Story County, Iowa Property Taxes
- Median Story County effective property tax rate: 1.36%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
- Median Story County home value: $219,000
- Median annual Story County tax bill: $2,904, $504 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Story County calculated?
Property taxes in Story 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 Ames or another part of Story County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Story County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.36%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,978
$2,764
Ownwell’s Story County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Story County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Story 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 Story County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Story County, Iowa
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Why? Because 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 Story County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median property tax rate. Story County has a median property tax rate of 1.36%, which is higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Iowa, the highest median tax rate is found in Slater at 1.69%, while State Center boasts the lowest at 1.03%. This illustrates the diversity in tax rates even within a single state. Understanding these variations is crucial for property owners looking to manage their tax liabilities effectively.
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 Story County Tax Rate
1.36%
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 Story County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | 1.09% | 1.20% | 1.31% | 1.50% | 1.68% |
| Cambridge | 1.08% | 1.23% | 1.53% | 1.62% | 1.71% |
| Collins | 1.00% | 1.16% | 1.50% | 1.66% | 1.71% |
| Colo | 0.93% | 1.04% | 1.56% | 1.65% | 1.75% |
| Gilbert | 1.10% | 1.38% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.62% |
| Huxley | 1.28% | 1.54% | 1.58% | 1.64% | 1.69% |
| Kelley | 1.06% | 1.12% | 1.41% | 1.56% | 1.62% |
| Maxwell | 1.02% | 1.13% | 1.48% | 1.60% | 1.69% |
| Mc Callsburg | 0.92% | 1.14% | 1.48% | 1.59% | 1.66% |
| Nevada | 1.02% | 1.29% | 1.50% | 1.58% | 1.66% |
| Roland | 0.95% | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.55% | 1.60% |
| Sheldahl | 1.08% | 1.23% | 1.34% | 1.42% | 1.46% |
| Slater | 1.35% | 1.63% | 1.69% | 1.75% | 1.80% |
| State Center | 0.90% | 0.91% | 1.03% | 1.11% | 1.26% |
| Story City | 0.99% | 1.22% | 1.32% | 1.37% | 1.42% |
| Zearing | 0.92% | 1.02% | 1.33% | 1.45% | 1.50% |
| Hubbard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Providence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Polk City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Radcliffe | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Anthony | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Story County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Story 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 Story 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 in Story County 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 Story County. For example, the median tax bill in Story County is $3,124, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Huxley has the highest median home price at $275,300.
Median Story County Market Value
$219,000
Median Iowa Market Value
$167,100
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Story County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $94,300 | $133,700 | $222,100 | $338,600 | $461,630 |
| Cambridge | $90,950 | $145,475 | $202,350 | $316,525 | $499,990 |
| Collins | $75,200 | $107,700 | $164,800 | $236,525 | $322,470 |
| Colo | $96,020 | $134,600 | $185,600 | $272,025 | $384,630 |
| Gilbert | $149,500 | $201,100 | $264,100 | $366,700 | $456,270 |
| Huxley | $90,000 | $197,200 | $275,300 | $391,400 | $486,380 |
| Kelley | $124,260 | $172,000 | $242,900 | $391,800 | $516,780 |
| Maxwell | $87,100 | $136,800 | $194,000 | $327,100 | $420,950 |
| Mc Callsburg | $62,060 | $108,100 | $167,900 | $257,550 | $322,080 |
| Nevada | $104,160 | $149,950 | $196,200 | $282,950 | $408,000 |
| Roland | $110,350 | $150,750 | $201,500 | $260,625 | $362,400 |
| Sheldahl | $65,680 | $103,300 | $152,200 | $215,700 | $286,800 |
| Slater | $132,410 | $181,425 | $222,850 | $296,300 | $388,470 |
| State Center | $151,720 | $191,850 | $265,100 | $307,150 | $388,640 |
| Story City | $103,130 | $163,575 | $220,650 | $323,650 | $438,810 |
| Zearing | $61,460 | $110,625 | $161,000 | $235,850 | $321,650 |
| Hubbard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Providence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Polk City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Radcliffe | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Anthony | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Story County, Iowa
In Story County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. The assessment considers factors such as the property's size, location, and condition. Once the assessed value is established, local tax rates are applied to calculate the tax bill. Story County's property tax bills can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $2,044 and the 75th percentile reaching $4,204. The 90th percentile tax bill climbs to $5,808, indicating a wide range of property tax obligations within the county. Homeowners in Huxley face the highest median tax bill at $4,250, while those in Sheldahl enjoy the lowest at $1,982. Comparatively, the national median property tax rate is 1.02%, with a median tax bill of $2,400. This means Story County's property tax bills can be considerably higher than the national average, affecting homeowners' financial planning and budgeting. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners to anticipate their property tax obligations accurately.
Median Story County Tax Bill
$2,904
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,508
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Story County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $1,340 | $2,006 | $2,838 | $4,202 | $5,832 |
| Cambridge | $1,380 | $2,265 | $2,950 | $3,983 | $6,058 |
| Collins | $1,104 | $1,547 | $2,280 | $2,921 | $3,912 |
| Colo | $1,352 | $1,938 | $2,698 | $3,398 | $4,418 |
| Gilbert | $1,827 | $2,762 | $3,725 | $4,923 | $6,260 |
| Huxley | $1,118 | $2,838 | $4,250 | $5,978 | $7,588 |
| Kelley | $1,785 | $2,486 | $3,385 | $4,532 | $5,784 |
| Maxwell | $1,275 | $1,990 | $2,764 | $3,872 | $5,195 |
| Mc Callsburg | $914 | $1,534 | $2,302 | $3,140 | $3,924 |
| Nevada | $1,518 | $2,222 | $2,872 | $3,801 | $5,067 |
| Roland | $1,620 | $2,154 | $2,906 | $3,676 | $4,838 |
| Sheldahl | $684 | $1,172 | $1,982 | $2,750 | $3,666 |
| Slater | $2,027 | $3,004 | $3,718 | $4,856 | $6,334 |
| State Center | $1,666 | $1,898 | $2,470 | $3,136 | $3,684 |
| Story City | $1,367 | $2,117 | $2,837 | $3,800 | $5,178 |
| Zearing | $782 | $1,458 | $2,110 | $2,794 | $3,536 |
| Hubbard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| New Providence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Polk City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Radcliffe | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Anthony | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell