Flathead County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Flathead County is 0.75%, which is lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Montana state median of 0.83%. With a median home value of $447,500 in Flathead County, the typical annual property tax bill is $3,622, which is higher than the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Flathead County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Flathead County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Kalispell or another part of Flathead County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Flathead County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.83%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,660
Ownwell’s Flathead Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Flathead with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Flathead to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Flathead County, Montana
Property taxes in Flathead County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Flathead County is 0.75%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Flathead County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Flathead County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year, and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Flathead County's effective property tax rate with other areas in Montana and the national median. For comparison, the city of Kalispell has one of the higher property tax rates in Montana at 0.85%, while the city of Essex boasts one of the lowest at 0.55%. Analyzing how Flathead County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Flathead County Tax Rate
0.75%
Average Montana Tax Rate
0.83%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Columbia Falls | 0.64% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
| Coram | 0.66% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| Essex | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
| Hot Springs | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.68% | 0.69% |
| Hungry Horse | 0.81% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Kalispell | 0.68% | 0.75% | 0.85% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Kila | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.70% |
| Lake Mcdonald | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
| Lakeside | 0.69% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% |
| Marion | 0.62% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% |
| Martin City | 0.79% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| Niarada | 0.64% | 0.65% | 0.65% | 0.65% | 0.65% |
| Olney | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.65% | 0.65% |
| Polebridge | 0.66% | 0.73% | 0.76% | 0.76% | 0.76% |
| Somers | 0.69% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% |
| West Glacier | 0.55% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
| Whitefish | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.69% | 0.69% | 0.72% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
In Flathead County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Flathead County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Flathead County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Flathead County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. In Flathead County, the city with the highest median tax bill is Whitefish at $4,297, while Hungry Horse has the lowest at $1,505.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$167,185
$410,154
$653,122
Average Flathead County Assessed Value
$447,500
Average Montana Assessed Value
$317,400
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | $104,630 | $374,018 | $541,397 | $796,450 | $1,215,860 |
| Columbia Falls | $48,712 | $297,708 | $423,650 | $588,076 | $779,423 |
| Coram | $14,484 | $185,850 | $322,100 | $491,900 | $703,440 |
| Essex | $86,010 | $168,900 | $285,000 | $396,100 | $595,765 |
| Hot Springs | $237,444 | $244,759 | $301,628 | $359,854 | $407,907 |
| Hungry Horse | $10,364 | $34,800 | $167,185 | $308,275 | $449,400 |
| Kalispell | $60,802 | $292,300 | $400,400 | $547,000 | $753,040 |
| Kila | $66,940 | $261,002 | $411,750 | $601,750 | $793,872 |
| Lake Mcdonald | $371,750 | $387,425 | $413,550 | $439,675 | $455,350 |
| Lakeside | $242,732 | $409,200 | $553,100 | $948,250 | $1,538,808 |
| Marion | $38,000 | $262,306 | $455,800 | $629,238 | $1,003,000 |
| Martin City | $12,953 | $133,768 | $293,900 | $482,370 | $816,440 |
| Niarada | $151,467 | $180,818 | $243,280 | $315,892 | $363,511 |
| Olney | $20,436 | $105,118 | $249,100 | $463,300 | $667,551 |
| Polebridge | $164,187 | $218,050 | $315,895 | $480,559 | $670,900 |
| Somers | $217,862 | $345,750 | $527,800 | $830,150 | $1,349,004 |
| West Glacier | $231,812 | $398,150 | $529,520 | $855,565 | $1,098,520 |
| Whitefish | $318,400 | $454,575 | $653,122 | $1,008,525 | $1,866,300 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Flathead County, Montana
In Flathead County, MT, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is determined by the local tax assessor. The assessed value is a percentage of the market value of the home. Factors such as location, property size, and improvements can influence this value. Once the assessed value is established, the local tax rate is applied to calculate the annual tax bill. For homeowners in Flathead County, the median home price is $447,500. The property tax bill can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $2,550 and the 75th percentile at $4,951. Those in the 90th percentile may see tax bills as high as $7,095. The highest median tax bill is found in Whitefish at $4,297, while Hungry Horse has the lowest at $1,505. Understanding these factors helps homeowners anticipate their property tax obligations and manage their finances more effectively. With the national median property tax rate at 0.99%, comparing local rates can also provide insight into how Flathead County's tax burden aligns with national trends.
Average Flathead County Tax Bill
$3,622
Average Montana Tax Bill
$2,646
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | $815 | $2,525 | $3,718 | $5,345 | $8,046 |
| Columbia Falls | $517 | $2,527 | $3,574 | $4,677 | $6,147 |
| Coram | $325 | $1,459 | $2,483 | $3,854 | $5,836 |
| Essex | $622 | $969 | $1,584 | $2,225 | $3,294 |
| Hot Springs | $1,468 | $1,582 | $1,896 | $2,445 | $2,787 |
| Hungry Horse | $128 | $391 | $1,505 | $2,624 | $3,708 |
| Kalispell | $624 | $2,601 | $3,575 | $4,589 | $6,082 |
| Kila | $606 | $1,759 | $2,802 | $4,077 | $5,373 |
| Lake Mcdonald | $2,052 | $2,139 | $2,283 | $2,427 | $2,513 |
| Lakeside | $1,798 | $2,892 | $3,929 | $6,718 | $10,772 |
| Marion | $381 | $1,796 | $3,180 | $4,406 | $6,990 |
| Martin City | $288 | $1,686 | $2,703 | $4,623 | $7,185 |
| Niarada | $1,023 | $1,284 | $1,720 | $2,156 | $2,418 |
| Olney | $126 | $617 | $1,546 | $2,912 | $4,172 |
| Polebridge | $1,197 | $1,612 | $2,371 | $3,492 | $5,180 |
| Somers | $1,522 | $2,442 | $3,735 | $5,823 | $9,381 |
| West Glacier | $1,420 | $2,304 | $3,038 | $4,869 | $6,371 |
| Whitefish | $2,075 | $3,021 | $4,297 | $6,604 | $11,949 |
Source: Ownwell