How are property tax rates determined in Iowa?

Property tax rates in Iowa are set by each taxing district (municipality, school district, park district, library, etc.) based on their annual levy (the amount of tax revenue they need). The rate is calculated by dividing the levy by the total assessed value of all property in the district.

What is the composite tax rate?

The composite tax rate is the sum of all overlapping taxing district rates that apply to a specific property. A typical property may be taxed by several overlapping districts. The composite rate determines your total tax bill when multiplied by your property's assessed value.

Why do tax rates vary within the same town?

Properties within the same municipality can have different composite rates because overlapping districts (school, park, fire, library) have different boundaries. A home in one school district may have a different rate than a home two blocks away in a different school district.

Van Meter, IA Property Tax Rate 2026 — Full Breakdown by District

Showing latest tax year with year-over-year changes. Full rate history available with a paid plan. See products & pricing →

Property Tax — Tax Year 2025 (payable 2026)i

IA Dept of Management Property Tax

Composite Ratei

2.44%–3.61%+44%YoY

Varies by school district

Municipal Portioni

0.0000%0% of total

Effective Ratei

1.13%–1.67%

Est. Annual Taxi

$3K–$4K

Median Home Valuei

$264,000

Rate varies by school district. Your actual rate depends on which school district your property falls in.

Rate Trend — click a year to explorei

20242025

Municipal

Other Districts

Where Your Tax Dollar Goesi

$1.19 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/BADGER CREEK

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/VAN METER URA 25004/21 & 23 TIF ORD 2021-09 & 2023-12 BASE

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/VAN METER URA 25004/21 & 23 TIF ORD 2021-09 & 2023-12 INCREMENT

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2005 URBAN TIF B

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2004 URBAN TIF B

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF 2002 B

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH

$1.18 VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2006 PCB URBAN T

$0.82 VAN METER CITY AG BADGER CREEK/VAN METER SCH

$0.81 VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF BAS

$0.81 VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/2005 URBAN TI

$0.81 VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH

$0.81 VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/2004 TIF BASE

Estimated Tax by Home Valuei

$150K

$1,221–$1,806

$200K

$1,628–$2,408

$250K

$2,035–$3,011

$300K

$2,442–$3,613

$350K

$2,849–$4,215

$400K

$3,256–$4,817

$450K

$3,664–$5,419

Highlighted value is closest to median home value ($264K)

14 Overlapping Taxing Districtsi

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/BADGER CREEK

119.3%3.6131%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/VAN METER URA 25004/21 & 23 TIF ORD 2021-09 & 2023-12 BASE

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/VAN METER URA 25004/21 & 23 TIF ORD 2021-09 & 2023-12 INCREMENT

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2005 URBAN TIF B

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2004 URBAN TIF B

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF 2002 B

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY/VAN METER SCH/2006 PCB URBAN T

117.7%3.5631%

VAN METER CITY AG BADGER CREEK/VAN METER SCH

82.3%2.4926%

VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/URBAN TIF BAS

80.7%2.4426%

VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/2005 URBAN TI

80.7%2.4426%

VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH

80.7%2.4426%

VAN METER CITY AG/VAN METER SCH/2004 TIF BASE

80.7%2.4426%