Calhoun County, IA Property Tax: $1,506/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Calhoun County is 1.32% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $114,400, that works out to about $1,510 per year, or $126 per month. Calhoun County is located in central Iowa, and is home to approximately 9,858 residents.
About Calhoun County
Calhoun County covers approximately 569.8 square miles in Iowa. The county is home to about 9,858 residents living in roughly 4,794 housing units, of which 65.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $66,875, and the median home was built in 1960.
Calhoun County borders Buena Vista County, Carroll County, Greene County, Pocahontas County, Sac 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 Calhoun County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Calhoun County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County, IA | 1.32% | $114,400 | $1,510 |
| Iowa state average | 1.34% | — | $1,533* |
| Buena Vista County | 1.24% | $146,900 | $1,822 |
| Carroll County | 1.05% | $175,700 | $1,849 |
| Greene County | 1.20% | $140,500 | $1,682 |
| Pocahontas County | 1.14% | $93,300 | $1,066 |
| Sac County | 1.03% | $138,400 | $1,423 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Calhoun County's median home value of $114,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Calhoun County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Iowa?
At 1.32%, Calhoun County is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. On a home at the county median of $114,400, that means about $1,510 per year — versus $1,533 at the state average rate, a difference of $23 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Calhoun County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Calhoun County?
For a home at the county median value of $114,400, the annual property tax in Calhoun County is approximately $1,510 — or about $126 per month. For a home worth $171,600, expect around $2,265 per year. For a $228,800 home, approximately $3,020 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Calhoun County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Calhoun County are handled by the Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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