Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Decorah, Iowa
Median Decorah, Iowa effective property tax rate: 1.39%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Iowa state median of 1.55%.
Median Decorah, Iowa home value: $225,790
Median annual Decorah, Iowa tax bill: $3,196, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Winneshiek calculated?
Property taxes in Decorah, 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 Decorah's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Decorah, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.39%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,138
$2,912
How Does the Decorah Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Decorah property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Decorah's median effective tax rate of 1.39% — based on actual property records in Winneshiek County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Decorah'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 Decorah: rates range from 1.39% in 52101 to 1.39% in 52101, 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 Decorah.
About Decorah Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Decorah, Winneshiek, Iowa
Decorah’s median effective property tax rate of 1.39% is lower than the Iowa state median of 1.55% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Winneshiek 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 Decorah. Homeowners in the 52101 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.39%, while those in the 52101 pay 1.39%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Winneshiek County. Understanding which part of Decorah you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Decorah 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 Decorah, Winneshiek 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 Decorah'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 Decorah Tax Rate
1.39%
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 Winneshiek County Tax Rate
1.33%
Median Effective Iowa Tax Rate
1.55%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52101 | 1.05% | 1.13% | 1.39% | 1.72% | 1.81% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
When examining property taxes in Decorah, 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 Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek 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 home price in Decorah is $225,790, with a median tax bill of $3,196.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
Source: Ownwell
$113,790
$169,790
$225,790
Median Decorah Market Value
$225,790
Median Winneshiek County Market Value
$202,495
Median Iowa Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52101 | $96,600 | $159,540 | $225,790 | $315,280 | $428,658 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
Property tax bills in Decorah are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply tax rates to that assessed value to determine the final bill, so a higher assessment usually means a higher tax bill. For homeowners in Winneshiek County, the median home price is $225,790, and the median property tax bill is $3,196, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Several factors can affect what a homeowner pays, including the home’s assessed value, the tax rate set by local governments, and any exemptions or appeals that may apply. Bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $2,169 and the 75th percentile at $4,430, while the 90th percentile reaches $5,939. That range shows how property taxes can differ even among homes in the same city. For homeowners, this means a tax bill can be a major part of annual housing costs and may rise when assessments increase.
Median Decorah Tax Bill
$3,196
Median Winneshiek County Tax Bill
$2,802
Median Iowa Tax Bill
$2,542
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52101 | $1,202 | $2,169 | $3,196 | $4,430 | $5,939 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Winneshiek Tax Assessor | |
| Website | beacon.schneidercorp.com |