Black Hawk County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Black Hawk County is 1.57%, which is notably higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Iowa state median of 1.54%. With a median home value of $149,990 in Black Hawk County, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $2,318, slightly below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Black Hawk 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 properties. Understanding Black Hawk 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 Waterloo or another part of Black Hawk County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Black Hawk County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.57%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,355
Ownwell’s Black Hawk Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Black Hawk with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk County, Iowa
Property taxes in Black Hawk County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Black Hawk County is 1.57%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Black Hawk County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Black Hawk 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. The following data compares Black Hawk County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Iowa and the national median. For comparison, the city of Waterloo has one of the higher property tax rates in Iowa at 1.70%, while the city of Reinbeck boasts one of the lowest at 0.86%. Analyzing how Black Hawk County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Black Hawk County Tax Rate
1.57%
Average Iowa Tax Rate
1.54%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Black Hawk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckingham | 1.04% | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.15% | 1.29% |
| Cedar Falls | 1.28% | 1.42% | 1.50% | 1.59% | 1.70% |
| Denver | 1.04% | 1.09% | 1.22% | 1.30% | 1.40% |
| Dewar | 1.02% | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.18% | 1.23% |
| Dunkerton | 1.02% | 1.09% | 1.27% | 1.35% | 1.43% |
| Elk Run Heights | 1.24% | 1.27% | 1.29% | 1.32% | 1.40% |
| Evansdale | 1.06% | 1.11% | 1.19% | 1.34% | 1.61% |
| Fairbank | 1.01% | 1.03% | 1.10% | 1.24% | 1.31% |
| Gilbertville | 1.28% | 1.32% | 1.35% | 1.39% | 1.47% |
| Hiawatha | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% |
| Hudson | 1.06% | 1.37% | 1.51% | 1.59% | 1.69% |
| Janesville | 1.07% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.26% | 1.50% |
| Jesup | 0.98% | 1.06% | 1.20% | 1.36% | 1.53% |
| La Porte City | 0.94% | 1.12% | 1.33% | 1.47% | 1.59% |
| New Hartford | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% |
| Raymond | 1.15% | 1.18% | 1.20% | 1.24% | 1.32% |
| Readlyn | 1.00% | 1.03% | 1.08% | 1.19% | 1.53% |
| Reinbeck | 0.81% | 0.84% | 0.86% | 0.88% | 0.94% |
| Shell Rock | 1.04% | 1.08% | 1.15% | 1.23% | 1.27% |
| Traer | 0.84% | 0.85% | 0.90% | 0.94% | 1.06% |
| Voorhies | 0.76% | 0.81% | 0.86% | 1.50% | 1.66% |
| Washburn | 0.94% | 0.97% | 0.98% | 1.01% | 1.07% |
| Waterloo | 1.31% | 1.55% | 1.70% | 1.83% | 2.00% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Black Hawk County, Iowa
In Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk 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. The highest median tax bill in the county is in Jesup at $3,277, while the lowest is in Hiawatha at $184. Being aware of these valuation processes in Black Hawk County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Black Hawk County Assessed Value
$149,990
Average Iowa Assessed Value
$167,100
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Black Hawk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckingham | $155,675 | $184,250 | $216,830 | $301,522 | $392,350 |
| Cedar Falls | $98,542 | $154,660 | $213,020 | $306,308 | $421,891 |
| Denver | $182,430 | $226,800 | $266,700 | $282,990 | $339,876 |
| Dewar | $78,090 | $91,442 | $123,530 | $208,682 | $257,836 |
| Dunkerton | $43,882 | $107,670 | $175,225 | $260,915 | $358,234 |
| Elk Run Heights | $108,922 | $128,590 | $163,860 | $213,680 | $296,374 |
| Evansdale | $47,740 | $78,860 | $120,730 | $162,730 | $225,024 |
| Fairbank | $104,347 | $160,340 | $223,005 | $325,372 | $417,152 |
| Gilbertville | $48,142 | $123,430 | $181,480 | $244,470 | $341,454 |
| Hiawatha | $14,950 | $14,950 | $14,950 | $14,950 | $14,950 |
| Hudson | $122,070 | $163,490 | $215,705 | $296,860 | $399,008 |
| Janesville | $30,620 | $140,930 | $224,290 | $313,350 | $382,986 |
| Jesup | $167,266 | $212,755 | $289,325 | $368,768 | $455,848 |
| La Porte City | $41,800 | $102,915 | $160,900 | $232,270 | $319,669 |
| New Hartford | $211,820 | $211,820 | $211,820 | $211,820 | $211,820 |
| Raymond | $118,813 | $162,630 | $206,270 | $271,000 | $322,920 |
| Readlyn | $124,677 | $165,128 | $210,970 | $225,472 | $243,759 |
| Reinbeck | $230,772 | $282,760 | $355,380 | $374,670 | $394,410 |
| Shell Rock | $138,720 | $144,615 | $154,440 | $164,265 | $170,160 |
| Traer | $185,968 | $190,900 | $218,630 | $293,330 | $439,382 |
| Voorhies | $81,857 | $96,732 | $131,935 | $181,555 | $232,090 |
| Washburn | $107,250 | $118,412 | $132,435 | $155,408 | $196,070 |
| Waterloo | $38,219 | $60,260 | $117,140 | $174,980 | $246,710 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Black Hawk County, Iowa
In Black Hawk County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor's office. The assessed value is then multiplied by the county's property tax rate to determine the tax bill. For instance, with a median home price of $149,990, homeowners can expect varying tax bills depending on the assessed value and applicable exemptions. Factors such as the property's location, size, and improvements are considered to determine its assessed value. In Black Hawk County, tax bills can vary significantly. The 25th percentile tax bill is around $1,330, while the 75th percentile reaches approximately $3,410, and the 90th percentile can be as high as $4,958. For comparison, the highest median tax bill in the county is $3,277 in Jesup, while the lowest is $184 in Hiawatha. These variations illustrate how property tax bills can significantly impact homeowners, influencing their overall cost of living and financial planning.
Average Black Hawk County Tax Bill
$2,318
Average Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Black Hawk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckingham | $1,653 | $2,022 | $2,188 | $3,197 | $4,506 |
| Cedar Falls | $1,620 | $2,346 | $3,196 | $4,668 | $6,396 |
| Denver | $2,037 | $2,412 | $3,156 | $3,948 | $4,596 |
| Dewar | $961 | $1,068 | $1,497 | $2,366 | $2,831 |
| Dunkerton | $636 | $1,408 | $2,223 | $3,254 | $4,278 |
| Elk Run Heights | $1,428 | $1,653 | $2,110 | $2,753 | $3,792 |
| Evansdale | $702 | $1,014 | $1,478 | $2,002 | $2,777 |
| Fairbank | $1,127 | $1,927 | $2,568 | $3,657 | $4,755 |
| Gilbertville | $1,203 | $1,772 | $2,484 | $3,232 | $4,627 |
| Hiawatha | $184 | $184 | $184 | $184 | $184 |
| Hudson | $1,763 | $2,386 | $3,054 | $3,996 | $5,645 |
| Janesville | $552 | $1,866 | $2,810 | $3,862 | $4,680 |
| Jesup | $1,896 | $2,516 | $3,277 | $4,756 | $5,915 |
| La Porte City | $754 | $1,413 | $2,146 | $2,844 | $3,847 |
| New Hartford | $2,816 | $2,816 | $2,816 | $2,816 | $2,816 |
| Raymond | $1,440 | $1,954 | $2,520 | $3,272 | $4,054 |
| Readlyn | $1,528 | $1,716 | $2,353 | $2,538 | $2,732 |
| Reinbeck | $2,000 | $2,654 | $3,078 | $3,179 | $3,292 |
| Shell Rock | $1,751 | $1,752 | $1,754 | $1,756 | $1,757 |
| Traer | $1,609 | $1,710 | $2,482 | $2,500 | $4,025 |
| Voorhies | $684 | $809 | $1,435 | $2,168 | $2,595 |
| Washburn | $1,048 | $1,164 | $1,313 | $1,528 | $1,968 |
| Waterloo | $706 | $1,090 | $1,926 | $2,920 | $4,092 |
Source: Ownwell