Shelby County, Iowa Property Taxes

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

Median Shelby County effective property tax rate: 1.30%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Shelby County home value: $144,278
Median annual Shelby County tax bill: $2,060, $340 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Shelby County calculated?

Property taxes in Shelby 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 Harlan or another part of Shelby County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Shelby County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.3%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,876

$1,741

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

Property Tax Rates Across Shelby County, Iowa

Local government entities set tax rates, and these can vary widely within a state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates its budget needs to provide essential services and divides this by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. The result of this calculation is the property tax rate. Though votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.

Shelby County's effective property tax rate provides an interesting point of comparison. With a median property tax rate of 1.30%, it is noticeably higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within the county, the highest median tax rate can be found in Harlan at 1.53%, while Marne boasts the lowest at 0.97%. These figures highlight the variability within even a single county and underscore the importance of understanding local tax rates. By comparing Shelby County's rate to the national median, property owners can better assess their tax obligations and explore potential savings.

Property Tax Rates Across Shelby County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

0.97%

1.25%

1.53%

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 Shelby County Tax Rate

1.30%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Shelby County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atlantic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Audubon	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avoca	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Defiance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dow City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dunlap	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Earling	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Elk Horn	0.96%	1.17%	1.51%	1.62%	1.68%
Exira	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harlan	1.01%	1.30%	1.53%	1.66%	1.72%
Irwin	0.86%	0.93%	1.05%	1.22%	1.34%
Kimballton	0.92%	0.93%	1.03%	1.09%	1.12%
Kirkman	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manilla	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manning	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marne	0.93%	0.94%	0.97%	1.05%	1.10%
Panama	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Persia	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Portsmouth	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shelby	0.95%	1.03%	1.12%	1.18%	1.24%
Tennant	0.88%	0.99%	1.06%	1.17%	1.27%
Walnut	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Westphalia	1.11%	1.23%	1.39%	1.55%	1.59%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shelby County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County. For example, the median tax bill in Shelby County is $2,350, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Kimballton has the highest median home price at $209,314.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shelby County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$83,426

$146,370

$209,314

Median Shelby County Market Value

$144,278

Median Iowa Market Value

$167,100

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shelby County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atlantic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Audubon	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avoca	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Defiance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dow City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dunlap	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Earling	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Elk Horn	$26,606	$83,988	$138,539	$203,385	$281,101
Exira	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harlan	$29,969	$91,362	$150,484	$224,677	$362,416
Irwin	$8,455	$45,787	$86,887	$167,513	$282,678
Kimballton	$82,402	$171,724	$209,314	$319,309	$415,597
Kirkman	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manilla	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manning	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marne	$77,244	$112,666	$200,330	$312,998	$369,495
Panama	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Persia	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Portsmouth	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shelby	$27,047	$88,390	$167,776	$249,535	$337,867
Tennant	$39,033	$77,337	$105,932	$148,755	$192,278
Walnut	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Westphalia	$38,276	$60,810	$83,426	$141,659	$231,626

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Shelby County, Iowa

In Shelby 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 assessed value is then multiplied by the county's property tax rate to determine the tax bill. Homeowners in Shelby County can expect a median property tax bill of $2,350 in Marne, which is higher than the national median of $2,400. Meanwhile, Irwin offers some relief with the lowest median tax bill at $1,050. Factors such as location, property size, and improvements can influence the assessed value, affecting the overall tax bill. For example, homes in the 25th percentile have a tax bill of $1,298, while those in the 75th percentile face a significantly higher bill of $3,036. At the 90th percentile, the tax bill can reach up to $4,253. These variations highlight how property taxes can impact homeowners differently, depending on the specific characteristics of their property and its assessed value.

Property Tax Bills Across Shelby County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$1,050

$1,700

$2,350

Median Shelby County Tax Bill

$2,060

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Shelby County, Iowa

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Atlantic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Audubon	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Avoca	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Defiance	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dow City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Dunlap	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Earling	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Elk Horn	$914	$1,450	$2,082	$2,904	$3,674
Exira	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harlan	$970	$1,572	$2,286	$3,308	$4,656
Irwin	$340	$563	$1,050	$1,770	$2,754
Kimballton	$1,096	$1,620	$2,142	$3,378	$4,819
Kirkman	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manilla	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manning	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marne	$956	$1,100	$2,350	$3,130	$3,884
Panama	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Persia	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Portsmouth	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shelby	$683	$1,132	$1,898	$2,898	$3,781
Tennant	$312	$743	$1,141	$1,571	$2,180
Walnut	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Westphalia	$580	$887	$1,244	$2,144	$2,682

Source: Ownwell