Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Storm Lake, IA effective property tax rate: 1.61%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Iowa state median of 1.54%.
Median Storm Lake, IA home value: $164,280
Median annual Storm Lake, IA tax bill: $2,518, $118 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Buena Vista calculated?

Property taxes in Storm Lake, IA are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding Storm Lake’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Storm Lake, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.61%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$2,645

$2,454

Ownwell’s Storm Lake Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Storm Lake with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Storm Lake’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Buena Vista County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget to provide services annually and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Storm Lake’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Iowa and the median property tax rates in Iowa and the U.S. Storm Lake, located in Buena Vista County, has a median property tax rate of 1.61%, which is notably higher than the national median of 1.02%. This means homeowners in Storm Lake may face higher property tax bills compared to other regions. Understanding these differences can be crucial for potential homeowners or investors considering property in Storm Lake. By being informed about property tax rates, you can make more educated decisions regarding your property investments.

Property Tax Rates Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

0.97%

1.29%

1.61%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Storm Lake Tax Rate

1.61%

Median Effective Buena Vista County Tax Rate

1.46%

Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate

1.54%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50588	1.25%	1.52%	1.61%	1.70%	1.75%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

When examining property taxes in Storm Lake, Iowa, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Buena Vista County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.

In Buena Vista County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Storm Lake. For example, the median home price in Storm Lake is $164,280, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 50588 has the highest median home price at $164,280.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$34,295

$123,713

$213,130

Median Storm Lake Market Value

$164,280

Median Buena Vista County Market Value

$152,730

Median Iowa Market Value

$167,100

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50588	$84,510	$118,400	$164,280	$244,110	$361,658

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

In Storm Lake, situated in Buena Vista County, IA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home. The median home price here is $164,280, and property tax bills can vary significantly. A homeowner in the 25th percentile may pay around $1,835 annually, while those in the 75th and 90th percentiles face bills of approximately $3,653 and $5,421, respectively. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Storm Lake's tax bills can be relatively high. Factors influencing these bills include the property's assessed value and the local tax rate. For homeowners, this means that even a small increase in the assessed value could lead to a noticeable rise in their tax bill. Ownwell can assist homeowners in Storm Lake by providing professional property tax appeal services. By evaluating the assessed value and identifying potential discrepancies, Ownwell helps homeowners reduce their tax liabilities, ensuring they pay only their fair share.

Property Tax Bills Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Source: Ownwell

$409

$1,483

$2,556

Median Storm Lake Tax Bill

$2,518

Median Buena Vista County Tax Bill

$2,124

Median Iowa Tax Bill

$2,508

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
50588	$1,286	$1,835	$2,518	$3,653	$5,421

Source: Ownwell