Clay County, Iowa Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Clay County is 1.37%, which is higher than the national median of 0.99% but lower than Iowa's state median of 1.54%. With the median home value in Clay County at $145,050, the typical annual property tax bill is approximately $1,910, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Clay County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions, such as those for primary residences and agricultural properties. Understanding Clay County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Spencer or another part of Clay County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Clay County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.37%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,987
$1,844
Ownwell’s Clay County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Clay County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Clay 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 Clay County, Iowa
Property taxes in Clay County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Clay 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 Clay County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Clay 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 Clay County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Iowa and the national median. For comparison, the city of Spencer has one of the higher property tax rates in Iowa at 1.43%, while the city of Hartley boasts one of the lowest at 0.91%. Analyzing how Clay County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Clay County Tax Rate
1.37%
Average Iowa Tax Rate
1.54%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dickens | 0.91% | 1.02% | 1.13% | 1.29% | 1.39% |
| Everly | 0.84% | 0.92% | 1.03% | 1.11% | 1.20% |
| Fostoria | 1.04% | 1.12% | 1.18% | 1.25% | 1.31% |
| Gillett Grove | 0.95% | 1.11% | 1.30% | 1.72% | 2.05% |
| Greenville | 0.78% | 0.89% | 0.98% | 1.16% | 1.29% |
| Hartley | 0.68% | 0.85% | 0.91% | 1.01% | 1.07% |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Linn Grove | 0.86% | 0.96% | 1.03% | 1.17% | 1.29% |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Peterson | 0.83% | 1.08% | 1.37% | 1.61% | 1.67% |
| Royal | 0.80% | 0.96% | 1.17% | 1.30% | 1.36% |
| Ruthven | 0.99% | 1.09% | 1.24% | 1.31% | 1.34% |
| Sioux Rapids | 0.88% | 0.96% | 1.02% | 1.15% | 1.28% |
| Spencer | 1.10% | 1.33% | 1.43% | 1.51% | 1.57% |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Terril | 1.06% | 1.09% | 1.21% | 1.25% | 1.75% |
| Webb | 0.86% | 1.01% | 1.17% | 1.32% | 1.51% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Clay County, Iowa
In Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay 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, residents in Marathon face the highest median tax bill at $2,502, while those in Gillett Grove enjoy the lowest at $886. Being aware of these valuation processes in Clay County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Clay County Assessed Value
$145,050
Average Iowa Assessed Value
$167,100
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dickens | $23,870 | $62,532 | $124,470 | $197,975 | $258,209 |
| Everly | $38,516 | $68,362 | $107,870 | $175,802 | $258,071 |
| Fostoria | $38,358 | $64,422 | $106,125 | $154,310 | $215,697 |
| Gillett Grove | $5,068 | $20,540 | $57,080 | $123,430 | $188,282 |
| Greenville | $17,282 | $46,790 | $110,580 | $190,050 | $296,614 |
| Hartley | $104,632 | $143,600 | $218,240 | $296,680 | $381,460 |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Linn Grove | $83,040 | $123,205 | $177,590 | $222,692 | $285,736 |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Peterson | $12,510 | $38,140 | $74,500 | $129,340 | $231,506 |
| Royal | $23,075 | $46,650 | $85,550 | $138,458 | $236,020 |
| Ruthven | $50,402 | $113,162 | $200,385 | $303,040 | $436,270 |
| Sioux Rapids | $59,827 | $108,070 | $158,545 | $220,635 | $295,687 |
| Spencer | $67,132 | $106,520 | $158,530 | $226,680 | $331,996 |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Terril | $67,490 | $82,840 | $107,130 | $150,830 | $303,380 |
| Webb | $14,340 | $36,812 | $84,875 | $168,528 | $263,949 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Clay County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Clay County, Iowa, are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is determined by local assessors. The assessed value is then multiplied by the county's tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. Various factors influence the assessed value, including the property's market value, location, and any improvements made to it. For homeowners in Clay County, the median home price stands at $145,050. The property tax bill can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $1,167 and the 75th percentile at $2,877. At the 90th percentile, homeowners may see tax bills as high as $4,300. Comparatively, the national median property tax rate is 0.99%, making Clay County's rates relatively moderate. However, tax bills can differ widely within the county itself. For instance, Marathon has the highest median tax bill at $2,502, while Gillett Grove enjoys the lowest at $886. These variations can significantly impact homeowners' financial planning and overall cost of living.
Average Clay County Tax Bill
$1,910
Average Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Dickens | $269 | $657 | $1,397 | $2,178 | $2,806 |
| Everly | $376 | $701 | $1,128 | $1,671 | $2,428 |
| Fostoria | $382 | $716 | $1,218 | $1,816 | $2,626 |
| Gillett Grove | $123 | $377 | $886 | $1,785 | $2,220 |
| Greenville | $194 | $488 | $1,128 | $1,976 | $2,933 |
| Hartley | $994 | $1,308 | $1,904 | $2,853 | $3,628 |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Linn Grove | $826 | $1,378 | $1,840 | $2,294 | $3,175 |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Peterson | $166 | $490 | $1,014 | $1,638 | $2,674 |
| Royal | $208 | $508 | $977 | $1,478 | $2,333 |
| Ruthven | $662 | $1,240 | $2,374 | $3,744 | $5,508 |
| Sioux Rapids | $667 | $1,070 | $1,622 | $2,323 | $3,172 |
| Spencer | $962 | $1,458 | $2,181 | $3,182 | $4,696 |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Terril | $838 | $988 | $1,294 | $1,828 | $3,678 |
| Webb | $128 | $444 | $1,022 | $1,888 | $2,803 |
Source: Ownwell