Washington County taxes are similar to its neighbors

    Washington County taxpayers may wonder how their tax rates compare to other counties in the state of Iowa. According to data from the Iowa State Association of Counties, Washington County has the 24th highest tax rate out of 99 counties in the state for non-rural residents. The property tax rate in Washington County is roughly $7.66 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for non-rural residents. The state average is about $1 lower at $6.70, while the median amount is $6.56, meaning that half the counties charge more than $6.56 and the other half charge less.

    The county taxes its rural residents at below average levels for the state. Washington County has the 23rd lowest tax rate in the state for rural residents. Rural residents in the county pay a special rural-tax of $2.85, which is about 50 cents lower than the state average of $3.36. The median amount in the state is higher still at $3.48. The special tax levied on rural residents is in addition to the $7.66 that everyone in the county pays.

    Neighboring Henry County, which contains Mt. Pleasant, taxes its urban residents an identical $7.66 (after rounding), but taxes its rural residents 80 cents more than Washington at $3.65. Jefferson County, which houses Fairfield, charges lower rates to its city dwellers at $7.05 and also lower rates to its country folk at $2.48.  

For more, see our April 8 print edition.