Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Polk County is 1.69%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and Iowa's state median of 1.54%. With the median home value in Polk County at $231,500, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $3,904, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Polk County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which usually falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions, such as primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Polk 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 Des Moines or another part of Polk County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.69%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,912
$3,631
Ownwell’s Polk County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Polk County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Polk County to estimate your property tax bill. This tool provides valuable insight into potential tax liabilities, helping you plan better for the future. 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 Polk County, Iowa
Property taxes in Polk County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Polk County is 1.69%, which is higher than both the Iowa state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Polk County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Polk 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 Polk County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Iowa and the national median. For comparison, the city of Des Moines has one of the higher property tax rates in Iowa at 1.85%, while the city of Cumming boasts one of the lowest at 1.19%. Analyzing how Polk County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Polk County Tax Rate
1.69%
Average Iowa Tax Rate
1.54%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | 1.58% | 1.63% | 1.66% | 1.69% | 1.73% |
| Altoona | 1.35% | 1.56% | 1.64% | 1.68% | 1.73% |
| Ankeny | 1.49% | 1.59% | 1.64% | 1.69% | 1.75% |
| Berwick | 1.08% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.36% | 1.37% |
| Bondurant | 1.08% | 1.40% | 1.70% | 1.75% | 1.79% |
| Cambridge | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.56% | 1.64% |
| Carlisle | 1.32% | 1.37% | 1.47% | 1.54% | 1.87% |
| Clive | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.49% | 1.55% | 1.62% |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Des Moines | 1.45% | 1.73% | 1.85% | 1.92% | 2.01% |
| Elkhart | 1.36% | 1.52% | 1.72% | 1.81% | 1.89% |
| Granger | 1.26% | 1.29% | 1.49% | 1.87% | 1.92% |
| Grimes | 1.41% | 1.59% | 1.70% | 1.76% | 1.82% |
| Huxley | 1.51% | 1.53% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.98% |
| Johnston | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.55% | 1.61% | 1.64% |
| Madrid | 1.35% | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.49% | 1.57% |
| Maxwell | 1.36% | 1.40% | 1.44% | 1.54% | 1.72% |
| Mingo | 1.35% | 1.36% | 1.37% | 1.41% | 1.48% |
| Mitchellville | 1.35% | 1.40% | 1.45% | 1.50% | 1.56% |
| Pleasant Hill | 1.26% | 1.44% | 1.62% | 1.67% | 1.73% |
| Polk City | 1.41% | 1.71% | 1.76% | 1.82% | 1.94% |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Runnells | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.35% | 1.44% | 1.61% |
| Sheldahl | 1.35% | 1.52% | 1.58% | 1.67% | 1.71% |
| Slater | 1.44% | 1.51% | 1.52% | 1.59% | 1.77% |
| Urbandale | 1.46% | 1.51% | 1.65% | 1.71% | 1.77% |
| West Des Moines | 1.44% | 1.49% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.60% |
| Windsor Heights | 1.64% | 1.67% | 1.73% | 1.80% | 1.86% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Polk County, Iowa
In Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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. Being aware of these valuation processes in Polk County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. In Polk County, the highest median tax bill is in Cumming at $34,290, while the lowest is in Carlisle at $2,152.
Average Polk County Assessed Value
$231,500
Average Iowa Assessed Value
$167,100
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | $158,900 | $209,300 | $294,100 | $383,100 | $522,400 |
| Altoona | $61,800 | $196,605 | $267,100 | $332,925 | $408,800 |
| Ankeny | $144,400 | $221,800 | $298,700 | $389,650 | $490,900 |
| Berwick | $1,800 | $1,900 | $2,050 | $50,325 | $199,800 |
| Bondurant | $142,400 | $220,200 | $288,500 | $355,200 | $445,108 |
| Cambridge | $202,272 | $271,425 | $411,035 | $509,700 | $585,720 |
| Carlisle | $70,140 | $103,100 | $148,000 | $211,200 | $276,700 |
| Clive | $222,450 | $276,075 | $334,050 | $435,325 | $608,200 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Des Moines | $87,300 | $128,200 | $176,000 | $231,400 | $308,100 |
| Elkhart | $122,480 | $199,800 | $259,000 | $317,925 | $426,420 |
| Granger | $280,640 | $336,000 | $409,500 | $540,000 | $696,960 |
| Grimes | $120,500 | $232,625 | $315,200 | $403,975 | $520,310 |
| Huxley | $136,325 | $220,685 | $274,400 | $359,920 | $528,770 |
| Johnston | $183,700 | $249,400 | $343,600 | $447,225 | $597,100 |
| Madrid | $107,258 | $249,500 | $339,200 | $423,900 | $563,472 |
| Maxwell | $98,170 | $173,775 | $249,565 | $347,340 | $495,930 |
| Mingo | $157,305 | $283,348 | $445,500 | $515,520 | $532,750 |
| Mitchellville | $85,950 | $145,500 | $198,500 | $289,900 | $410,100 |
| Pleasant Hill | $148,600 | $221,300 | $273,700 | $350,800 | $436,980 |
| Polk City | $126,900 | $234,375 | $346,000 | $478,850 | $628,140 |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Runnells | $145,020 | $237,160 | $339,660 | $468,000 | $583,000 |
| Sheldahl | $85,560 | $132,850 | $166,800 | $245,225 | $345,860 |
| Slater | $169,228 | $194,500 | $260,470 | $348,050 | $457,532 |
| Urbandale | $169,840 | $225,400 | $278,800 | $350,600 | $424,600 |
| West Des Moines | $134,200 | $209,825 | $281,000 | $362,900 | $518,100 |
| Windsor Heights | $158,710 | $205,900 | $253,600 | $295,850 | $340,180 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Polk County, Iowa
In Polk County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor's office. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. Several factors influence this calculation, including the property's market value, location, and any applicable exemptions or deductions. For instance, the median home price in Polk County is $231,500. At the 25th percentile, homeowners can expect a tax bill around $2,672, while those at the 75th percentile may see bills as high as $5,320. The 90th percentile tax bills can reach up to $7,104. These figures demonstrate the variability in tax bills based on property values and other factors. Comparatively, Polk County's property tax rates can be significant, especially when considering the highest median tax bill in the city of Cumming at $34,290, while Carlisle has the lowest at $2,152. Understanding these factors helps homeowners anticipate their annual financial obligations and plan accordingly.
Average Polk County Tax Bill
$3,904
Average Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | $2,704 | $3,453 | $4,972 | $6,447 | $8,733 |
| Altoona | $2,352 | $3,318 | $4,290 | $5,338 | $6,442 |
| Ankeny | $2,664 | $3,750 | $4,938 | $6,416 | $8,010 |
| Berwick | $24 | $24 | $28 | $422 | $2,318 |
| Bondurant | $2,491 | $3,347 | $4,734 | $5,736 | $6,961 |
| Cambridge | $2,758 | $4,098 | $6,044 | $7,798 | $8,939 |
| Carlisle | $940 | $1,440 | $2,152 | $3,144 | $4,740 |
| Clive | $3,461 | $4,162 | $4,996 | $6,432 | $9,220 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Des Moines | $1,374 | $2,172 | $3,138 | $4,166 | $5,492 |
| Elkhart | $2,050 | $3,121 | $4,186 | $5,195 | $6,811 |
| Granger | $3,498 | $5,032 | $6,500 | $8,006 | $9,633 |
| Grimes | $2,172 | $3,853 | $5,226 | $6,804 | $8,737 |
| Huxley | $2,346 | $4,002 | $4,491 | $5,498 | $8,245 |
| Johnston | $3,146 | $4,002 | $5,370 | $7,046 | $9,424 |
| Madrid | $2,570 | $3,925 | $4,909 | $6,158 | $8,242 |
| Maxwell | $1,549 | $2,458 | $3,622 | $5,372 | $7,132 |
| Mingo | $2,067 | $3,790 | $6,118 | $7,340 | $7,756 |
| Mitchellville | $1,657 | $2,308 | $2,960 | $4,246 | $5,925 |
| Pleasant Hill | $2,290 | $3,340 | $4,250 | $5,396 | $6,749 |
| Polk City | $2,820 | $4,257 | $6,138 | $8,074 | $10,608 |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Runnells | $2,137 | $3,271 | $4,588 | $6,295 | $7,940 |
| Sheldahl | $1,300 | $2,008 | $2,512 | $3,770 | $4,314 |
| Slater | $2,719 | $3,108 | $3,948 | $6,450 | $7,893 |
| Urbandale | $2,828 | $3,770 | $4,518 | $5,580 | $6,854 |
| West Des Moines | $2,196 | $3,244 | $4,332 | $5,664 | $8,154 |
| Windsor Heights | $2,801 | $3,580 | $4,356 | $5,068 | $5,886 |
Source: Ownwell