10 Counties with the Lowest Property Tax Rates in Iowa
If you are comparing property taxes across Iowa, these 10 counties have the lowest effective rates in the state. The lowest-rate county, Lyon County, comes in at 0.92% — 0.51% lower than the Iowa average (1.43%). The statewide effective rate is 1.43%.
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| # | County | Effective Rate | Median Tax | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lyon County | 0.92% | $1,983 | $215,600 |
| 2 | Dickinson County | 0.98% | $2,458 | $251,600 |
| 3 | O'Brien County | 0.99% | $1,572 | $158,900 |
| 4 | Sac County | 1.03% | $1,423 | $138,400 |
| 5 | Osceola County | 1.05% | $1,302 | $123,800 |
| 6 | Carroll County | 1.05% | $1,849 | $175,700 |
| 7 | Kossuth County | 1.06% | $1,437 | $135,100 |
| 8 | Ida County | 1.06% | $1,158 | $108,800 |
| 9 | Grundy County | 1.07% | $1,929 | $180,500 |
| 10 | Worth County | 1.08% | $1,530 | $142,300 |
How this ranking is calculated
The effective property tax rate is the median annual property tax paid divided by the median home value in each county, expressed as a percentage. It is the most practical way to compare property tax burden between counties because it neutralizes differences in home values.
Counties with the lowest rates in Iowa often share a few characteristics: higher home values that compress the percentage even when dollar taxes are high.
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