Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
Median Polk County effective property tax rate: 1.69%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Polk County home value: $231,500
Median annual Polk County tax bill: $3,904, $1,504 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk County calculated?
Property taxes in Polk 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 Des Moines or another part of Polk County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.69%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,912
$3,631
Property Tax Rates Across Polk County, Iowa
Local government entities determine tax rates, which can significantly differ across a state. This variation arises because each county annually calculates its budget needs for public services and divides this by the total assessed value of all taxable properties within its boundaries. This process determines the property tax rate. While the setting of tax rates and budgets involves votes and legislation, this is essentially how it unfolds each year.
In Polk County, Iowa, the effective property tax rate is noticeably higher than the national median rate of 1.02%. Polk County boasts a median property tax rate of 1.69%, with Des Moines having the highest median rate at 1.85% and Berwick the lowest at 1.33%. This positions Polk County above the national average, reflecting the diverse fiscal needs and property values within the region. Homeowners in Polk County may find their property tax bills surpass the national median bill of $2,400, underscoring the importance of understanding local tax dynamics and exploring potential avenues for 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 Polk County Tax Rate
1.69%
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 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% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Polk County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County. For example, the median tax bill in Polk County is $4,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Mingo has the highest median home price at $445,500.
Median Polk County Market Value
$231,500
Median Iowa Market Value
$167,100
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Polk County, Iowa
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$3,904
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell