Polk County Property Tax Rate

Iowa · 2023 Data

1.76%effective rate

Polk County, Iowa has an effective property tax rate of 1.76%, which is 85% higher than the national average of 0.95%. On a home valued at $248,400, homeowners pay approximately $4,364 per year in property taxes. Polk County ranks #3 out of 99 counties in Iowa for property tax rates.

Median Tax Paid🏠

$4,364

Per year

Median Home Value📊

$248,400

2023 estimate

Tax as % of Income💰

5.35%

Median income: $81,621

State Rank📍

#3

of 99 counties in IA

Tax Breakdown

With Mortgage

$4,498

median annual tax

Without Mortgage

$4,033

median annual tax

Homeowners with a mortgage in Polk County pay on average $465 more per year than those without. This difference often reflects how property tax escrow accounts in mortgaged homes capture the full tax obligation.

How Polk County Compares

Polk County
1.76%
Iowa Average
1.43%
National Average
0.95%

Top Counties in Iowa

Montgomery
1.79%
Union
1.79%
Polk
1.76%
Decatur
1.69%
Linn
1.66%
Wapello
1.64%
Henry
1.61%
Pottawattamie
1.61%

Historical Property Tax Trends

YearMedian TaxMedian Home ValueEffective Rate
2019$3,549$179,9001.97%
2020$3,696$190,4001.94%
2021$3,891$201,3001.93%
2022$4,208$232,0001.81%
2023$4,364$248,4001.76%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Iowa Property Tax Exemptions

Available to Polk County homeowners

General Homestead

Up to $4,850 of assessed value or actual levy credit

Primary residence owners as of July 1

Disabled Veteran

100% exemption from property taxes

Veterans with 100% permanent service-connected disability

Property Tax Credit (Over 65/Disabled)

Credit based on income; may cover up to 100% of taxes

Homeowners age 65+ or totally disabled with income under $25,328

Property Tax Calculator

Estimate your annual property tax in Polk County

$
$50k$2M

Estimated Annual Property Tax

$5,280

$440/month · Rate: 1.76%

Quick Facts

Population497,441
Owner-Occupied63.1%
National Rank#183 of 3,133
Median Income$81,621

Think your property tax is too high?

Homeowners save an average of $1,148/year by appealing their assessment.

Learn How to Appeal →

Frequently Asked Questions

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rates are calculated by dividing median real estate taxes paid by median home value. Actual property tax rates may vary based on local taxing jurisdictions, exemptions, and assessment practices. This information is for general reference only and should not be used as a substitute for professional tax advice.