Dubuque County, IA Property Records
Property records in Dubuque, Iowa provide important details about real estate within the city and surrounding Dubuque County. These records may include ownership information, parcel numbers, legal descriptions, assessed values, property classifications, transfer history, tax details, building characteristics, plats, deeds, and other land-related documents. They are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, title professionals, researchers, and anyone verifying property boundaries, valuation, ownership, or tax obligations.
Users can access official Dubuque property information through county government offices, including the Assessor for valuation and parcel data, the Recorder for deeds and land records, and the Treasurer for property tax information. A good starting point is the Dubuque County government’s official property records page, which directs users to authoritative assessment and parcel resources.
Dubuque County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Dubuque County has a median rent of $914, compared with $739 across Iowa and $840.25 nationally. Renters here pay more each month than the typical renter in the state and somewhat more than the national median. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 13.46% of occupied homes, well below the state share of 19.29% and the national share of 21.81%, so most households in the county own the homes they live in.
The median home value is $233,100, far above Iowa's $134,900 and the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate is 1.23%, a little under the state rate of 1.27% but much higher than the national rate of 0.74%. On homes of this value, that rate adds up to a substantial annual tax bill for owners.
Median household income is $87,000, compared with $67,426 in Iowa and $65,108 nationally. Higher earnings help explain how the county supports its higher housing costs. The unemployment rate of 1.79% is slightly below the state rate of 1.88% and well below the national rate of 2.87%.
Taken together, the figures describe an owner-oriented market with high property values, strong incomes, low unemployment, and rents above both the state and national medians.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Dubuque
Dubuque County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 53,172 total parcels, including 38,215 residential and 3,499 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 93.86% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 79,918 deeds and 82,250 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 31,751 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 53,172 |
| Residential Parcels | 38,215 |
| Commercial Parcels | 3,499 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.86% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 79,918 |
| Mortgage Records | 82,250 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 31,751 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 2,275 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Dubuque County has 121,959 assignment and release records. They include 11,041 assignment documents recorded from April 8, 2004, through August 22, 2025, and 110,782 release documents recorded from May 8, 2000, through August 29, 2025, along with 136 other documents.
These records help buyers, owners, and researchers see who holds a mortgage on a property, follow a loan as it moved between lenders, and confirm that earlier mortgages were paid off. Checking them before a sale or refinance can reveal liens that may still be open, and the date ranges make it easier to focus on a specific period in a property's history.
How to Search Dubuque County, IA Property Records
Dubuque County property records are recorded and maintained by the Dubuque County Recorder's Office, which holds deeds, mortgages, and related real estate documents for the county's 53,172 parcels. Searchable information includes owner and party names, recorded document types, and recording dates for deeds going back to 1989 and mortgages going back to 2004.
The Dubuque County Recorder's Office page explains the office's services, forms, and contact details. The office is at 720 Central Avenue, Dubuque, and can be reached at 563-589-4434, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
To look up recorded documents online, use the Dubuque County official records search. It opens a name-based search for the county's land records, such as deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases.
Begin by entering a last name or business name, then narrow the results by date range or document type. Open the matching entry to view its recording details. If a document does not appear online, call the Recorder's Office and staff can help you locate it.
Dubuque Registrar of Deeds
The Dubuque County Probate Office is located at 720 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA, 52001 and can be reached at 563-589-4434. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through cotthosting.com or the official website dubuquecountyiowa.gov.
Dubuque County Recorder’s Office
Dubuque County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Dubuque County property records by address?
Recorded land records in Dubuque County are searched by name through the Dubuque County official records search. If you only have an address, look up the owner's name first, then search for the deed. The Recorder's Office at 563-589-4434 can also help you trace a property to its recorded documents.
How can I find property owners in Dubuque County?
Owners appear on recorded deeds, which you can find in the Dubuque County official records search. Search by a known name or business and review deed records, which the county has from January 4, 1989 to August 29, 2025. The Recorder's Office can assist in person at 720 Central Avenue.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Dubuque County?
Assessed values are set through the county's assessment process, and the county's tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year. The Recorder's Office does not set values, but staff at 563-589-4434 can direct you to the assessor for a specific parcel. Contact the assessor for questions about a particular valuation.
Where can I find Dubuque County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payments are handled by the county treasurer rather than the Recorder. Call the Recorder's Office at 563-589-4434 and staff can point you to the right office. You can also visit the Dubuque County website to find county department contacts for tax payment questions.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Dubuque County?
Deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases are recorded by the Dubuque County Recorder. Search them online with the official records search, which covers 79,918 deeds and 82,250 mortgages. You can also visit 720 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Dubuque County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are kept separately from recorded documents. For parcel boundaries across the county's 53,172 parcels, call the Recorder's Office at 563-589-4434 and ask which county department maintains the mapping layers. The Dubuque County Recorder page is a good starting point for county contacts.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Dubuque County?
Building permits and zoning are handled by planning or zoning staff, not the Recorder. For property inside a city, contact that city's office, and for rural land ask county officials. The Recorder's Office at 563-589-4434 can direct you, and the county website lists department contacts.
How can I create a list of property owners in Dubuque County?
The records search is designed for individual lookups, so building a list means searching name by name or requesting records in bulk. Start with the Dubuque County official records search, and call the Recorder's Office at 563-589-4434 to ask what bulk options are available.