Decatur County, IA Property Records
Property records in Decatur, Iowa are official documents that identify and describe real estate within the community, including parcel ownership, legal descriptions, assessed values, property classifications, land and building details, transfer history, and tax-related information. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, review assessment data, estimate property taxes, or understand a parcel’s history and boundaries.
Official Decatur property information is maintained at the county level by Decatur County offices, particularly the Assessor for valuation and parcel data, with related records available through the Recorder and Treasurer as applicable. Users can access official information online or contact the county directly through the Decatur County Assessor’s official property records page for current assessment and parcel resources.
Decatur County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Decatur County is a low-cost housing market. The median rent of $720.50 is below Iowa's $739 and the national $840.25. Renter-occupied housing makes up 19.29% of occupied homes, matching the state figure of 19.29% and falling under the national 21.81%.
The median home value of $93,550 is well below the state's $134,900 and the national $173,750. Property taxes are the main drawback: the median rate of 1.77% is higher than Iowa's 1.27% and far above the national 0.74%, so owners pay a larger share of home value each year.
The median household income of $55,373 is lower than the state's $67,426 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 2.11% is slightly above Iowa's 1.88% but under the national 2.87%.
In short, the county pairs very affordable homes and rents with high tax rates and incomes that trail state and national levels.
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Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
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Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Decatur
Decatur County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 15,492 total parcels, including 4,403 residential and 549 commercial parcels, with 93.25% tax record coverage for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 11,480 deeds and 6,154 mortgages.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 15,492 |
| Residential Parcels | 4,403 |
| Commercial Parcels | 549 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.25% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 11,480 |
| Mortgage Records | 6,154 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 2,541 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 66 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what becomes of a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents a transfer of the loan to another lender or holder, and a release shows that the loan was paid off and the lien removed.
Decatur County has 7,350 assignment and release records. They include 595 assignment documents recorded from January 4, 2005, to July 24, 2025, and 6,738 release documents recorded from January 3, 2005, to July 31, 2025, plus 17 other documents.
These records help buyers, owners, and researchers see who holds a mortgage, confirm earlier loans were released, and find liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Decatur County, IA Property Records
The Decatur County Recorder's Office, 207 N. Main Street in Leon, holds the county's recorded real estate documents and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Its records accompany assessment data on 15,492 parcels, covering ownership, deeds, mortgages, and lien filings.
The Decatur County Recorder's Office page on the county website is the official source for office services and contact details. Staff there can help you trace a property's recorded history.
To search, have a property address, owner name, or document type ready and share the most complete details you have. Check the results against the parcel you are researching and open the matching record. Deed records run from January 3, 2006, to July 31, 2025.
If a record does not turn up, call the Recorder at 641-446-4322 and ask for help.
Decatur Registrar of Deeds
The Decatur County Probate Office is located at 207 N. Main Street, Leon, IA, 50144 and can be reached at 641-446-4322. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website decaturcountyiowa.gov.
Decatur County Recorder’s Office
Decatur County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Decatur County property records by address?
Call the Decatur County Recorder's Office at 641-446-4322 or visit 207 N. Main Street, Leon, with the property address, and staff can help locate related deeds and mortgages. The Recorder's page lists office details.
How can I find property owners in Decatur County?
Owners are shown on recorded deeds, which the Recorder holds from January 3, 2006, to July 31, 2025. Ask staff for the most recent deed on a parcel to see who holds title. Visit the Decatur County Recorder's page or call 641-446-4322.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Decatur County?
Assessments are maintained by the county assessor and the county's data reflects the 2024 assessment year. Call the Recorder's Office at 641-446-4322 to be pointed to the assessor, since the Recorder handles recorded documents rather than valuations.
Where can I find Decatur County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are handled by the county treasurer instead of the Recorder. Call 641-446-4322 and staff can give you the treasurer's contact information in Leon, or use the county website to find departments.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Decatur County?
The Recorder's Office records deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases. Stop by 207 N. Main Street, Leon, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call 641-446-4322. The Recorder's page has more on the office.
Where can I access Decatur County parcel maps and GIS information?
Decatur County has 15,492 parcels. Ask the Recorder's Office at 641-446-4322 which department maintains the current parcel map or GIS viewer, or start at the county website. Maps are for reference and are not legal surveys.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Decatur County?
Permits and zoning are handled by county zoning staff or by the city if a property sits within Leon or another town, not by the Recorder. Call 641-446-4322 for the right contact, and confirm requirements before you build or change a property's use.
How can I create a list of property owners in Decatur County?
Records are searched one property or name at a time, so lists are built by reviewing recorded deeds for each parcel. For larger or bulk requests, call the Decatur County Recorder's Office at 641-446-4322 to ask what is available.