Jefferson County Property Taxes

Jefferson County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

11% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$200/mo escrow

#77 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.49%

vs. Iowa Avg11% above
vs. National Avg10.9% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$161,200

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,420

$202/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$2,378

$198/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#77

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Jefferson County, Iowa

Jefferson County: high tax burden nationally

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 1.487% exceeds the national median, placing homeowners in a higher-tax region despite owning homes worth 43% less than the national average. The median property tax of $2,397 still falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the lower home values here.

Third-highest taxes in Iowa

Jefferson County ranks in the top tier of Iowa's 99 counties with an effective rate of 1.487%, well above the state average of 1.344%. The median tax bill of $2,397 significantly exceeds Iowa's state median of $2,160 by $237 annually.

Heaviest tax burden in the region

Jefferson County carries the highest effective tax rate among its peers, surpassing Jackson (1.252%), Jones (1.298%), Jasper (1.424%), and Kossuth (1.064%) counties. This makes Jefferson notably less tax-friendly than surrounding regional competitors.

What $161,200 home costs annually

On Jefferson County's median home value of $161,200, homeowners pay approximately $2,397 in annual property taxes. Whether you hold a mortgage or own outright, the tax bill remains consistent around $2,400 due to the county's uniform assessment approach.

You might be overpaying on taxes

Many Iowa homeowners are assessed above fair market value and don't realize they can appeal their assessments. If you believe your home's valuation is too high, a formal appeal could reduce your tax burden significantly—it's free to file.

How Jefferson County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Jefferson County$2,397
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Jefferson County

1.49%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Jefferson County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Jefferson County, Iowa is 1.49%. 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 Jefferson County?
The median annual property tax payment in Jefferson County is $2,397. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,420, while those without a mortgage pay $2,378.
How does Jefferson County compare to the Iowa average?
Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 1.49% is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Jefferson County is $2,397, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Jefferson County, Iowa?
The median home value in Jefferson County, Iowa is $161,200, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Jefferson County property tax rate higher than the Iowa average?
Jefferson County's effective property tax rate of 1.49% is higher than the Iowa average of 1.34%. This difference of 0.14% 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 Jefferson County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Jefferson County ranks #77 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.49% and median annual tax of $2,397, 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.