Fayette County, Iowa Property Taxes
Median Fayette County effective property tax rate: 1.39%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Fayette County home value: $118,020
Median annual Fayette County tax bill: $1,568, $832 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Fayette County calculated?
Property taxes in Fayette 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 West Union or another part of Fayette County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Fayette County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.39%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,640
$1,522
Property Tax Rates Across Fayette County, Iowa
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each year, counties estimate their required budget to provide essential services and divide that by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in establishing these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
In Fayette County, the effective property tax rate is 1.39%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. The city of Oelwein within Fayette County has the highest median tax rate at 1.56%, while Lamont boasts the lowest at 1.00%. This variation illustrates how tax rates can differ even within a single county. When comparing Fayette County to other counties in Iowa, or even to the U.S. median property tax rate, it's clear that local factors significantly influence the rates. Understanding these dynamics can help property owners make informed decisions and potentially lower their tax burden through appeals or exemptions.
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 Fayette County Tax Rate
1.39%
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 Iowa Tax Rate
1.54%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Fayette County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 0.91% | 1.02% | 1.31% | 1.49% | 1.62% |
| Auburn Douglas | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Aurora | 0.89% | 0.95% | 1.06% | 1.21% | 1.38% |
| Castalia | 1.02% | 1.11% | 1.32% | 1.40% | 1.49% |
| Clermont | 0.98% | 1.18% | 1.33% | 1.43% | 1.46% |
| Elgin | 0.96% | 1.07% | 1.38% | 1.53% | 1.63% |
| Fairbank | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.28% | 1.32% | 1.36% |
| Fayette | 0.99% | 1.11% | 1.40% | 1.52% | 1.55% |
| Fort Atkinson | 0.86% | 0.90% | 1.17% | 1.26% | 1.30% |
| Fredericksburg | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hawkeye | 0.94% | 1.01% | 1.18% | 1.37% | 1.41% |
| Lamont | 0.88% | 0.92% | 1.00% | 1.27% | 1.36% |
| Maynard | 1.07% | 1.24% | 1.49% | 1.62% | 1.66% |
| Oelwein | 1.09% | 1.39% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.76% |
| Oran | 0.92% | 1.00% | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.49% |
| Ossian | 0.84% | 1.00% | 1.06% | 1.33% | 1.43% |
| Postville | 1.07% | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.45% | 1.50% |
| Randalia | 0.95% | 1.03% | 1.16% | 1.46% | 1.53% |
| Saint Lucas | 1.23% | 1.30% | 1.38% | 1.46% | 1.50% |
| Stanley | 0.96% | 1.05% | 1.39% | 1.50% | 1.58% |
| Strawberry Point | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | 0.92% | 0.98% | 1.06% | 1.33% | 1.45% |
| Wadena | 0.81% | 0.98% | 1.20% | 1.38% | 1.40% |
| Waucoma | 0.84% | 0.94% | 1.17% | 1.31% | 1.35% |
| Westgate | 1.02% | 1.10% | 1.36% | 1.56% | 1.58% |
| West Union | 0.97% | 1.11% | 1.39% | 1.51% | 1.56% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Fayette County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Fayette 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 Fayette County Assessor's Office 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 Fayette 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 Fayette County.
For example, the median tax bill in Fayette County is $2,570, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Stanley has the highest median home price at $324,560.
Median Fayette County Market Value
$118,020
Median Iowa Market Value
$167,100
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Fayette County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $28,740 | $70,980 | $139,300 | $252,980 | $408,300 |
| Auburn Douglas | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Aurora | $118,236 | $160,205 | $220,300 | $423,570 | $595,252 |
| Castalia | $141,910 | $184,220 | $279,600 | $387,470 | $475,804 |
| Clermont | $36,242 | $74,008 | $126,050 | $195,605 | $293,322 |
| Elgin | $39,575 | $71,092 | $126,445 | $208,378 | $315,500 |
| Fairbank | $122,738 | $178,820 | $259,340 | $348,155 | $415,454 |
| Fayette | $51,221 | $86,122 | $142,305 | $225,632 | $347,023 |
| Fort Atkinson | $94,813 | $120,880 | $184,035 | $272,108 | $374,485 |
| Fredericksburg | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hawkeye | $35,704 | $71,008 | $133,250 | $255,290 | $427,761 |
| Lamont | $122,599 | $171,062 | $259,590 | $411,805 | $587,276 |
| Maynard | $49,186 | $78,385 | $128,500 | $207,455 | $365,474 |
| Oelwein | $28,736 | $48,982 | $85,250 | $141,492 | $218,998 |
| Oran | $14,175 | $36,582 | $59,830 | $97,045 | $131,215 |
| Ossian | $152,316 | $216,560 | $254,050 | $358,320 | $468,054 |
| Postville | $119,956 | $214,130 | $288,970 | $424,820 | $516,230 |
| Randalia | $12,420 | $45,955 | $135,130 | $242,220 | $397,340 |
| Saint Lucas | $41,332 | $65,160 | $92,260 | $130,850 | $220,552 |
| Stanley | $147,162 | $215,320 | $324,560 | $530,295 | $646,236 |
| Strawberry Point | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | $108,900 | $167,298 | $229,230 | $356,978 | $492,770 |
| Wadena | $32,722 | $57,730 | $119,560 | $217,885 | $327,586 |
| Waucoma | $30,068 | $64,210 | $129,590 | $237,460 | $436,842 |
| Westgate | $35,326 | $57,570 | $129,750 | $226,740 | $367,634 |
| West Union | $46,850 | $78,855 | $134,740 | $213,590 | $338,036 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Fayette County, Iowa
Median Fayette County Tax Bill
$1,568
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Fayette County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $359 | $884 | $1,584 | $3,014 | $5,214 |
| Auburn Douglas | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Aurora | $1,240 | $1,483 | $2,280 | $4,684 | $6,889 |
| Castalia | $1,535 | $2,480 | $3,372 | $5,426 | $5,896 |
| Clermont | $468 | $888 | $1,612 | $2,510 | $3,742 |
| Elgin | $557 | $1,000 | $1,675 | $2,541 | $4,134 |
| Fairbank | $1,467 | $2,186 | $3,032 | $4,432 | $5,332 |
| Fayette | $644 | $1,192 | $1,872 | $2,828 | $4,434 |
| Fort Atkinson | $913 | $1,170 | $1,899 | $2,893 | $4,046 |
| Fredericksburg | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hawkeye | $406 | $834 | $1,552 | $2,742 | $5,621 |
| Lamont | $993 | $1,456 | $2,507 | $5,522 | $6,872 |
| Maynard | $710 | $1,145 | $1,842 | $2,634 | $4,738 |
| Oelwein | $434 | $754 | $1,295 | $2,104 | $3,127 |
| Oran | $195 | $379 | $703 | $1,031 | $1,396 |
| Ossian | $1,768 | $2,212 | $2,444 | $4,676 | $5,578 |
| Postville | $1,295 | $2,296 | $3,296 | $4,688 | $6,902 |
| Randalia | $182 | $635 | $1,478 | $2,863 | $4,664 |
| Saint Lucas | $503 | $912 | $1,242 | $1,848 | $2,824 |
| Stanley | $1,613 | $2,061 | $4,326 | $7,763 | $9,086 |
| Strawberry Point | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | $1,032 | $1,747 | $2,520 | $4,295 | $6,232 |
| Wadena | $378 | $692 | $1,274 | $2,275 | $3,769 |
| Waucoma | $301 | $734 | $1,318 | $2,762 | $5,190 |
| Westgate | $453 | $838 | $1,571 | $2,598 | $5,081 |
| West Union | $629 | $1,048 | $1,732 | $2,722 | $4,085 |
Source: Ownwell