Benton County, Iowa Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Benton County is 1.37%, which is higher than the national median of 0.99% but lower than the Iowa state median of 1.54%. With a median home value of $183,200, the typical annual property tax bill in Benton County is approximately $2,460, slightly below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Benton County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions, such as those for primary residences and agricultural land. Understanding Benton County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can lead to significant annual savings. Whether you reside in Vinton or another part of Benton County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Benton County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.37%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,510
$2,329
Ownwell’s Benton County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Benton County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Benton County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Benton County, Iowa
Property taxes in Benton County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Benton County is 1.37%, which is higher than both the Iowa state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Benton County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Benton County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. For comparison, the city of Urbana has one of the higher property tax rates in Iowa at 1.72%, while the city of Cedar Rapids boasts one of the lowest at 0.92%. Analyzing how Benton County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Benton County Tax Rate
1.37%
Average Iowa Tax Rate
1.54%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
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
In Benton County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Benton County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Benton County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. For instance, Palo has the highest median tax bill at $4,814, while Garrison has the lowest at $1,346. Being aware of these valuation processes in Benton County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Benton County Assessed Value
$183,200
Average Iowa Assessed Value
$167,100
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
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 calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. The assessed value is then multiplied by the local property tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. Several factors influence the assessed value, including the home's market value, location, and any improvements made to the property. For homeowners in Benton County, the median home price is $183,200. Property tax bills can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $1,540 and the 75th percentile at $3,782, indicating a broad range of tax obligations. The 90th percentile sees tax bills as high as $5,237. For comparison, the national median property tax rate is 0.99%, which helps illustrate the relative tax burden in Benton County. The city of Palo has the highest median tax bill in the county at $4,814, while Garrison has the lowest at $1,346. These figures highlight how property taxes can impact homeowners differently, depending on their specific location within the county.
Average Benton County Tax Bill
$2,460
Average Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
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