Union County Property Taxes

Union County, Iowa

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

2.4% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$176/mo escrow

#98 of 99 counties in Iowa

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.79%

vs. Iowa Avg2.4% below
vs. National Avg21.6% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$117,800

State avg $160,608

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,086

$174/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$2,123

$177/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#98

of 99 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Union County, Iowa

Union County has Iowa's highest tax rate

Union County's effective tax rate of 1.790% ranks among the highest in the nation, about 63% above the national median of 1.1%. The median property tax of $2,108 is 22% below the national median of $2,690, as lower home values offset the high rate.

Highest-taxed county in Iowa

Union County's 1.790% effective rate is the highest in Iowa, significantly exceeding the state average of 1.344%. At $2,108 in median taxes, it falls below the state median of $2,160 only because of unusually low home values in the county.

Union County stands out for high rates

Union County's 1.790% rate dwarfs all nearby counties—nearly double that of Sac County at 1.028% and substantially higher than even Story County's 1.472%. This represents the steepest property tax burden in the entire state.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $117,800 median-valued home in Union County pays approximately $2,108 annually in property taxes. That's about $176 per month—the highest rate in the state on a per-value basis.

Assessment appeals are especially critical

With Union County's exceptionally high tax rate, verifying your assessment's fairness is essential. Any overassessment will cost you significantly more here than elsewhere—making an appeal potentially worth substantial annual savings.

How Union County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Union County$2,108
Iowa State Average$2,160
National Average$1,924

Union County

1.79%

Effective rate

Iowa Avg

1.34%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Union County, Iowa?
The effective property tax rate in Union County, Iowa is 1.79%. 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 Union County?
The median annual property tax payment in Union County is $2,108. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,086, while those without a mortgage pay $2,123.
How does Union County compare to the Iowa average?
Union County's effective tax rate of 1.79% is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. The median annual property tax in Union County is $2,108, compared to the state average of $2,160.
What is the median home value in Union County, Iowa?
The median home value in Union County, Iowa is $117,800, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Union County property tax rate higher than the Iowa average?
Union County's effective property tax rate of 1.79% is higher than the Iowa average of 1.34%. This difference of 0.44% 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 Union County rank for property taxes in Iowa?
Union County ranks #98 out of 99 counties in Iowa by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.79% and median annual tax of $2,108, 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.