Lee County, IA Property Records
Property records in Lee, Iowa document important information about real estate, including parcel ownership, legal descriptions, assessed values, property tax details, transfers, deeds, mortgages, plats, and other recorded instruments. These records are useful for verifying ownership, researching a property’s history, reviewing tax assessments, preparing for a purchase or sale, and supporting title or legal due diligence.
Users can access official Lee property information through county offices such as the Lee County Assessor for parcel and valuation records, the Recorder for deeds and other recorded documents, and the Treasurer for tax payment information. A good starting point is the official Lee County Assessor page, which provides access to local assessment resources and guidance for finding property-related records.
Lee County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Lee County has a median rent of $776, above Iowa's $739 but below the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing accounts for only 13.02% of occupied homes, well under the state figure of 19.29% and the national 21.81%, so the large majority of households own their homes.
The median home value is $160,550, higher than Iowa's $134,900 and just under the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate of 1.18% is below the state rate of 1.27% but above the national 0.74%. Homes are priced above the state typical level, with a tax rate that is slightly lighter than elsewhere in Iowa.
The median household income is $68,385.50, above both the Iowa median of $67,426 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 1.57% is lower than the state's 1.88% and the national 2.87%.
Together, the figures describe a county with moderate home values, incomes above average, low unemployment, and a housing market dominated by owner-occupied homes.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Lee
Lee County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 28,702 total parcels, including 17,125 residential and 1,614 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 93.95% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 29,876 deeds and 27,307 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 11,948 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 28,702 |
| Residential Parcels | 17,125 |
| Commercial Parcels | 1,614 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.95% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 29,876 |
| Mortgage Records | 27,307 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 11,948 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 58 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what becomes of a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a mortgage from one lender to another, and a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien lifted.
Lee County has 26,093 assignment and release records. They include 3,097 assignment documents recorded from January 4, 2005, to June 24, 2025, and 22,984 release documents recorded from January 3, 2005, to June 30, 2025, along with 12 other documents.
For property research, these records show who holds a loan and whether earlier mortgages were paid off. Buyers, owners, and title researchers can use them to follow a mortgage between lenders and confirm that old liens were released before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Lee County, IA Property Records
Lee County property records are kept by the Lee County Recorder's Office, which records deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents. With assessment data, they cover the county's 28,702 parcels, including ownership, transfers, mortgages, and valuations.
Start with the Lee County Recorder's Office page for office information and services. To search recorded documents, use the Lee County official records search, which lets you look up deeds, mortgages, and other documents.
The office is at 933 Avenue H, Fort Madison, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 319-376-1070 for help finding a record or ordering copies.
Before searching, have the owner's name, the property address, or a legal description ready. Begin with a name search, narrow by date range, and open the deed or mortgage that matches the property to see the parties and recording details. If a record is missing online, contact the office.
Lee Registrar of Deeds
The Lee County Probate Office is located at 933 Avenue H, Fort Madison, IA, 52627 and can be reached at 319-376-1070. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through leecounty.org or the official website leecounty.org.
Lee County Recorder’s Office
Lee County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Lee County property records by address?
Use the Lee County official records search to look up recorded documents. If you only have an address, try the owner's name or call the Lee County Recorder's Office at 319-376-1070 and staff can help locate the matching records.
How can I find property owners in Lee County?
Owners are named on the deeds recorded with the county, which holds 29,876 deed records from January 3, 2006, to June 30, 2025. Search the official records search or visit the office at 933 Avenue H, Fort Madison, for help identifying the owner.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Lee County?
Lee County's assessment records reflect the 2024 assessment year and cover 28,702 parcels, with a latest assessor update of August 25, 2025. For help with a specific assessment, call the Recorder's Office at 319-376-1070 for a referral to the right department.
Where can I find Lee County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payments are handled by the county's tax offices, not the Recorder. Call 319-376-1070 or visit the Lee County Recorder page, and staff can direct you to the department that issues current bills and holds payment history.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Lee County?
Deeds, mortgages, releases, and other instruments are recorded by the Lee County Recorder. Search them through the official records search, or visit 933 Avenue H, Fort Madison, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 319-376-1070.
Where can I access Lee County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps are provided outside the Recorder's Office, but staff can point you to the right department for the county's 28,702 parcels. Call 319-376-1070 or start at the Recorder's Office page. Maps are for reference and are not a legal survey.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Lee County?
Permits and zoning are handled by county and city offices rather than the Recorder. Call the Lee County Recorder's Office at 319-376-1070 for a referral. For property inside a city such as Fort Madison, ask that city about its own rules.
How can I create a list of property owners in Lee County?
The online tools support property-by-property lookups. To build a list, search the official records search by date range and note the deed holders. For bulk or larger requests, call the Recorder's Office at 319-376-1070 to ask what is available.