Polk County property tax
Iowa (IA) · Midwest region · Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)
The median property tax in Polk County, Iowa is $4,364 per year on a median home value of $248,400 — an effective property-tax rate of 1.76% (+62.7% versus the US average of 1.08%), well above the US average effective rate. That is about 5.35% of the county's median household income of $81,621. Polk County ranks #3 of 99 counties in Iowa and #186 of 3,133 nationally by effective rate (1 = highest).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates. Data as of June 2026.
Polk County property tax at a glance
| Figure | Polk County, IA |
|---|---|
| Median property tax (per year) | $4,364 |
| Median home value | $248,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.76% |
| Versus US average rate | +62.7% (US avg 1.08%) |
| Median household income | $81,621 |
| Property tax as % of income | 5.35% |
| Population | 497,441 |
| Rank in Iowa (1 = highest rate of 99) | #3 |
| National rank by rate (of 3,133) | #186 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 5-year estimates. Data as of June 2026.
How Polk County compares
The counties with the closest effective property-tax rate to Polk County:
| County | Median tax/yr | Effective rate | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County, IA (this county) | $4,364 | 1.76% | +62.7% |
| Cumberland County, IL | $2,068 | 1.76% | +62.7% |
| Dillingham Census Area, AK | $2,875 | 1.75% | +62.5% |
| Piatt County, IL | $3,040 | 1.75% | +62.5% |
| Orange County, VT | $4,399 | 1.75% | +62.3% |
| Jersey County, IL | $2,957 | 1.75% | +62.2% |
Other large counties in Iowa: Linn County (1.66%), Scott County (1.52%). See the Iowa property-tax page for the full county table.
Frequently asked questions
How much is property tax in Polk County, Iowa?
The median property-tax bill in Polk County, Iowa is $4,364 per year on a median home value of $248,400, an effective rate of 1.76% (Census ACS 2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)). That is +62.7% versus the US average effective rate of 1.08%. Your own bill depends on your assessed value and local rate.
What is the effective property-tax rate in Polk County?
Polk County's effective property-tax rate is 1.76% of home value, calculated as the median tax ($4,364) divided by the median home value ($248,400). That ranks #3 of 99 counties in Iowa and #186 of 3,133 nationally (1 = highest).
Is property tax high in Polk County?
Polk County is high on property tax at 1.76% effective rate, well above the US average effective rate. Property tax there is about 5.35% of the median household income of $81,621. These are ACS area medians; verify your situation with the county assessor.
How is the Polk County property-tax figure calculated?
It uses Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates: median real estate taxes paid (table B25103) and median home value (B25077) for owner-occupied homes in Polk County. The effective rate is the first divided by the second. It is an area median, not an official mill rate, and not your individual assessment.
Keep exploring
- Iowa property tax — state overview & county table (state effective rate 1.48%)
- Highest property-tax counties · Lowest property-tax counties
- Property-tax estimator · All counties
Source & accuracy
Figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2019-2023 (ACS 2023 5-year)), US public domain: median real estate taxes paid (B25103) and median home value (B25077) for owner-occupied homes. The effective rate is the ratio of the two. These are area medians, not your individual bill — your tax depends on your home's assessed value, exemptions and your local rate. Verify with the Polk County assessor or tax collector. Data as of June 2026. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20