Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes

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

Median Des Moines, IA effective property tax rate: 1.85%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Iowa state median of 1.54%.
Median Des Moines, IA home value: $176,000
Median annual Des Moines, IA tax bill: $3,138, $738 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Polk County calculated?

Property taxes in Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Des Moines, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.85%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,256

$3,021

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

Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Des Moines’ effective property tax rate to other cities in Iowa and the median property tax rates in Iowa and the U.S. Des Moines, located in Polk County, experiences a property tax rate that reflects local budgetary needs and property values. Polk County has a median tax rate of 1.85%, which is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Des Moines, the property tax rates can vary, with some areas experiencing rates as high as 2.06% in the 50309 zip code, while others have rates as low as 1.72% in the 50313 zip code. This variation demonstrates the impact of local financial requirements and property assessments on tax rates.

Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

1.33%

1.70%

2.06%

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 Des Moines Tax Rate

1.85%

Median Effective Polk County Tax Rate

1.69%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50309	0.17%	0.59%	2.06%	2.12%	2.25%
50310	1.75%	1.83%	1.88%	1.94%	1.99%
50311	1.69%	1.84%	1.90%	1.95%	2.03%
50312	1.73%	1.86%	1.91%	1.98%	2.07%
50313	1.21%	1.31%	1.72%	1.86%	1.96%
50314	1.33%	1.53%	1.73%	1.80%	1.93%
50315	1.69%	1.75%	1.83%	1.90%	1.97%
50316	1.54%	1.65%	1.79%	1.87%	1.96%
50317	1.32%	1.68%	1.81%	1.90%	1.98%
50320	1.55%	1.79%	1.85%	1.94%	2.01%
50321	1.68%	1.72%	1.78%	1.90%	2.03%
50322	1.83%	1.87%	1.93%	1.98%	2.04%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Des Moines, Iowa, 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: 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 Des Moines. For example, the median home price in Des Moines is $176,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 50321 has the highest median home price at $305,600.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$2,050

$223,775

$445,500

Median Des Moines Market Value

$176,000

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 Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50309	$16,800	$89,300	$196,100	$303,900	$445,560
50310	$134,400	$168,800	$206,700	$248,700	$291,400
50311	$113,910	$159,025	$203,400	$253,475	$308,590
50312	$130,680	$172,725	$251,850	$417,750	$631,670
50313	$86,300	$116,000	$150,400	$197,000	$298,820
50314	$12,200	$65,800	$96,800	$144,600	$203,500
50315	$101,400	$132,600	$168,000	$200,100	$232,400
50316	$67,100	$98,475	$129,400	$161,200	$190,800
50317	$78,600	$112,325	$155,850	$196,400	$246,800
50320	$86,100	$156,100	$232,300	$286,100	$332,200
50321	$173,580	$239,900	$305,600	$402,050	$525,560
50322	$143,510	$169,175	$194,650	$223,250	$262,680

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

In Des Moines, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the Polk County Assessor. The median home price in the area is $176,000. Property tax rates are applied to this assessed value to calculate the tax bill. Factors such as location, property type, and any applicable exemptions influence the final bill. Homeowners in Des Moines can expect a median property tax bill that may range significantly, with the 25th percentile at $2,172 and the 75th percentile at $4,166. The highest median tax bill in the area is $5,376 in the 50321 zip code, while the lowest is $1,480 in the 50314 zip code. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Des Moines homeowners may find themselves paying more or less depending on their specific circumstances. Ownwell assists homeowners by identifying potential savings through appeals and exemptions, helping to reduce the financial burden of property taxes and ensuring fair assessments.

Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$28

$3,264

$6,500

Median Des Moines Tax Bill

$3,138

Median Polk County Tax Bill

$3,904

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50309	$198	$506	$2,732	$4,876	$7,267
50310	$2,430	$3,107	$3,840	$4,644	$5,464
50311	$1,972	$2,930	$3,832	$4,768	$5,782
50312	$2,507	$3,326	$4,772	$7,812	$11,709
50313	$1,389	$1,954	$2,502	$3,186	$4,138
50314	$172	$986	$1,480	$2,222	$3,362
50315	$1,772	$2,362	$3,024	$3,634	$4,219
50316	$1,045	$1,620	$2,216	$2,824	$3,422
50317	$1,252	$1,864	$2,670	$3,498	$4,274
50320	$1,044	$2,466	$4,056	$5,118	$5,984
50321	$3,078	$4,210	$5,376	$6,950	$9,366
50322	$2,832	$3,286	$3,737	$4,269	$5,067

Source: Ownwell