Palo Alto County, Iowa Property Taxes

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

Median Palo Alto County effective property tax rate: 1.26%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Palo Alto County home value: $111,265
Median annual Palo Alto County tax bill: $1,364, $1,036 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Palo Alto County calculated?

Property taxes in Palo Alto 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 Emmetsburg or another part of Palo Alto County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Palo Alto County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.26%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,402

$1,301

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

Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each year, counties calculate their required budget to provide essential services and divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This process determines the property tax rate. While votes and laws influence the setting of tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual procedure.

Palo Alto County's effective property tax rate stands at 1.26%, which is above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Iowa, Emmetsburg boasts the highest median tax rate at 1.39%, while Whittemore has the lowest at 0.86%. Comparing these figures, Palo Alto County's rate is relatively high, reflecting the variance in tax rates across different regions. Understanding these differences can help property owners anticipate their tax liabilities and explore potential savings through appeals or exemptions. By staying informed, property owners can make better financial decisions and ensure they are not overpaying on their property taxes.

Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

0.86%

1.13%

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 Palo Alto County Tax Rate

1.26%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Ayrshire	0.59%	0.82%	1.02%	1.25%	1.56%
Curlew	0.69%	0.81%	1.01%	1.20%	1.33%
Cylinder	0.72%	0.81%	0.95%	1.15%	1.35%
Emmetsburg	0.91%	1.21%	1.39%	1.54%	1.70%
Fenton	0.72%	0.80%	0.88%	1.24%	1.40%
Graettinger	0.91%	1.12%	1.35%	1.54%	1.61%
Havelock	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Laurens	0.69%	0.81%	0.97%	1.25%	1.60%
Mallard	0.68%	0.83%	1.00%	1.18%	1.30%
Ringsted	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rolfe	0.74%	0.79%	0.92%	1.00%	1.11%
Ruthven	0.78%	0.96%	1.20%	1.60%	1.76%
Terril	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
West Bend	0.82%	1.03%	1.14%	1.22%	1.32%
Whittemore	0.66%	0.80%	0.86%	0.99%	1.10%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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: 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 Palo Alto County. For example, the median tax bill in Palo Alto County is $1,147, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Whittemore has the highest median home price at $170,495.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$40,450

$105,473

$170,495

Median Palo Alto County Market Value

$111,265

Median Iowa Market Value

$167,100

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Ayrshire	$8,308	$19,445	$40,450	$157,415	$306,292
Curlew	$12,066	$31,230	$111,370	$191,330	$247,406
Cylinder	$17,315	$47,392	$136,375	$197,850	$287,440
Emmetsburg	$43,340	$72,435	$120,250	$203,870	$334,000
Fenton	$68,684	$108,025	$146,460	$238,000	$370,300
Graettinger	$32,265	$49,390	$83,225	$142,985	$224,540
Havelock	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Laurens	$32,360	$79,385	$144,510	$177,155	$245,108
Mallard	$25,055	$40,678	$87,310	$154,638	$242,168
Ringsted	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rolfe	$92,500	$99,210	$158,300	$262,570	$322,240
Ruthven	$28,074	$51,095	$98,220	$191,238	$329,250
Terril	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
West Bend	$37,214	$82,880	$147,960	$240,070	$325,526
Whittemore	$94,573	$109,015	$170,495	$283,705	$365,427

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

In Palo Alto County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local tax assessors. The median home price in the county is $111,265. Homeowners in this region typically pay a property tax bill that varies across different percentiles. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $766, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $2,338, and the 90th percentile tax bill reaches $3,644. These figures indicate a range of tax burdens depending on the property's assessed value and location within the county. In Rolfe, the highest median tax bill is $1,762, whereas Ayrshire has the lowest median tax bill of $496. Comparatively, the national median property tax bill is $2,400, highlighting that some homeowners in Palo Alto County may experience lower tax burdens. These varying tax bills significantly impact homeowners' financial planning and decision-making, influencing factors such as homeownership affordability and long-term investment strategies.

Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$496

$1,129

$1,762

Median Palo Alto County Tax Bill

$1,364

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Palo Alto County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Ayrshire	$80	$188	$496	$1,682	$2,930
Curlew	$144	$294	$1,203	$1,911	$2,385
Cylinder	$138	$565	$1,242	$1,838	$2,844
Emmetsburg	$597	$982	$1,650	$2,750	$4,422
Fenton	$669	$1,071	$1,467	$2,224	$3,342
Graettinger	$385	$652	$1,103	$1,778	$2,431
Havelock	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Laurens	$286	$934	$1,142	$1,748	$2,123
Mallard	$221	$422	$794	$1,588	$2,474
Ringsted	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rolfe	$750	$843	$1,762	$2,612	$3,350
Ruthven	$377	$670	$1,220	$2,104	$3,444
Terril	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
West Bend	$329	$852	$1,668	$2,689	$3,739
Whittemore	$690	$1,013	$1,501	$2,542	$3,241

Source: Ownwell