Des Moines County, IA Property Taxes (2026)

Des Moines County owners pay a median of $2,097 a year on a median home value of $137,000, an effective rate of 1.53%. That's the 15th-highest rate of 99 Iowa counties with Census data, above the Iowa county median of 1.34%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

1.53%

15th highest of 99 in IA

Median annual bill

$2,097

~$175/month

Median home value

$137,000

Iowa county median

1.34%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Des Moines County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Des Moines County's 1.53% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$2,096
Savings at 10–15% off
$210–$314
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Des Moines County vs. Iowa vs. U.S. property tax rates

Des Moines County1.53%
Iowa county median1.34%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Des Moines County's effective property tax rate is 1.53%, vs. 1.34% for the median Iowa county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 15th of 99 in Iowa. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Des Moines County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Des Moines County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Des Moines County deadline is April 25 – May 5. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $2,097 bill, 10–15% off is $210–$315 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in Iowa

Iowa homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Des Moines County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Des Moines County, Iowa?
The median effective property tax rate in Des Moines County is 1.53%: a median annual bill of $2,097 on a median home value of $137,000. That's the 15th-highest rate of 99 Iowa counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Des Moines County?
The median Des Moines County property tax bill is $2,097 a year, about $175 a month, compared with a Iowa county median of $1,976.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Des Moines County?
The deadline to appeal in Des Moines County is April 25 – May 5. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Des Moines County a high property tax area?
Des Moines County's 1.53% effective rate is above the Iowa county median of 1.34% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 15th-highest rate of 99 Iowa counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Des Moines County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Henry County

Rate: 1.61%

Median bill: $2,394

Louisa County

Rate: 1.27%

Median bill: $1,752

Lee County

Rate: 1.50%

Median bill: $1,855

Muscatine County

Rate: 1.55%

Median bill: $2,667

Washington County

Rate: 1.35%

Median bill: $2,688

Jefferson County

Rate: 1.49%

Median bill: $2,397

Van Buren County

Rate: 1.20%

Median bill: $1,427

Johnson County

Rate: 1.56%

Median bill: $4,587

← All 99 Iowa counties

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