Decatur County, IA Property Tax: $1,856/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Decatur County is 1.69% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $109,500, that works out to about $1,851 per year, or $154 per month. Decatur County is located in southern Iowa, and is home to approximately 7,669 residents.
About Decatur County
Decatur County covers approximately 531.9 square miles in Iowa. The county is home to about 7,669 residents living in roughly 3,651 housing units, of which 56.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $57,146, and the median home was built in 1968.
Decatur County borders Clarke County, Lucas County, Ringgold County, Union County, Wayne 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 Decatur County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Decatur County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur County, IA | 1.69% | $109,500 | $1,851 |
| Iowa state average | 1.34% | — | $1,467* |
| Clarke County | 1.46% | $160,200 | $2,335 |
| Lucas County | 1.48% | $117,000 | $1,732 |
| Ringgold County | 1.27% | $150,300 | $1,909 |
| Union County | 1.79% | $117,800 | $2,108 |
| Wayne County | 1.35% | $102,300 | $1,377 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Decatur County's median home value of $109,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Decatur County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Iowa?
At 1.69%, Decatur County is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. On a home at the county median of $109,500, that means about $1,851 per year — versus $1,467 at the state average rate, a difference of $384 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Decatur County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Decatur County?
For a home at the county median value of $109,500, the annual property tax in Decatur County is approximately $1,851 — or about $154 per month. For a home worth $164,250, expect around $2,776 per year. For a $219,000 home, approximately $3,701 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Decatur County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Decatur County are handled by the Decatur 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 Decatur 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 1.69% shown here. Contact the Decatur 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