Decatur County Property Taxes

Decatur County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

14.1% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$155/mo escrow

#96 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.70%

vs. Iowa Avg14.1% below
vs. National Avg31% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$109,500

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$1,914

$160/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$1,759

$147/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#96

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur County has nation's steepest rate

Decatur County's effective property tax rate of 1.695% ranks among the highest in the nation, nearly 55% above the national median of 1.1%. Despite lower absolute taxes due to modest home values, this rate structure imposes one of the country's heaviest tax burdens on property.

Iowa's most aggressive property taxer

Decatur County's 1.695% effective rate is the highest among all Iowa counties, towering 26% above the state average of 1.344%. This aggressive rate means property owners here carry a disproportionate share of local government costs compared to their counterparts statewide.

Decatur County far outpaces neighbors

At 1.695%, Decatur County's rate dwarfs those of surrounding counties—Davis County (1.518%), Des Moines County (1.531%), and Delaware County (1.343%) all fall significantly below. This makes Decatur the clear tax leader in south-central Iowa, driven by local spending needs and assessment practices.

Your annual Decatur County tax bill

On a median home valued at $109,500, Decatur County homeowners pay approximately $1,856 per year in property taxes. For those with a mortgage, the annual escrow amount is typically $1,914; those without a mortgage pay around $1,759.

Your tax bill may be too high

In Decatur County's high-tax environment, overassessment is especially costly to homeowners. A professional assessment challenge could yield meaningful savings given the county's aggressive rate structure.

How Decatur County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Decatur County$1,856
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Decatur County

1.70%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Decatur County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Decatur County, Iowa is 1.70%. 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 Decatur County?
The median annual property tax payment in Decatur County is $1,856. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,914, while those without a mortgage pay $1,759.
How does Decatur County compare to the Iowa average?
Decatur County's effective tax rate of 1.70% is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Decatur County is $1,856, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Decatur County, Iowa?
The median home value in Decatur County, Iowa is $109,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Decatur County property tax rate higher than the Iowa average?
Decatur County's effective property tax rate of 1.70% is higher than the Iowa average of 1.34%. This difference of 0.35% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Decatur County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Decatur County ranks #96 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.70% and median annual tax of $1,856, it falls in the upper 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.