Clay County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Clay County, Iowa
Median Clay County effective property tax rate: 1.40%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Clay County home value: $146,435
Median annual Clay County tax bill: $1,978, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Clay County calculated?
Property taxes in Clay County 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 your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Clay County or another part of Clay County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Clay County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.4%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,050
$1,902
How Does the Clay County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Clay County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Clay County's median effective tax rate of 1.40% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessment authority assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Clay County's median effective tax rate is higher than the Iowa state median tax rate of 1.55%, while the county's median property tax bill of $1,978 is $422 lower than the state median bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Clay County.
Property Tax Rates Across Clay County, Iowa
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Clay County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Clay County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Clay County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Clay County's median effective rate stands at 1.40%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Clay County, the highest rate is found in Spencer at 1.45%, while Hartley has the lowest at 0.99%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Clay County Tax Rate
1.40%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | 1.07% | 1.12% | 1.26% | 1.35% | 1.38% |
| Dickens | 0.96% | 1.05% | 1.16% | 1.29% | 1.42% |
| Everly | 0.89% | 0.97% | 1.15% | 1.26% | 1.34% |
| Fostoria | 0.93% | 1.01% | 1.08% | 1.15% | 1.15% |
| Gillett Grove | 0.87% | 1.11% | 1.35% | 1.66% | 1.68% |
| Greenville | 0.74% | 0.90% | 1.02% | 1.10% | 1.15% |
| Hartley | 0.67% | 0.91% | 0.99% | 1.06% | 1.08% |
| Linn Grove | 0.89% | 0.95% | 1.10% | 1.21% | 1.37% |
| Peterson | 0.84% | 1.07% | 1.28% | 1.56% | 1.56% |
| Royal | 0.86% | 0.95% | 1.07% | 1.21% | 1.21% |
| Ruthven | 1.01% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.24% |
| Sioux Rapids | 0.89% | 0.99% | 1.06% | 1.13% | 1.31% |
| Spencer | 1.10% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.55% | 1.55% |
| Terril | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.18% | 1.27% | 1.32% |
| Webb | 0.96% | 1.09% | 1.22% | 1.49% | 1.50% |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Clay County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Clay County, 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 Clay County assessor 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.
Assessment notices:
In Clay County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
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 Clay County.
For example, the median tax bill in Clay County is $1,978, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Ruthven at $2,412 and Gillett Grove at $810. Hartley has the highest median home price at $229,300.
Median Clay County Market Value
$146,435
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | $96,305 | $128,892 | $165,045 | $197,035 | $265,838 |
| Dickens | $23,610 | $61,400 | $126,380 | $200,030 | $259,160 |
| Everly | $38,354 | $67,540 | $107,660 | $175,910 | $259,608 |
| Fostoria | $40,735 | $67,035 | $106,225 | $152,662 | $215,697 |
| Gillett Grove | $5,260 | $18,930 | $48,410 | $123,130 | $185,280 |
| Greenville | $13,640 | $47,080 | $110,580 | $187,150 | $299,294 |
| Hartley | $132,890 | $163,802 | $229,300 | $293,898 | $373,089 |
| Linn Grove | $80,397 | $126,248 | $177,590 | $227,070 | $352,258 |
| Peterson | $11,884 | $40,435 | $76,980 | $132,162 | $232,517 |
| Royal | $23,075 | $47,342 | $85,520 | $138,458 | $239,235 |
| Ruthven | $50,875 | $113,162 | $202,170 | $309,122 | $444,012 |
| Sioux Rapids | $60,840 | $108,290 | $160,530 | $227,960 | $298,790 |
| Spencer | $67,900 | $107,065 | $160,090 | $229,370 | $334,530 |
| Terril | $67,490 | $83,010 | $110,630 | $158,055 | $303,380 |
| Webb | $13,790 | $36,860 | $87,710 | $175,450 | $268,610 |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Clay County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Clay County, Iowa are based on a home’s assessed value, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the amount owed. That means two homes with similar market values can still have different tax bills if their assessments or taxing jurisdictions differ. For a county with a median home price of $146,435, the property tax burden can vary widely depending on location and local levies.
Homeowners in Clay County should expect their bill to reflect more than just the value of the house itself. School funding, county services, and other local taxing authorities all play a role in the final amount. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,182, while the 75th percentile is $2,918 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,376. Median tax bills also vary by city, from $810 in Gillett Grove to $2,412 in Ruthven. For many homeowners, understanding how assessment and local rates interact is key to knowing whether their bill is fair.
Median Clay County Tax Bill
$1,978
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Clay County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayrshire | $1,086 | $1,715 | $2,067 | $2,410 | $3,367 |
| Dickens | $281 | $635 | $1,551 | $2,465 | $3,369 |
| Everly | $423 | $782 | $1,257 | $1,820 | $2,655 |
| Fostoria | $337 | $664 | $1,114 | $1,625 | $2,409 |
| Gillett Grove | $70 | $278 | $810 | $1,430 | $2,530 |
| Greenville | $148 | $414 | $1,110 | $1,954 | $3,034 |
| Hartley | $1,083 | $1,433 | $2,066 | $2,986 | $3,908 |
| Linn Grove | $880 | $1,419 | $1,848 | $2,465 | $3,522 |
| Peterson | $159 | $461 | $1,026 | $1,672 | $2,707 |
| Royal | $208 | $476 | $939 | $1,506 | $2,407 |
| Ruthven | $662 | $1,252 | $2,412 | $3,610 | $5,107 |
| Sioux Rapids | $635 | $1,108 | $1,718 | $2,439 | $3,370 |
| Spencer | $958 | $1,490 | $2,238 | $3,208 | $4,806 |
| Terril | $844 | $981 | $1,208 | $1,856 | $4,018 |
| Webb | $138 | $511 | $1,082 | $2,044 | $2,997 |
| Laurens | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Marathon | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Milford | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sutherland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Clay Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |