Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Urbandale, Iowa
Median Urbandale, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.71%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median Urbandale, Iowa home value: $279,400
Median annual Urbandale, Iowa tax bill: $4,670, $2,270 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk calculated?
Property taxes in Urbandale, Iowa 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 Urbandale's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Urbandale, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Urbandale, 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
$4,778
$4,434
How Does the Urbandale Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Urbandale property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Urbandale's median effective tax rate of 1.71% — based on actual property records in Polk County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Urbandale's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Urbandale: rates range from $4,448.00 in 50322 to $6,702.00 in 50323, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Urbandale.
About Urbandale Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Urbandale, Polk, Iowa
Urbandale’s median effective property tax rate of 1.71% is higher than the Iowa state median of 1.55% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Polk County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Urbandale. Homeowners in the 50323 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.75%, while those in 50322 pay 1.69%. This spread — 0.06 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Polk County. Understanding which part of Urbandale you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Urbandale homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the April 30, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services 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 Urbandale's effective property tax rate to other cities in Iowa and the median property tax rates in Iowa and the U.S.
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 Urbandale 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 Polk County Tax Rate
1.71%
Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50322 | 1.49% | 1.57% | 1.69% | 1.75% | 1.81% |
| 50323 | 1.50% | 1.69% | 1.75% | 1.77% | 1.81% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Urbandale, 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 Polk 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.
Assessment notices:
In Polk County, assessment notices are sent in March 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. For example, the median home price in Urbandale is $279,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 50323 has the highest median home price at $393,900.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$2,050
$223,775
$445,500
Median Urbandale Market Value
$279,400
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 Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50322 | $164,880 | $217,800 | $265,400 | $327,900 | $387,640 |
| 50323 | $283,220 | $330,900 | $393,900 | $499,250 | $689,240 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Urbandale are based on the assessed value of a home, not the market value alone, and the final bill reflects local tax rates set by taxing authorities in Polk County. For a home with a median price of $279,400, the tax bill can vary widely depending on the neighborhood and the specific taxing districts that apply.
What homeowners pay is shaped by the home’s assessed value, exemptions, and the combined rates used by schools, city services, and county government. In Urbandale, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,806, while the 75th percentile is $5,827, showing how much bills can differ from one property to another.
The lowest median tax bill is $4,448 in ZIP code 50322, while the highest median tax bill is $6,702 in ZIP code 50323. Higher assessed values and higher local rates generally lead to larger bills, which can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs for homeowners.
Median Urbandale Tax Bill
$4,670
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$3,950
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50322 | $2,706 | $3,656 | $4,448 | $5,407 | $6,460 |
| 50323 | $4,884 | $5,660 | $6,702 | $8,582 | $11,775 |
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 |