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.

Fairfax, 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%–3.25%+44.9%YoY

Varies by school district

Municipal Portioni

0.0000%0% of total

Effective Ratei

1.13%–1.51%

Est. Annual Taxi

$3K–$4K

Median Home Valuei

$274,500

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

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF INCREMENT

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 4 TIF BASE

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/UR # 3 TIF BASE

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF BASE

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCHOOL/AMEND # 1 UR TIF

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF INCR

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX AMEND TIF BA

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF BASE

$1.14 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 4 TIF B

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF BASE

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF INCR

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF BASE

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF INCREMENT

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCHOOL/AMEND # 1 UR T

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX AMEND TIF

$0.96 FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH

$0.86 FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/EXEMPT NC16-01

Estimated Tax by Home Valuei

$150K

$1,219–$1,624

$200K

$1,625–$2,165

$250K

$2,032–$2,707

$300K

$2,438–$3,248

$350K

$2,845–$3,789

$400K

$3,251–$4,331

$450K

$3,657–$4,872

Highlighted value is closest to median home value ($275K)

18 Overlapping Taxing Districtsi

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF INCREMENT

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 4 TIF BASE

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/UR # 3 TIF BASE

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF BASE

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCHOOL/AMEND # 1 UR TIF

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF INCR

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX AMEND TIF BA

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF BASE

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH

114.2%3.2484%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 4 TIF B

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF BASE

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF INCR

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/#5 TIF BASE

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX # 6 TIF INCREMENT

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCHOOL/AMEND # 1 UR T

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH/FAIRFAX AMEND TIF

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY AG/COLLEGE SCH

96.3%2.7388%

FAIRFAX CITY/COLLEGE SCH/EXEMPT NC16-01

85.8%2.4384%