Clay County Property Taxes

Clay County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

6.1% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$169/mo escrow

#19 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.18%

vs. Iowa Avg6.1% below
vs. National Avg24.6% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$171,500

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,081

$173/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$1,970

$164/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#19

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Clay County, Iowa

Clay County sits near national average

Clay County's effective tax rate of 1.183% falls modestly below the national median of 1.347%, placing it around the 45th percentile nationally. The county's $2,028 median property tax remains 25% below the national median of $2,690.

Moderate taxes for Iowa

At 1.183%, Clay County's effective rate runs slightly below Iowa's state average of 1.344%, keeping the county in the middle range statewide. The county's $2,028 median property tax sits between the state median of $2,160 and neighboring county averages.

Balanced taxes in north-central Iowa

Clay County's 1.183% rate falls between Cherokee's low 1.076% and Cerro Gordo's high 1.496%. The county offers a middle ground for homeowners seeking reasonable taxes without the extreme burden of Clarke or Clinton counties.

Mid-range bill on median home

A home valued at $171,500—Clay County's median—generates approximately $2,028 in annual property taxes under the 1.183% rate. With a mortgage, expect closer to $2,081; without, around $1,970.

Challenge inflated assessments

Even counties with moderate tax rates benefit from homeowner appeals when assessments exceed market value. Iowa's informal review process gives you a chance to lower your assessment at zero cost.

How Clay County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Clay County$2,028
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Clay County

1.18%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Clay County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Clay County, Iowa is 1.18%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Clay County?
The median annual property tax payment in Clay County is $2,028. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,081, while those without a mortgage pay $1,970.
How does Clay County compare to the Iowa average?
Clay County's effective tax rate of 1.18% is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Clay County is $2,028, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Clay County, Iowa?
The median home value in Clay County, Iowa is $171,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Clay County a low property tax area in Iowa?
Yes — Clay County's effective property tax rate of 1.18% is below the Iowa average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax of $2,028 is also lower the state average of $2,160, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Clay County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Clay County ranks #19 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.18% and median annual tax of $2,028, it falls in the lower third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Iowa

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.