Winnebago County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Winnebago County, Iowa
Median Winnebago County effective property tax rate: 1.54%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Winnebago County home value: $125,260
Median annual Winnebago County tax bill: $1,930, $470 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Winnebago County calculated?
Property taxes in Winnebago 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 Winnebago or another part of Winnebago County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Winnebago County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.54%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,929
$1,790
How Does the Winnebago County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Winnebago County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Winnebago County's median effective tax rate of 1.54% 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 or improvement districts that apply to your property. Winnebago County's median effective tax rate is higher than the Iowa median tax rate of 1.55%, and the county's median property tax bill of $1,930 is lower than 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 Winnebago County.
Property Tax Rates Across Winnebago County, Iowa
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Winnebago County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Winnebago 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 Winnebago County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Iowa or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Winnebago County's median effective rate stands at 1.54%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Winnebago County, the highest rate is found in Forest City at 1.66%, while Rake has the lowest at 1.15%.
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 WinnebagoCounty Tax Rate
1.54%
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 IowaTax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Winnebago County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Center | 1.08% | 1.25% | 1.53% | 1.72% | 1.81% |
| Forest City | 1.23% | 1.47% | 1.66% | 1.77% | 1.84% |
| Joice | 1.17% | 1.21% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.34% |
| Lake Mills | 1.20% | 1.34% | 1.52% | 1.66% | 1.69% |
| Leland | 1.12% | 1.23% | 1.35% | 1.47% | 1.61% |
| Rake | 0.39% | 0.88% | 1.15% | 1.39% | 1.54% |
| Scarville | 0.60% | 1.01% | 1.16% | 1.34% | 1.59% |
| Thompson | 0.92% | 1.19% | 1.40% | 1.63% | 1.81% |
| Woden | 1.01% | 1.18% | 1.33% | 1.45% | 1.55% |
| Britt | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fertile | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hanlontown | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Titonka | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Winnebago County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Winnebago 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 Winnebago 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 Winnebago 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. For example, the median tax bill in Winnebago County is $1,930, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Joice posting the highest median home price at $240,476.
Median Winnebago County Market Value
$125,260
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Winnebago County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Center | $26,863 | $62,892 | $107,215 | $162,256 | $236,413 |
| Forest City | $67,553 | $100,040 | $139,905 | $202,848 | $275,961 |
| Joice | $149,462 | $187,120 | $240,476 | $268,814 | $291,511 |
| Lake Mills | $64,554 | $93,180 | $137,060 | $206,320 | $298,068 |
| Leland | $32,272 | $67,352 | $115,666 | $189,788 | $263,019 |
| Rake | $6,628 | $25,908 | $45,435 | $74,450 | $137,007 |
| Scarville | $25,254 | $55,630 | $101,191 | $154,590 | $234,252 |
| Thompson | $25,858 | $46,820 | $75,600 | $125,964 | $201,726 |
| Woden | $79,423 | $113,941 | $157,524 | $255,966 | $318,393 |
| Britt | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fertile | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hanlontown | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Titonka | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Winnebago County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Winnebago County are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate applied to that value. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which can raise or lower the final bill. Local taxing authorities also factor in school, county, city, and other public service levies, so two homes with similar market values can still have different tax bills depending on where they are located.
For homeowners, this means the property tax bill is not just tied to the home itself, but also to the community services funded by those taxes. In Winnebago County, the median home price is $125,260, and the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,178 while the 75th percentile tax bill is $2,864. The 90th percentile reaches $3,963, showing how quickly taxes can rise for higher-valued or differently assessed properties. Tax bills also vary by city, with Joice at a $2,994 median tax bill and Rake at $514.
Median Winnebago County Tax Bill
$1,930
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Winnebago County, Iowa
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Center | $414 | $892 | $1,560 | $2,418 | $3,431 |
| Forest City | $1,096 | $1,646 | $2,259 | $3,214 | $4,205 |
| Joice | $1,710 | $2,271 | $2,994 | $3,596 | $3,822 |
| Lake Mills | $944 | $1,446 | $2,118 | $2,986 | $4,293 |
| Leland | $430 | $998 | $1,588 | $2,540 | $3,488 |
| Rake | $43 | $250 | $514 | $958 | $1,692 |
| Scarville | $121 | $536 | $1,120 | $1,954 | $3,274 |
| Thompson | $304 | $577 | $1,032 | $1,689 | $2,709 |
| Woden | $752 | $1,349 | $2,278 | $3,372 | $4,773 |
| Britt | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fertile | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Hanlontown | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Titonka | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Winnebago Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |