Ames, Story County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Ames, Iowa
Median Ames, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.42%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median Ames, Iowa home value: $223,800
Median annual Ames, Iowa tax bill: $3,070, $670 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Story calculated?
Property taxes in Ames, 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 Ames's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Ames, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Ames, Story County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.42%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,178
$2,949
How Does the Ames Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Ames property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Ames's median effective tax rate of 1.42% — based on actual property records in Story 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 Ames'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 Ames: rates range from $2,890.00 in 50014 to $3,194.00 in 50010, 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 Ames.
About Ames Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Ames, Story, Iowa
Ames’s median effective property tax rate of 1.42% is lower than the Iowa state median of 1.55% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Story 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 Ames. Homeowners in the 50010 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.42%, while those in 50014 pay 1.42%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Story County. Understanding which part of Ames you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Ames 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 Ames, Story 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 Ames'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 Ames Tax Rate
1.42%
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 Story County Tax Rate
1.42%
Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50010 | 1.28% | 1.35% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.51% |
| 50014 | 1.24% | 1.36% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% |
| 50011 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Ames, 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 Story 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 Story 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 Ames.
For example, the median home price in Ames is $223,800, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 50010 has the highest median home price at $234,600.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$153,400
$216,900
$280,400
Median Ames Market Value
$223,800
Median Story County Market Value
$220,900
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50010 | $104,300 | $158,200 | $234,600 | $335,050 | $452,820 |
| 50014 | $85,600 | $119,000 | $209,700 | $350,300 | $474,800 |
| 50011 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Ames are calculated by applying local tax rates to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. That means the amount a homeowner owes depends on how the property is valued and the tax rates set by local governments.
With a median home price of $223,800, property taxes can vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,844, while the 75th percentile is $4,678 and the 90th percentile reaches $6,416. The median tax bill is $3,194 in ZIP code 50010 and $2,890 in ZIP code 50014.
These differences show how location and assessed value can affect what homeowners pay each year. For many homeowners, a higher assessed value can lead to a larger tax bill, even if the home has not been sold.
Median Ames Tax Bill
$3,070
Median Story County Tax Bill
$3,111
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Ames, Story County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50010 | $1,476 | $2,198 | $3,194 | $4,644 | $6,342 |
| 50014 | $1,188 | $1,630 | $2,890 | $4,730 | $6,456 |
| 50011 | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Story Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |