Shelby County Property Taxes

Shelby County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

8.5% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$165/mo escrow

#32 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.26%

vs. Iowa Avg8.5% below
vs. National Avg26.5% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$156,200

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$1,942

$162/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$2,037

$170/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#32

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Shelby County, Iowa

Shelby County taxes near national average

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 1.265% is competitive with the national median, placing it slightly above the 1.1% national average. The median property tax of $1,976 runs about 26% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the county.

Close to Iowa's average rate

Shelby County's 1.265% effective rate sits just slightly below Iowa's state average of 1.344%. The median tax bill of $1,976 is also near the state median of $2,160, making Shelby fairly representative of Iowa property tax dynamics.

Moderate rates in regional context

Shelby County's 1.265% rate falls in the middle of its regional peers—lower than Story County's 1.472% or Tama County's 1.390%, but higher than Sac County's 1.028%.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $156,200 median-valued home in Shelby County pays roughly $1,976 annually in property taxes. That's approximately $165 per month—moderate for the state.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Overassessment is common across Iowa counties, and Shelby is no exception. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales in your area, you have the right to challenge it and potentially reduce your tax liability.

How Shelby County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Shelby County$1,976
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Shelby County

1.26%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Shelby County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Shelby County, Iowa is 1.26%. 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 Shelby County?
The median annual property tax payment in Shelby County is $1,976. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,942, while those without a mortgage pay $2,037.
How does Shelby County compare to the Iowa average?
Shelby County's effective tax rate of 1.26% is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Shelby County is $1,976, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Shelby County, Iowa?
The median home value in Shelby County, Iowa is $156,200, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Shelby County a low property tax area in Iowa?
Yes — Shelby County's effective property tax rate of 1.26% is below the Iowa average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax of $1,976 is also lower the state average of $2,160, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Shelby County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Shelby County ranks #32 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.26% and median annual tax of $1,976, 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.