Polk, Dallas counties see increase in residential valuations
Kathy A. Bolten Apr 15, 2025 | 11:26 am
2 min read time
407 wordsAll Latest News, Government Policy and Law, Housing, Real Estate and DevelopmentThe valuation of residential property grew by an average of 9.9% in Polk County and 4.5% in Dallas County in this year’s reassessment of property values, officials with the counties said.
The increases are substantially less than what occurred in 2023 when homeowners in Polk County saw their properties’ value increase an average of 21.9% and those in Dallas County experienced average increases of 14%.
The number of homes sold in the Greater Des Moines area in 2025 (13,293) was similar to the number sold in 2024 (13,246), according to the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors. But even with a stagnant home-selling market, prices are appreciating, said Bryon Tack, Polk County’s deputy chief assessor.
“It still appears that there’s more demand than there is supply for those single-family homes,” Tack said. “That’s why we’re still seeing appreciation in our market.”
The median sale price of a home in the Des Moines area in 2025 was $299,900, a 1.7%, or $4,900, increase from 2024, when the median sales price was $295,000, data compiled by the real estate association shows.
In Iowa, the valuations of all properties are reviewed every odd-numbered year. Property reassessment notices recently began arriving in property owners’ mailboxes. The new valuations are used to determine the property tax bill for payments due in September 2026 and March 2027.
Past coverage: The Business Record last week wrote about revaluations of commercial and multifamily properties in Polk and Dallas counties. To check out our commercial coverage, click here; to learn about multifamily revaluations, click here.
2025 residential revaluations in Polk, Dallas counties
The valuation of residential properties in Polk County rose an average of 9.9% during this year’s reassessment period; in Dallas County, values rose an average of 4.5%, officials from the counties said. In Van Meter, residential properties saw an average increase in value of 13.42%, the highest percentage jump among the two counties. To find out more, check out the Business Record’s interactive map and database that includes information about 2025’s total residential revaluations by city and township and the average increase from 2024 values. (Revaluations occurred in 2023 and were put in place in 2024.)
To view the spreadsheet, click here.
Want to file a protest?
Protests over property tax valuations can be filed through April 30. For information on how to file a protest in Polk County, click here. For information on how to file a protest in Dallas County, click here.
Kathy A. Bolten
Kathy A. Bolten is a senior staff writer at Business Record. She covers real estate and development, workforce development, education, banking and finance, and housing.