West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in West Des Moines, Iowa
Median West Des Moines, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.53%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly lower than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median West Des Moines, Iowa home value: $281,600
Median annual West Des Moines, Iowa tax bill: $4,326, $1,926 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Polk calculated?
Property taxes in West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in West Des Moines, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.53%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,308
$3,998
How Does the West Des Moines Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this West Des Moines property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies West Des Moines's median effective tax rate of 1.53% — 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 West Des Moines'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 West Des Moines: rates range from $4,168 in 50265 to $6,087 in 50061, 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 West Des Moines.
About West Des Moines Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in West Des Moines, Polk, Iowa
West Des Moines’s median effective property tax rate of 1.53% is lower 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 West Des Moines. Homeowners in the 50061 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.58%, while those in 50265 pay 1.53%. This spread of 0.05 percentage points across the same city reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Polk County.
West Des Moines homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the 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 West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines'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 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 West Des Moines Tax Rate
1.53%
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 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 West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50061 | 1.45% | 1.55% | 1.58% | 1.59% | 1.66% |
| 50265 | 1.46% | 1.50% | 1.53% | 1.58% | 1.59% |
| 50266 | 1.46% | 1.50% | 1.54% | 1.58% | 1.59% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in West Des Moines, 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. Polk County 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. For West Des Moines, the median home price is $281,600, and the median tax bill is $4,326, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range from $3,234 at the 25th percentile to $5,622 at the 75th percentile, and reach $8,156 at the 90th percentile.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$2,050
$223,775
$445,500
Median West Des Moines Market Value
$281,600
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 West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50061 | $172,466 | $194,850 | $397,885 | $514,825 | $657,370 |
| 50265 | $155,100 | $212,950 | $273,300 | $344,100 | $484,540 |
| 50266 | $126,600 | $198,050 | $311,300 | $418,850 | $576,440 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Property tax bills in West Des Moines are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the city’s tax rates to that assessed value to determine the final bill, and the amount can vary depending on location within Polk County and the specific taxing jurisdictions that apply. For homeowners, this means two homes with similar market values can still have very different tax bills.
The median home price is $281,600, while the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,234, the 75th percentile tax bill is $5,622, and the 90th percentile tax bill is $8,156. That range shows how property tax bills can rise quickly for higher-valued homes or properties in areas with higher effective rates. The highest median tax bill is $6,087 in ZIP code 50061, while the lowest median tax bill is $4,168 in ZIP code 50265. For many homeowners, property taxes are a major recurring housing cost and can affect monthly budgets and long-term affordability.
Median West Des Moines Tax Bill
$4,326
Median Polk County Tax Bill
$3,950
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50061 | $2,543 | $2,990 | $6,087 | $8,118 | $10,304 |
| 50265 | $2,351 | $3,223 | $4,168 | $5,274 | $7,512 |
| 50266 | $2,012 | $3,354 | $4,890 | $6,616 | $9,124 |
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 |