Jefferson County, IA Property Taxes (2026)

Jefferson County owners pay a median of $2,397 a year on a median home value of $161,200, an effective rate of 1.49%. That's the 23rd-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

1.49%

23rd highest of 99 in IA

Median annual bill

$2,397

~$200/month

Median home value

$161,200

Iowa county median

1.34%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Jefferson County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Jefferson County's 1.49% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$2,402
Savings at 10–15% off
$240–$360
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Jefferson County vs. Iowa vs. U.S. property tax rates

Jefferson County1.49%
Iowa county median1.34%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Jefferson County's effective property tax rate is 1.49%, vs. 1.34% for the median Iowa county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 23rd 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 Jefferson County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

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

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Jefferson 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 $2,397 bill, 10–15% off is $240–$360 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Iowa?
The median effective property tax rate in Jefferson County is 1.49%: a median annual bill of $2,397 on a median home value of $161,200. That's the 23rd-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 Jefferson County?
The median Jefferson County property tax bill is $2,397 a year, about $200 a month, compared with a Iowa county median of $1,976.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Jefferson County?
The deadline to appeal in Jefferson County is April 25 – May 5. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Jefferson County a high property tax area?
Jefferson County's 1.49% effective rate is above the Iowa county median of 1.34% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 23rd-highest rate of 99 Iowa counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Jefferson County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Van Buren County

Rate: 1.20%

Median bill: $1,427

Henry County

Rate: 1.61%

Median bill: $2,394

Wapello County

Rate: 1.64%

Median bill: $1,854

Keokuk County

Rate: 1.33%

Median bill: $1,491

Washington County

Rate: 1.35%

Median bill: $2,688

Davis County

Rate: 1.52%

Median bill: $2,217

Lee County

Rate: 1.50%

Median bill: $1,855

Louisa County

Rate: 1.27%

Median bill: $1,752

← All 99 Iowa counties

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