Story County Property Taxes

Story County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

66% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$299/mo escrow

#72 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.47%

vs. Iowa Avg66% above
vs. National Avg33.3% above

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$243,600

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$3,740

$312/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$3,394

$283/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#72

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Story County, Iowa

Story County taxes rank among Iowa's highest

Story County's effective tax rate of 1.472% sits well above the national median of 1.1%, putting it in the top quartile nationally. The median property tax of $3,586 runs 33% above the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest tax burden in Iowa

Story County ranks among the most heavily taxed in Iowa, with a 1.472% effective rate well above the state average of 1.344%. The median tax bill of $3,586 significantly exceeds the state median of $2,160, making it one of the priciest counties for property owners.

Story County leads the regional tax race

Story County's 1.472% rate is the highest in its region, edging out Scott County's 1.516%—though Scott's higher home values mean similar total burdens. All neighboring counties including Tama, Shelby, and Sioux have meaningfully lower rates.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $243,600 median-valued home in Story County pays approximately $3,586 annually in property taxes. That works out to nearly $299 per month—the highest in the region.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

Story County's elevated tax rates make assessment accuracy especially important. If you believe your home is overvalued on the tax rolls, filing an appeal could yield significant savings on your annual bill.

How Story County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Story County$3,586
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Story County

1.47%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Story County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Story County, Iowa is 1.47%. 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 Story County?
The median annual property tax payment in Story County is $3,586. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $3,740, while those without a mortgage pay $3,394.
How does Story County compare to the Iowa average?
Story County's effective tax rate of 1.47% is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Story County is $3,586, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Story County, Iowa?
The median home value in Story County, Iowa is $243,600, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Story County property tax rate higher than the Iowa average?
Story County's effective property tax rate of 1.47% is higher than the Iowa average of 1.34%. This difference of 0.13% 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 Story County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Story County ranks #72 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.47% and median annual tax of $3,586, 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.