Clayton County, IA Property Records
Property records in Clayton, Iowa are official documents that identify and describe real estate within the community, typically including ownership history, parcel boundaries, legal descriptions, assessed values, property tax information, deeds, transfers, and related filings. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, review tax obligations, confirm property characteristics, or research land history.
Because Clayton is located in Clayton County, official records are maintained through county offices such as the Assessor, Recorder, and Treasurer. Users can access assessment and parcel information, recorded land documents, and tax details through the county’s official resources, including the official Clayton County property records website. For certified copies or legally recorded documents, users should contact the appropriate Clayton County office directly.
Clayton County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Clayton County has a median rent of $756, slightly above the Iowa median of $739 but below the national $840.25. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 21.22% of occupied homes, above the state's 19.29% and just under the national 21.81%, so rentals play a somewhat larger role here than in much of Iowa.
The median home value is $138,300, a little higher than the state's $134,900 and well under the national $173,750. The median property tax rate of 1.44% is above both Iowa's 1.27% and the national 0.74%, which makes taxes a notable ongoing cost for owners.
The median household income of $64,107 is lower than the state's $67,426 and the national $65,108. Employment is a bright spot: the unemployment rate of 1.22% is below Iowa's 1.88% and the national 2.87%.
Overall, Clayton County offers moderately priced homes and low unemployment, balanced by higher property tax rates and incomes that trail the state and nation.
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Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
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Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Clayton
Clayton County property records span assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 30,198 total parcels, including 9,666 residential and 699 commercial parcels, with 82.82% tax record coverage and a 2024 assessment year. Recorders hold 23,025 deeds and 14,241 mortgages.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 30,198 |
| Residential Parcels | 9,666 |
| Commercial Parcels | 699 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 82.82% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 23,025 |
| Mortgage Records | 14,241 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 6,056 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 73 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows the loan moving from one holder to another, and a release shows the debt was satisfied and the lien lifted.
Clayton County has 17,393 assignment and release records. They include 1,312 assignment documents recorded from January 5, 2005, to August 28, 2025, and 16,042 release documents recorded from January 3, 2005, to September 2, 2025, plus 39 other documents.
For property research, these records reveal who currently holds a mortgage, whether past loans were paid off, and how a loan changed hands over time. That makes them useful for buyers, title researchers, and owners checking for open liens before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Clayton County, IA Property Records
The Clayton County Recorder's Office, at 111 High Street NE in Elkader, maintains the county's recorded real estate documents and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Its records sit alongside assessment data for the county's 30,198 parcels, covering ownership, deeds, mortgages, and lien activity.
The Clayton County Recorder's Office page explains the office's services and contact details. The Clayton County forms and applications page provides the paperwork used for recording and related requests, and the Iowa Land Records e-submission page covers electronic recording.
To search, gather the property address, owner name, or document type and start with the most complete details you have. Deed records run from January 6, 2006, to August 26, 2025, so older transfers may require a visit to the office.
For help locating a record, call the Recorder at 563-245-2710.
Clayton Registrar of Deeds
The Clayton County Probate Office is located at 111 High Street NE, Elkader, IA, 52043 and can be reached at 563-245-2710. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website claytoncountyia.gov.
Clayton County Recorder’s Office
Clayton County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Clayton County property records by address?
Contact the Clayton County Recorder's Office at 563-245-2710 or visit 111 High Street NE, Elkader, with the property address and staff can help find related deeds and mortgages. The Recorder's Office page lists services and contact information for record requests.
How can I find property owners in Clayton County?
Owners appear on recorded deeds, which the Recorder's Office holds for transfers from January 6, 2006, to August 26, 2025. Ask for the most recent deed on a parcel to see who holds title. Start at the Clayton County Recorder's Office or call 563-245-2710.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Clayton County?
Assessed values are kept by the county assessor, and the county's data reflects the 2024 assessment year. Call the Recorder's Office at 563-245-2710 to be directed to the assessor, or check recorded deeds for recent sale information. The county website, claytoncountyia.gov, lists departments.
Where can I find Clayton County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are handled by the county treasurer instead of the Recorder. Call the Clayton County Recorder's Office at 563-245-2710 for the correct contact, or stop by the courthouse area in Elkader. Staff can explain how to request a bill or confirm a payment.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Clayton County?
The Clayton County Recorder's Office records deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases. Visit 111 High Street NE, Elkader, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call 563-245-2710. The forms and applications page provides recording paperwork.
Where can I access Clayton County parcel maps and GIS information?
Clayton County has 30,198 parcels. Ask the Recorder's Office at 563-245-2710 which department maintains the current parcel map or GIS viewer, since the county's departments are listed through the county website. Maps serve as reference and are not legal surveys.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Clayton County?
Permits and zoning are handled outside the Recorder's Office, either by county zoning staff or by the city if the property is within town limits. Call 563-245-2710 to be pointed to the right office, and confirm requirements before starting construction or changing a property's use.
How can I create a list of property owners in Clayton County?
Because the county's records are searched property by property, lists are built by pulling recorded deeds for each parcel or name. For bulk or larger requests, call the Clayton County Recorder's Office at 563-245-2710 to learn what is available and any fees.