Story County, IA Property Tax: $3,586/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Story County is 1.47% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $243,600, that works out to about $3,581 per year, or $298 per month. Story County is located in central Iowa, and is home to approximately 98,592 residents.
About Story County
Story County covers approximately 572.5 square miles in Iowa. The county is home to about 98,592 residents living in roughly 41,642 housing units, of which 52.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $69,006, and the median home was built in 1983.
Story County borders Boone County, Hamilton County, Hardin County, Jasper County, Marshall 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 Story County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Story County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story County, IA | 1.47% | $243,600 | $3,581 |
| Iowa state average | 1.34% | — | $3,264* |
| Boone County | 1.43% | $191,200 | $2,741 |
| Hamilton County | 1.37% | $132,300 | $1,807 |
| Hardin County | 1.43% | $113,000 | $1,613 |
| Jasper County | 1.42% | $176,800 | $2,518 |
| Marshall County | 1.51% | $134,100 | $2,030 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Story County's median home value of $243,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Story County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Iowa?
At 1.47%, Story County is higher than the Iowa state average of 1.34%. On a home at the county median of $243,600, that means about $3,581 per year — versus $3,264 at the state average rate, a difference of $317 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Story County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Story County?
For a home at the county median value of $243,600, the annual property tax in Story County is approximately $3,581 — or about $298 per month. For a home worth $365,400, expect around $5,371 per year. For a $487,200 home, approximately $7,162 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Story County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Story County are handled by the Story 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 Story 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 1.47% shown here. Contact the Story 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