Mahaska County, Iowa Property Taxes
Median Mahaska County effective property tax rate: 1.54%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Mahaska County home value: $125,860
Median annual Mahaska County tax bill: $1,886, $514 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Mahaska County calculated?
Property taxes in Mahaska 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 Oskaloosa or another part of Mahaska County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Mahaska County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.54%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,938
$1,799
Ownwell’s Mahaska County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Mahaska County with just two data points.
By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Mahaska 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 Mahaska County.
For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Mahaska County, Iowa
Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can vary significantly within a state. Annually, each county estimates the budget needed for services and divides it by the total assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. This process involves votes and laws, but this is the essence of how tax rates are determined each year.
Mahaska County, for example, has an effective property tax rate of 1.54%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Mahaska County, Oskaloosa boasts the highest median tax rate at 1.72%, while Beacon has the lowest at 1.04%. These rates illustrate the variation that can exist even within a single county.
Comparing Mahaska County's rate to both Iowa's other counties and the national median provides valuable insight into how local property tax rates can impact property owners. Understanding these differences is crucial for property owners seeking to manage their tax liabilities effectively.
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 Mahaska County Tax Rate
1.54%
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 Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | 1.05% | 1.18% | 1.31% | 1.54% | 1.76% |
| Beacon | 0.87% | 0.95% | 1.04% | 1.20% | 1.38% |
| Bussey | 0.97% | 1.05% | 1.11% | 1.22% | 1.30% |
| Cedar | 0.89% | 0.98% | 1.05% | 1.19% | 1.33% |
| Eddyville | 0.93% | 1.06% | 1.29% | 1.41% | 1.71% |
| Fremont | 1.03% | 1.16% | 1.28% | 1.44% | 1.60% |
| Leighton | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.19% | 1.37% | 1.56% |
| Lynnville | 0.99% | 1.11% | 1.14% | 1.37% | 1.55% |
| Montezuma | 0.83% | 0.91% | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.18% |
| New Sharon | 1.02% | 1.14% | 1.41% | 1.60% | 1.79% |
| Oskaloosa | 1.09% | 1.36% | 1.72% | 1.93% | 2.11% |
| Pella | 0.97% | 1.04% | 1.13% | 1.24% | 1.38% |
| Rose Hill | 0.83% | 0.99% | 1.13% | 1.32% | 1.58% |
| Taintor | 0.99% | 1.01% | 1.07% | 1.23% | 1.32% |
| Tracy | 0.90% | 0.95% | 1.06% | 1.22% | 1.33% |
| University Park | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.18% | 1.34% | 1.42% |
| What Cheer | 0.82% | 0.99% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.33% |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Mahaska County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Mahaska 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 Mahaska 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 Mahaska 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 Mahaska County. For example, the median tax bill in Mahaska County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Pella has the highest median home price at $236,950.
Median Mahaska County Market Value
$125,860
Median Iowa Market Value
$167,100
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | $9,996 | $32,630 | $70,950 | $123,790 | $190,672 |
| Beacon | $13,030 | $42,225 | $84,515 | $121,265 | $161,420 |
| Bussey | $74,228 | $103,990 | $161,900 | $200,455 | $302,282 |
| Cedar | $54,426 | $92,130 | $163,730 | $260,130 | $348,618 |
| Eddyville | $24,698 | $55,860 | $110,920 | $176,850 | $245,202 |
| Fremont | $35,658 | $69,240 | $103,710 | $156,480 | $228,840 |
| Leighton | $28,190 | $91,410 | $168,770 | $262,065 | $367,394 |
| Lynnville | $138,888 | $165,382 | $207,165 | $263,450 | $429,959 |
| Montezuma | $123,324 | $186,940 | $206,870 | $287,260 | $343,101 |
| New Sharon | $44,810 | $88,135 | $139,995 | $213,120 | $306,840 |
| Oskaloosa | $42,660 | $74,545 | $123,195 | $204,422 | $309,896 |
| Pella | $107,055 | $163,010 | $236,950 | $362,650 | $486,595 |
| Rose Hill | $10,685 | $34,280 | $107,360 | $194,508 | $276,003 |
| Taintor | $6,050 | $10,990 | $45,450 | $53,870 | $116,980 |
| Tracy | $33,400 | $67,010 | $138,370 | $214,660 | $265,515 |
| University Park | $39,566 | $68,612 | $103,615 | $144,098 | $187,491 |
| What Cheer | $91,434 | $124,305 | $170,840 | $234,015 | $390,143 |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Mahaska County, Iowa
Median Mahaska County Tax Bill
$1,886
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | $145 | $428 | $878 | $1,495 | $2,207 |
| Beacon | $118 | $450 | $875 | $1,240 | $1,539 |
| Bussey | $960 | $1,275 | $1,674 | $2,089 | $2,886 |
| Cedar | $566 | $985 | $1,924 | $2,826 | $3,628 |
| Eddyville | $322 | $774 | $1,463 | $2,052 | $2,771 |
| Fremont | $519 | $948 | $1,344 | $1,874 | $2,658 |
| Leighton | $355 | $1,362 | $2,044 | $2,898 | $3,812 |
| Lynnville | $1,805 | $2,108 | $2,305 | $2,868 | $4,914 |
| Montezuma | $1,293 | $1,701 | $2,308 | $2,898 | $3,674 |
| New Sharon | $665 | $1,244 | $1,938 | $2,662 | $3,699 |
| Oskaloosa | $784 | $1,326 | $2,016 | $3,048 | $4,277 |
| Pella | $1,249 | $1,973 | $2,825 | $3,911 | $5,273 |
| Rose Hill | $114 | $406 | $1,209 | $2,228 | $2,830 |
| Taintor | $68 | $174 | $476 | $608 | $1,373 |
| Tracy | $412 | $808 | $1,530 | $2,166 | $2,555 |
| University Park | $572 | $868 | $1,264 | $1,632 | $2,008 |
| What Cheer | $791 | $1,262 | $2,077 | $2,474 | $3,307 |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell