Madison County, IA Property Records
Property records in Madison, Iowa provide key details about real estate, including parcel ownership, legal descriptions, assessed values, property tax information, land use, building characteristics, and recorded transfers. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, attorneys, lenders, and researchers who need to verify ownership, review valuation history, check tax obligations, or understand property boundaries and improvements.
Official records are maintained by Madison County offices, including the Assessor for assessment and parcel information and the Recorder for deeds and other recorded documents. Users can begin by visiting the county’s official property records resources through the Madison County government website, where they can find assessment information and guidance on accessing related public records. For certified copies or legal documentation, contacting the appropriate county office directly is recommended.
Madison County, IA Property Records & Statistics
Madison County has a median rent of $907, compared with $739 across Iowa and $840.25 nationally, so renters here pay more than the typical renter in the state and in the country. Renter-occupied housing makes up just 13.42% of occupied homes, well below the state figure of 19.29% and the national figure of 21.81%, which points to a market dominated by owner-occupied housing.
The median home value is $219,400, far above Iowa's $134,900 and the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate of 1.22% is slightly under the state rate of 1.27%, though it is still well above the national rate of 0.74%. Higher home values combined with a state-level tax rate mean the tax bill on a typical home is meaningful for owners in the county.
Household incomes are strong, with a median of $85,625 against $67,426 for Iowa and $65,108 nationally. The unemployment rate is 0.83%, compared with 1.88% in the state and 2.87% nationwide.
Overall, the figures describe a higher-cost, higher-income county with very low unemployment, expensive homes, and a small rental market relative to the state and the nation.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Madison
Madison County property records span tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 18,333 total parcels, including 7,505 residential and 589 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 94.55% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 13,042 deeds and 10,678 mortgages, and 5,254 properties have valuation data, last updated August 19, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 18,333 |
| Residential Parcels | 7,505 |
| Commercial Parcels | 589 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 94.55% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 13,042 |
| Mortgage Records | 10,678 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 5,254 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 248 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a mortgage from one lender or loan holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was paid off and the lien removed from the property.
Madison County has 16,118 assignment and release records, made up of 2,110 assignment documents and 13,980 release documents, plus 28 other documents. Assignments were recorded from January 4, 2010, through July 29, 2025, and releases from January 4, 2010, through July 31, 2025.
For property research, these records help confirm whether earlier mortgages were satisfied, trace a loan as it moved between lenders, and spot liens that may still be open before a purchase, sale, or refinance. The date range also lets researchers focus on a specific period in a property's history.
How to Search Madison County, IA Property Records
Madison County's recorded real estate documents are maintained by the Recorder's Office in Winterset, while assessment, valuation, and foreclosure data cover the county's 18,333 parcels. Records can include deeds, mortgages, assignments and releases, parcel details, and foreclosure filings.
Start with the Iowa Land Records portal, the official records search listed for Madison County, to look up recorded documents by name, date, or document type. The Madison County Recorder's Office website explains recording services, fees, and forms, and is the best place to confirm what each record type includes.
The Recorder's Office is at 201 W Court Ave, Winterset, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can call 515-462-3771 with questions about a specific document.
Before you search, gather the owner name, property address, or approximate recording date. Enter the most complete details you have, review the results, and open the document that matches. If an older record does not appear online, contact the office directly.
Madison Registrar of Deeds
The Madison County Probate Office is located at 201 W Court Ave, Winterset, IA, 50273 and can be reached at 515-462-3771. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through iowalandrecords.org or the official website madisoncounty.iowa.gov.
Madison County Recorder’s Office
Madison County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Madison County property records by address?
Start with the Iowa Land Records portal to search recorded documents tied to a property, which often include the address or legal description. For assessment details by address, call the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771 and ask how to locate the parcel. The office is at 201 W Court Ave, Winterset, and open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
How can I find property owners in Madison County?
Owner names appear on recorded deeds, which you can search through Iowa Land Records. Enter a last name and review deeds and mortgages for the property in question. The county holds 13,042 deed records, so a name search is usually productive. For help interpreting results, contact the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Madison County?
Madison County's records reflect the 2024 assessment year, and valuation data is available for 5,254 properties, last updated August 19, 2025. To confirm the assessed value of a specific parcel, call the Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771 and ask which local assessor office handles the property. Recorded deeds can also show recent sale prices.
Where can I find Madison County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payment records are handled by the county's tax collection office rather than the Recorder. Call the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771, at 201 W Court Ave in Winterset, and staff can point you to the correct office for bills and payment history. Have the parcel number or property address ready.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Madison County?
Deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases are recorded by the Madison County Recorder's Office. You can search them online through Iowa Land Records, or visit 201 W Court Ave, Winterset, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. The county has 13,042 deed records and 10,678 mortgage records available for research.
Where can I access Madison County parcel maps and GIS information?
For parcel maps and GIS information, call the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771 and ask which county office maintains the parcel mapping tools. The county has 18,333 parcels. Maps are useful for reference, but they are not a legal survey, so confirm boundaries against recorded documents.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Madison County?
Permit and zoning rules for unincorporated areas are set at the county level, while properties inside a city follow that city's rules. Call the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771 for guidance on which office to contact, and check with the local city hall if the property is in a town such as Winterset.
How can I create a list of property owners in Madison County?
The county's tools are built for property-by-property lookups. To assemble owners for several properties, search deeds through Iowa Land Records and note the grantee names. For a larger or bulk request, call the Madison County Recorder's Office at 515-462-3771 to ask what records can be provided and any applicable fees.