Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Polk County, Iowa
Median Polk County effective property tax rate: 1.71%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Polk County home value: $232,800
Median annual Polk County tax bill: $3,950, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk County calculated?
Property taxes in Polk 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 Polk County's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Des Moines or another part of Polk County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.71%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,981
$3,694
How Does the Polk County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Polk County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Polk County's median effective tax rate of 1.71% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the appraisal district 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. Polk County’s median property tax rate is higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and higher than the state median tax rate of 1.55%. The median property tax bill is $3,950, which is $1,550 higher than the state median tax bill and above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Polk County.
Property Tax Rates Across Polk County, Iowa
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Polk County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Polk 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 Polk County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Polk County's median effective rate stands at 1.71%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Polk County, the highest rate is found in Des Moines at 1.87%, while Berwick has the lowest at 1.37%.
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 Polk County Tax Rate
1.71%
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 Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | 1.59% | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.72% | 1.77% |
| Altoona | 1.38% | 1.57% | 1.65% | 1.68% | 1.72% |
| Ankeny | 1.51% | 1.61% | 1.65% | 1.70% | 1.71% |
| Berwick | 1.30% | 1.33% | 1.37% | 1.37% | 1.40% |
| Bondurant | 1.40% | 1.54% | 1.72% | 1.74% | 1.79% |
| Cambridge | 1.46% | 1.52% | 1.58% | 1.60% | 1.71% |
| Carlisle | 1.40% | 1.49% | 1.62% | 1.63% | 1.94% |
| Clive | 1.43% | 1.46% | 1.48% | 1.50% | 1.53% |
| Des Moines | 1.49% | 1.78% | 1.87% | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| Granger | 1.34% | 1.36% | 1.58% | 1.95% | 2.01% |
| Grimes | 1.59% | 1.71% | 1.81% | 1.84% | 1.87% |
| Huxley | 1.50% | 1.58% | 1.60% | 1.83% | 2.08% |
| Johnston | 1.54% | 1.59% | 1.63% | 1.65% | 1.68% |
| Madrid | 1.47% | 1.51% | 1.54% | 1.58% | 1.62% |
| Maxwell | 1.37% | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.56% | 1.77% |
| Mingo | 1.47% | 1.48% | 1.51% | 1.53% | 1.54% |
| Mitchellville | 1.38% | 1.45% | 1.54% | 1.60% | 1.65% |
| Pleasant Hill | 1.36% | 1.50% | 1.64% | 1.70% | 1.75% |
| Polk City | 1.46% | 1.71% | 1.79% | 1.82% | 1.86% |
| Runnells | 1.34% | 1.39% | 1.43% | 1.46% | 1.68% |
| Sheldahl | 1.52% | 1.59% | 1.66% | 1.71% | 1.71% |
| Slater | 1.47% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.63% | 1.81% |
| Urbandale | 1.50% | 1.57% | 1.71% | 1.76% | 1.81% |
| West Des Moines | 1.46% | 1.50% | 1.53% | 1.58% | 1.59% |
| Windsor Heights | 1.65% | 1.69% | 1.76% | 1.81% | 1.88% |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elkhart | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Polk County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
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 Polk County.
For example, the median tax bill in Polk County is $3,950, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range significantly across the county, from $2,302 in Carlisle to $6,967 in Granger. Mingo has the highest median home price at $445,500.
Median Polk County Market Value
$232,800
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | $167,200 | $212,700 | $302,600 | $394,750 | $560,860 |
| Altoona | $89,953 | $199,378 | $270,100 | $335,400 | $410,290 |
| Ankeny | $148,200 | $224,000 | $300,500 | $391,800 | $494,500 |
| Berwick | $1,800 | $1,900 | $2,050 | $51,100 | $199,800 |
| Bondurant | $25,839 | $214,925 | $287,550 | $354,625 | $443,770 |
| Cambridge | $189,540 | $271,900 | $422,035 | $509,950 | $587,205 |
| Carlisle | $70,140 | $103,200 | $148,000 | $212,500 | $279,220 |
| Clive | $222,700 | $276,000 | $334,450 | $435,850 | $610,900 |
| Des Moines | $87,200 | $128,500 | $176,400 | $232,300 | $310,400 |
| Granger | $286,840 | $339,000 | $410,500 | $540,800 | $696,960 |
| Grimes | $121,000 | $234,500 | $316,600 | $407,375 | $526,350 |
| Huxley | $122,895 | $224,925 | $271,850 | $359,920 | $528,770 |
| Johnston | $182,200 | $249,300 | $343,900 | $447,500 | $599,900 |
| Madrid | $184,095 | $276,825 | $352,850 | $455,850 | $618,200 |
| Maxwell | $104,720 | $175,100 | $254,400 | $359,070 | $501,240 |
| Mingo | $157,305 | $283,348 | $445,500 | $515,520 | $532,750 |
| Mitchellville | $105,260 | $157,100 | $204,500 | $294,600 | $421,800 |
| Pleasant Hill | $146,800 | $221,900 | $274,600 | $352,400 | $440,180 |
| Polk City | $124,000 | $237,850 | $355,000 | $482,100 | $634,800 |
| Runnells | $151,552 | $241,700 | $342,700 | $473,575 | $588,300 |
| Sheldahl | $85,560 | $133,600 | $171,900 | $245,775 | $334,220 |
| Slater | $165,229 | $196,075 | $259,175 | $382,582 | $456,164 |
| Urbandale | $170,300 | $225,875 | $279,400 | $351,400 | $426,490 |
| West Des Moines | $136,150 | $210,675 | $281,600 | $364,200 | $519,950 |
| Windsor Heights | $158,800 | $205,850 | $254,200 | $296,250 | $340,160 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elkhart | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Polk County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Polk County are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the property’s market value and any applicable exemptions. The assessed value is the starting point for the bill, and local taxing authorities use it to determine how much each homeowner owes. Because tax rates and assessments can vary by location, two homes with similar market values may still have different bills.
For a county with a median home price of $232,800, property taxes can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,736, while the 75th percentile is $5,440 and the 90th percentile reaches $7,294. That range shows how much taxes can differ across neighborhoods and property types. Homeowners in Granger face the highest median tax bill at $6,967, while Carlisle has the lowest median tax bill at $2,302.
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$3,950
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Polk County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleman | $2,639 | $3,466 | $5,116 | $6,566 | $9,021 |
| Altoona | $2,525 | $3,380 | $4,339 | $5,396 | $6,534 |
| Ankeny | $2,736 | $3,790 | $5,012 | $6,486 | $8,129 |
| Berwick | $24 | $26 | $28 | $432 | $2,568 |
| Bondurant | $2,763 | $3,606 | $4,904 | $5,932 | $7,225 |
| Cambridge | $3,395 | $4,136 | $6,603 | $8,302 | $9,426 |
| Carlisle | $974 | $1,560 | $2,302 | $3,474 | $5,232 |
| Clive | $3,247 | $4,056 | $4,930 | $6,463 | $9,122 |
| Des Moines | $1,468 | $2,258 | $3,168 | $4,200 | $5,574 |
| Granger | $3,866 | $5,526 | $6,967 | $8,640 | $10,574 |
| Grimes | $2,590 | $4,238 | $5,640 | $7,266 | $9,199 |
| Huxley | $2,458 | $4,109 | $4,613 | $5,715 | $8,281 |
| Johnston | $3,198 | $4,146 | $5,648 | $7,434 | $9,889 |
| Madrid | $2,842 | $4,248 | $5,272 | $6,478 | $8,659 |
| Maxwell | $1,612 | $2,652 | $3,783 | $5,535 | $7,455 |
| Mingo | $2,143 | $4,117 | $6,664 | $7,905 | $8,411 |
| Mitchellville | $1,773 | $2,429 | $3,192 | $4,511 | $6,296 |
| Pleasant Hill | $2,466 | $3,461 | $4,356 | $5,598 | $6,993 |
| Polk City | $2,962 | $4,372 | $6,216 | $8,184 | $10,686 |
| Runnells | $2,164 | $3,474 | $4,864 | $6,644 | $8,370 |
| Sheldahl | $1,248 | $2,092 | $2,732 | $3,998 | $5,797 |
| Slater | $2,671 | $3,214 | $4,226 | $6,466 | $7,949 |
| Urbandale | $2,806 | $3,806 | $4,670 | $5,827 | $7,173 |
| West Des Moines | $2,250 | $3,234 | $4,326 | $5,622 | $8,156 |
| Windsor Heights | $2,838 | $3,650 | $4,418 | $5,130 | $5,872 |
| Colfax | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cumming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elkhart | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prairie City | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Polk Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.assess.co.polk.ia.us |