Buena Vista County, Iowa Property Taxes

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

Median Buena Vista County effective property tax rate: 1.46%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Buena Vista County home value: $152,730
Median annual Buena Vista County tax bill: $2,124, $276 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Buena Vista County calculated?

Property taxes in Buena Vista 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 Storm Lake or another part of Buena Vista County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Buena Vista County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.46%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$2,230

$2,069

Ownwell’s Buena Vista County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Buena Vista County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.

Below, you can compare Buena Vista County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median property tax rate. The median property tax rate in Buena Vista County is 1.46%, which is higher than the national median rate of 1.02%. Storm Lake, within the county, has the highest median tax rate at 1.61%, while Aurelia has the lowest at 0.97%. This range reflects the diversity in property tax rates even within a single county. Understanding these differences can help property owners make informed decisions about their investments and potential tax liabilities.

Property Tax Rates Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

0.97%

1.29%

1.61%

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 Buena Vista County Tax Rate

1.46%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albert City	0.97%	1.06%	1.21%	1.36%	1.43%
Alta	0.98%	1.09%	1.22%	1.29%	1.34%
Aurelia	0.83%	0.89%	0.97%	1.07%	1.25%
Fonda	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Galva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakeside	1.33%	1.37%	1.41%	1.51%	1.55%
Laurens	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Linn Grove	0.83%	0.93%	1.04%	1.17%	1.41%
Marathon	0.88%	1.01%	1.20%	1.58%	1.81%
Nemaha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newell	1.09%	1.19%	1.39%	1.53%	1.61%
Peterson	0.96%	1.00%	1.05%	1.16%	1.24%
Rembrandt	0.94%	1.05%	1.29%	1.48%	1.60%
Schaller	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sioux Rapids	1.00%	1.17%	1.38%	1.54%	1.59%
Storm Lake	1.25%	1.52%	1.61%	1.70%	1.75%
Truesdale	0.68%	1.03%	1.23%	1.46%	1.53%
Webb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista 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.

Assessment notices:

In Buena Vista County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Buena Vista County.

For example, the median tax bill in Buena Vista County is $2,556, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Peterson has the highest median home price at $213,130.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$34,295

$123,713

$213,130

Median Buena Vista County Market Value

$152,730

Median Iowa Market Value

$167,100

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albert City	$39,880	$63,365	$96,285	$159,902	$256,725
Alta	$85,385	$126,668	$183,650	$265,792	$342,825
Aurelia	$54,970	$139,345	$192,250	$284,790	$434,720
Fonda	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Galva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakeside	$104,270	$136,700	$180,010	$282,460	$411,890
Laurens	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Linn Grove	$12,005	$60,412	$106,795	$181,825	$282,608
Marathon	$8,800	$25,965	$58,630	$156,315	$287,220
Nemaha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newell	$43,229	$84,115	$128,980	$197,025	$308,031
Peterson	$115,958	$150,660	$213,130	$295,580	$369,116
Rembrandt	$32,015	$52,878	$94,640	$185,550	$289,740
Schaller	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sioux Rapids	$27,812	$63,340	$102,365	$168,088	$253,477
Storm Lake	$84,510	$118,400	$164,280	$244,110	$361,658
Truesdale	$10,158	$18,648	$34,295	$46,790	$67,823
Webb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

In Buena Vista County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. The median home price in the county is $152,730, which serves as a basis for calculating tax bills. Homeowners can expect a median tax bill that varies significantly across the county, with the 25th percentile at $1,355 and the 75th percentile reaching $3,169. The tax bill at the 90th percentile can soar to $4,690, reflecting the impact of higher property values or additional assessments. In comparison to the national median property tax rate of 1.02%, Buena Vista County's tax bills are influenced by local levies and budgetary needs. For instance, Lakeside has the highest median tax bill in the county at $2,556, whereas Truesdale has the lowest at $409. These variations affect homeowners by influencing their overall cost of living and can play a critical role in homeownership affordability and long-term financial planning.

Property Tax Bills Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$409

$1,483

$2,556

Median Buena Vista County Tax Bill

$2,124

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Buena Vista County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albert City	$372	$784	$1,179	$1,872	$2,781
Alta	$1,002	$1,498	$2,123	$3,016	$4,005
Aurelia	$470	$1,362	$1,992	$2,724	$4,329
Fonda	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Galva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lakeside	$1,412	$1,884	$2,556	$4,046	$6,131
Laurens	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Linn Grove	$182	$592	$1,136	$1,922	$3,019
Marathon	$88	$334	$798	$1,711	$2,958
Nemaha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newell	$648	$1,155	$1,780	$2,612	$3,795
Peterson	$1,056	$1,666	$2,108	$3,034	$3,915
Rembrandt	$344	$738	$1,246	$2,086	$3,112
Schaller	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sioux Rapids	$407	$874	$1,396	$2,193	$3,298
Storm Lake	$1,286	$1,835	$2,518	$3,653	$5,421
Truesdale	$75	$240	$409	$606	$807
Webb	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell