Adair County, IA Property Tax: $1,858/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Adair County is 1.32% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $140,600, that works out to about $1,856 per year, or $155 per month. Adair County is located in southern Iowa, and is home to approximately 7,471 residents.
About Adair County
Adair County covers approximately 569.3 square miles in Iowa. The county is home to about 7,471 residents living in roughly 3,595 housing units, of which 66.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $66,176, and the median home was built in 1958.
Adair County borders Adams County, Audubon County, Cass County, Dallas County, Guthrie County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Iowa
Property taxes in Iowa are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Iowa offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Adair County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Adair County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County, IA | 1.32% | $140,600 | $1,856 |
| Iowa state average | 1.34% | — | $1,884* |
| Adams County | 1.27% | $116,900 | $1,479 |
| Audubon County | 1.23% | $110,400 | $1,353 |
| Cass County | 1.43% | $133,300 | $1,904 |
| Dallas County | 1.45% | $333,400 | $4,849 |
| Guthrie County | 1.33% | $163,900 | $2,172 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Adair County's median home value of $140,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Adair County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Iowa?
At 1.32%, Adair County is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. On a home at the county median of $140,600, that means about $1,856 per year — versus $1,884 at the state average rate, a difference of $28 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Adair County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Adair County?
For a home at the county median value of $140,600, the annual property tax in Adair County is approximately $1,856 — or about $155 per month. For a home worth $210,900, expect around $2,784 per year. For a $281,200 home, approximately $3,712 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Adair County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Adair County are handled by the Adair County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Adair County?
Iowa counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.32% shown here. Contact the Adair County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File