Mahaska County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Mahaska County, Iowa
Median Mahaska County effective property tax rate: 1.49%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Mahaska County home value: $127,090
Median annual Mahaska County tax bill: $1,838, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Mahaska County calculated?
Property taxes in Mahaska 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 Mahaska County or another part of Mahaska County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Mahaska County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.49%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,894
$1,757
How Does the Mahaska County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Mahaska County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Mahaska County's median effective tax rate of 1.49% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used 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. Mahaska County's median effective tax rate is higher than Iowa's 1.55% state median tax rate, and the county's median tax bill of $1,838 is $562 lower than the state median tax bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Mahaska County.
Property Tax Rates Across Mahaska County, Iowa
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Mahaska County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Mahaska 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 Mahaska County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Mahaska County's median effective rate stands at 1.49%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Mahaska County, the highest rate is found in Oskaloosa at 1.62%, while Tracy has the lowest at 1.09%.
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 ÷ 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 Mahaska County Tax Rate
1.49%
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 Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | 1.06% | 1.15% | 1.30% | 1.56% | 1.56% |
| Beacon | 1.01% | 1.21% | 1.31% | 1.43% | 1.44% |
| Bussey | 1.00% | 1.06% | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.33% |
| Cedar | 0.98% | 1.07% | 1.12% | 1.17% | 1.44% |
| Eddyville | 1.05% | 1.15% | 1.36% | 1.62% | 1.72% |
| Fremont | 1.09% | 1.21% | 1.32% | 1.45% | 1.45% |
| Leighton | 1.18% | 1.24% | 1.31% | 1.47% | 1.62% |
| Lynnville | 1.14% | 1.18% | 1.43% | 1.54% | 1.66% |
| New Sharon | 1.13% | 1.20% | 1.41% | 1.59% | 1.66% |
| Oskaloosa | 1.18% | 1.29% | 1.62% | 1.78% | 1.79% |
| Pella | 1.20% | 1.25% | 1.29% | 1.34% | 1.51% |
| Rose Hill | 1.03% | 1.19% | 1.29% | 1.52% | 1.62% |
| Taintor | 0.96% | 1.09% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.22% |
| Tracy | 0.92% | 1.03% | 1.09% | 1.13% | 1.25% |
| University Park | 1.07% | 1.17% | 1.24% | 1.33% | 1.33% |
| What Cheer | 1.11% | 1.18% | 1.30% | 1.42% | 1.53% |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Montezuma | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Mahaska County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Mahaska 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 Mahaska 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 are sent in April each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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. The median tax bill in Mahaska County is $1,838, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Property tax bills range significantly across the county, with Pella posting the highest median tax bill at $3,220 and Taintor the lowest at $522. Pella also has the highest median home price at $236,950, while the county median home price is $127,090.
Median Mahaska County Market Value
$127,090
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | $10,023 | $31,545 | $71,095 | $123,660 | $196,542 |
| Beacon | $13,030 | $42,225 | $84,515 | $122,892 | $161,420 |
| Bussey | $79,720 | $104,155 | $164,000 | $200,875 | $302,282 |
| Cedar | $54,470 | $93,128 | $159,375 | $257,892 | $349,855 |
| Eddyville | $23,952 | $55,655 | $112,650 | $177,375 | $247,028 |
| Fremont | $35,453 | $69,085 | $103,770 | $157,610 | $230,415 |
| Leighton | $28,220 | $91,170 | $169,060 | $262,568 | $368,076 |
| Lynnville | $138,888 | $165,382 | $207,165 | $263,450 | $429,959 |
| New Sharon | $44,810 | $88,898 | $140,385 | $214,535 | $306,560 |
| Oskaloosa | $42,686 | $74,928 | $124,835 | $206,878 | $314,080 |
| Pella | $107,765 | $161,128 | $236,950 | $362,650 | $493,785 |
| Rose Hill | $10,590 | $33,990 | $108,530 | $196,075 | $276,156 |
| Taintor | $5,938 | $17,798 | $45,520 | $57,108 | $117,096 |
| Tracy | $33,400 | $67,010 | $138,370 | $214,660 | $265,515 |
| University Park | $40,067 | $69,700 | $108,630 | $150,272 | $187,728 |
| What Cheer | $91,434 | $121,825 | $165,815 | $234,015 | $390,143 |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Montezuma | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Mahaska County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Mahaska County are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rates applied to that value. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which affects the final bill homeowners receive. Local taxing districts, such as schools and other public services, also play a role in determining how much is owed.
With a median home price of $127,090, property taxes can vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,090, while the 75th percentile is $2,984, showing how differences in home value and location can lead to very different bills. At the high end, the 90th percentile reaches $4,420. In Pella, the highest median tax bill is $3,220, compared with $522 in Taintor. For homeowners, these differences can have a meaningful impact on monthly budgets and long-term housing costs.
Median Mahaska County Tax Bill
$1,838
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Mahaska County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes City | $139 | $404 | $852 | $1,644 | $2,371 |
| Beacon | $118 | $500 | $1,023 | $1,527 | $2,201 |
| Bussey | $942 | $1,213 | $1,718 | $2,289 | $3,363 |
| Cedar | $552 | $932 | $2,019 | $3,330 | $4,058 |
| Eddyville | $332 | $808 | $1,549 | $2,404 | $3,618 |
| Fremont | $388 | $866 | $1,352 | $2,060 | $2,850 |
| Leighton | $379 | $1,334 | $2,312 | $3,446 | $4,730 |
| Lynnville | $1,987 | $2,232 | $2,550 | $3,528 | $6,034 |
| New Sharon | $610 | $1,222 | $1,950 | $2,937 | $4,247 |
| Oskaloosa | $662 | $1,162 | $1,897 | $3,096 | $4,547 |
| Pella | $1,293 | $2,212 | $3,220 | $4,736 | $6,314 |
| Rose Hill | $163 | $446 | $1,514 | $2,701 | $3,645 |
| Taintor | $70 | $212 | $522 | $627 | $1,281 |
| Tracy | $393 | $701 | $1,706 | $2,276 | $2,868 |
| University Park | $478 | $811 | $1,238 | $1,854 | $2,377 |
| What Cheer | $819 | $1,570 | $2,234 | $3,078 | $4,939 |
| Delta | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Gibson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lacey | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Montezuma | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ottumwa | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Mahaska Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |