1.76%	1.84%
Keystone	0.86%	0.91%	0.95%	1.02%	1.21%
La Porte City	0.96%	0.98%	1.01%	1.17%	1.36%
Luzerne	0.90%	1.02%	1.23%	1.39%	1.50%
Marengo	0.97%	1.04%	1.15%	1.20%	1.26%
Mount Auburn	0.94%	1.00%	1.13%	1.22%	1.53%
Newhall	0.93%	1.17%	1.22%	1.27%	1.30%
Norway	0.95%	1.00%	1.37%	1.44%	1.50%
Palo	1.14%	1.18%	1.20%	1.22%	1.30%
Shellsburg	1.12%	1.19%	1.50%	1.63%	1.69%
Urbana	1.59%	1.67%	1.72%	1.77%	1.81%
Van Horne	0.93%	1.08%	1.40%	1.46%	1.51%
Vinton	1.12%	1.20%	1.59%	1.69%	1.75%
Walford	1.32%	1.36%	1.39%	1.41%	1.44%
Walker	1.02%	1.10%	1.23%	1.37%	1.62%
Watkins	0.84%	0.90%	0.96%	1.02%	1.27%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Benton County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Benton County Assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

In Benton County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Benton County.

For example, the median tax bill in Benton County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Palo has the highest median home price at $386,850.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$87,000

$236,925

$386,850

Median Benton County Market Value

$183,200

Median Iowa Market Value

$167,100

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benton County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atkins	$154,900	$226,675	$301,550	$362,750	$447,800
Belle Plaine	$30,440	$59,650	$96,500	$149,100	$218,220
Blairstown	$56,440	$115,000	$171,800	$237,500	$368,660
Brandon	$114,540	$164,500	$189,500	$286,900	$395,280
Cedar Rapids	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Center Point	$138,000	$213,300	$297,300	$392,900	$508,900
Dysart	$146,700	$182,700	$265,000	$372,225	$533,780
Elberon	$136,720	$168,250	$239,100	$281,450	$340,540
Fairfax	$104,840	$210,650	$313,200	$372,975	$566,420
Garrison	$25,620	$44,700	$87,000	$250,800	$409,060
Keystone	$87,500	$115,900	$170,100	$269,600	$395,340
La Porte City	$176,260	$225,700	$281,300	$390,700	$536,140
Luzerne	$38,920	$79,225	$172,100	$299,950	$477,520
Marengo	$233,150	$283,450	$316,800	$387,675	$580,570
Mount Auburn	$23,780	$61,800	$131,400	$241,200	$359,500
Newhall	$89,640	$135,400	$180,000	$252,200	$393,020
Norway	$92,990	$126,825	$178,200	$287,800	$438,670
Palo	$211,990	$313,275	$386,850	$492,125	$567,060
Shellsburg	$87,800	$140,075	$214,700	$321,000	$444,150
Urbana	$81,300	$133,400	$198,800	$268,350	$340,100
Van Horne	$91,310	$133,250	$191,400	$274,575	$473,340
Vinton	$64,920	$104,300	$160,800	$259,550	$398,380
Walford	$152,040	$230,500	$279,100	$315,700	$354,780
Walker	$134,480	$215,950	$299,350	$417,550	$586,580
Watkins	$71,250	$157,775	$276,450	$404,950	$531,150

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Iowa

In Benton County, IA, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the property's market value, which is determined by the county assessor. This value is then adjusted based on any applicable exemptions or credits. Homeowners in Benton County can expect to pay a median property tax bill of $1,540 at the 25th percentile, while those at the 75th percentile face a bill of $3,782. At the 90th percentile, the tax bill can reach as high as $5,237. Comparatively, the national median property tax bill is $2,400, highlighting the range of tax burdens within the county. The city of Palo within Benton County has the highest median tax bill at $4,814, whereas Garrison has the lowest at $1,346. These property taxes fund essential public services such as schools, roads, and emergency services, directly impacting the quality of life for homeowners in the area.

Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$1,346

$3,080

$4,814

Median Benton County Tax Bill

$2,460

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Benton County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atkins	$1,914	$2,628	$3,800	$4,598	$5,442
Belle Plaine	$482	$994	$1,577	$2,388	$3,457
Blairstown	$680	$1,295	$1,932	$2,619	$3,956
Brandon	$907	$1,770	$2,276	$3,534	$5,398
Cedar Rapids	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Center Point	$1,993	$2,884	$3,976	$5,238	$6,825
Dysart	$1,499	$1,876	$2,708	$4,241	$6,987
Elberon	$1,413	$1,643	$1,958	$2,823	$4,098
Fairfax	$1,626	$2,147	$3,054	$3,676	$5,944
Garrison	$330	$756	$1,346	$2,866	$5,480
Keystone	$774	$1,088	$1,583	$2,478	$4,265
La Porte City	$1,747	$2,266	$2,989	$4,208	$6,199
Luzerne	$397	$1,001	$1,809	$3,674	$6,006
Marengo	$2,774	$3,010	$3,474	$4,252	$6,985
Mount Auburn	$299	$644	$1,400	$2,634	$4,638
Newhall	$1,067	$1,646	$2,149	$2,886	$4,035
Norway	$1,193	$1,710	$2,295	$3,272	$4,858
Palo	$2,602	$3,956	$4,814	$5,880	$6,943
Shellsburg	$1,241	$2,007	$2,955	$4,268	$5,812
Urbana	$1,282	$2,200	$3,326	$4,572	$5,943
Van Horne	$1,238	$1,692	$2,390	$3,313	$5,320
Vinton	$979	$1,616	$2,448	$3,514	$5,112
Walford	$1,986	$3,042	$3,928	$4,462	$4,998
Walker	$1,848	$2,427	$3,380	$5,664	$9,227
Watkins	$564	$1,378	$2,588	$4,030	$6,424

Source: Ownwell