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.

Decorah, IA

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

2.27%–3.95%+32.1%YoY

Varies by school district

Municipal Portioni

0.0000%0% of total

Effective Ratei

1.05%–1.83%

Est. Annual Taxi

$3K–$4K

Median Home Valuei

$244,500

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

$1.27 DECORAH CITY/DECORAH COMM SCH/DOWNTOWN SSMID

$1.25 DECORAH SW UR - DECOBLUFFS TIF BASE

$1.25 DECORAH SW UR - REBOUND HOSPITALITY TIF INCR

$1.25 DECORAH UR - DECORAH AUTO TIF INCR

$1.25 DECORAH SW UR - REBOUND HOSPITALITY TIF

$1.25 DECORAH UR - DECORAH AUTO TIF

$1.25 DECORAH CITY/DECORAH COMM SCH

$1.25 DECORAH CITY - BLUFFSIDE GARDENS TIF INCR

$1.25 DECORAH CITY - BLUFFSIDE GARDENS TIF

$1.25 DECORAH CITY - SKYLINE MOTORSPORTS TIF INCR

$1.25 DECORAH CITY - SKYLINE MOTORSPORTS TIF

$1.25 DECORAH SW UR - DECOBLUFFS TIF INCR

$0.83 DECORAH CITY AG/DECORAH COMM SCH

$0.73 DECORAH CITY ANNEX

Estimated Tax by Home Valuei

$100K

$757–$1,317

$150K

$1,136–$1,976

$200K

$1,514–$2,634

$250K

$1,893–$3,293

$300K

$2,271–$3,952

$350K

$2,650–$4,610

$400K

$3,028–$5,269

Highlighted value is closest to median home value ($245K)

14 Overlapping Taxing Districtsi

DECORAH CITY/DECORAH COMM SCH/DOWNTOWN SSMID

127%3.9521%

DECORAH SW UR - DECOBLUFFS TIF BASE

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH SW UR - REBOUND HOSPITALITY TIF INCR

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH UR - DECORAH AUTO TIF INCR

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH SW UR - REBOUND HOSPITALITY TIF

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH UR - DECORAH AUTO TIF

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY/DECORAH COMM SCH

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY - BLUFFSIDE GARDENS TIF INCR

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY - BLUFFSIDE GARDENS TIF

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY - SKYLINE MOTORSPORTS TIF INCR

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY - SKYLINE MOTORSPORTS TIF

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH SW UR - DECOBLUFFS TIF INCR

125.3%3.8995%

DECORAH CITY AG/DECORAH COMM SCH

82.6%2.5720%

DECORAH CITY ANNEX

73%2.2716%