Cherokee County, IA Property Tax: $1,561/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Cherokee County is 1.08% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $145,100, that works out to about $1,567 per year, or $131 per month. Cherokee County is located in northwestern Iowa, and is home to approximately 11,587 residents.
About Cherokee County
Cherokee County covers approximately 576.9 square miles in Iowa. The county is home to about 11,587 residents living in roughly 5,555 housing units, of which 67.1% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $64,478, and the median home was built in 1956.
Cherokee County borders Buena Vista County, Clay County, Ida County, O'Brien County, Plymouth 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 Cherokee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Cherokee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County, IA | 1.08% | $145,100 | $1,567 |
| Iowa state average | 1.34% | — | $1,944* |
| Buena Vista County | 1.24% | $146,900 | $1,822 |
| Clay County | 1.18% | $171,500 | $2,028 |
| Ida County | 1.06% | $108,800 | $1,158 |
| O'Brien County | 0.99% | $158,900 | $1,572 |
| Plymouth County | 1.08% | $218,600 | $2,363 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Cherokee County's median home value of $145,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cherokee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Iowa?
At 1.08%, Cherokee County is lower than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. On a home at the county median of $145,100, that means about $1,567 per year — versus $1,944 at the state average rate, a difference of $377 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Cherokee County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Cherokee County?
For a home at the county median value of $145,100, the annual property tax in Cherokee County is approximately $1,567 — or about $131 per month. For a home worth $217,650, expect around $2,351 per year. For a $290,200 home, approximately $3,134 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Cherokee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Cherokee County are handled by the Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 1.08% shown here. Contact the Cherokee 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