Cowlitz County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Cowlitz County is 0.89%, which is slightly lower than the national median of 0.99% but marginally higher than the Washington state median of 0.88%. With a median home value of $335,640 in Cowlitz County, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $3,062, which is above the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Cowlitz County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which usually falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Cowlitz 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 Longview or another part of Cowlitz County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Cowlitz County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.89%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,987
$2,918
Ownwell’s Cowlitz Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Cowlitz with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County, Washington
Property taxes in Cowlitz County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Cowlitz County is 0.89%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Cowlitz County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County's effective property tax rate with other regions and the national median. For comparison, the city of Kelso has one of the higher property tax rates in the region at 1.01%, while the city of Castle Rock boasts one of the lowest at 0.81%. Analyzing how Cowlitz County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Cowlitz County Tax Rate
0.89%
Average Washington Tax Rate
0.88%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Cowlitz County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amboy | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Ariel | 0.97% | 0.98% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 1.00% |
| Carrolls | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.01% |
| Castle Rock | 0.80% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 0.83% | 0.89% |
| Cougar | 0.98% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.01% |
| Kalama | 0.85% | 0.86% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.89% |
| Kelso | 0.82% | 0.99% | 1.01% | 1.23% | 1.36% |
| Longview | 0.84% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.94% | 1.00% |
| Ryderwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Silverlake | 0.88% | 0.89% | 0.96% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
| Toutle | 0.74% | 0.88% | 0.89% | 0.90% | 0.94% |
| Woodland | 0.89% | 0.94% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 1.11% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cowlitz County, Washington
In Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz 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. For instance, Amboy has the highest median tax bill at $4,103, while Carrolls has the lowest at $2,222. Being aware of these valuation processes in Cowlitz County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cowlitz County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$221,480
$328,360
$435,240
Average Cowlitz County Assessed Value
$335,640
Average Washington Assessed Value
$482,000
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cowlitz County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amboy | $235,196 | $331,838 | $428,435 | $524,410 | $619,599 |
| Ariel | $143,060 | $239,925 | $384,355 | $515,585 | $630,840 |
| Carrolls | $66,713 | $174,102 | $221,480 | $272,610 | $363,927 |
| Castle Rock | $108,359 | $256,220 | $362,900 | $477,478 | $597,876 |
| Cougar | $61,290 | $162,790 | $264,170 | $365,260 | $482,208 |
| Kalama | $127,272 | $311,740 | $435,240 | $577,920 | $711,948 |
| Kelso | $111,648 | $211,265 | $298,865 | $392,120 | $522,751 |
| Longview | $180,076 | $254,925 | $323,695 | $404,340 | $510,481 |
| Ryderwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Silverlake | $128,048 | $250,285 | $380,710 | $472,810 | $578,994 |
| Toutle | $67,371 | $216,895 | $329,490 | $456,278 | $580,886 |
| Woodland | $177,960 | $325,615 | $405,560 | $561,425 | $756,100 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cowlitz County, Washington
In Cowlitz County, WA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. For homeowners in Cowlitz County, the median home price is $335,640, and the property tax rate is used to calculate the final bill. The tax bill can vary significantly within the county; for instance, the 25th percentile of tax bills is approximately $2,100, while the 75th percentile reaches up to $4,135, and the 90th percentile can be as high as $5,372. The city of Amboy has the highest median tax bill at $4,103, whereas Carrolls boasts the lowest median tax bill at $2,222. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, homeowners in Cowlitz County may experience varying financial impacts based on their home's assessed value and the specific tax rate applied in their locality. This variation can significantly affect homeowners' annual expenses and budgeting.
Average Cowlitz County Tax Bill
$3,062
Average Washington Tax Bill
$4,284
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Cowlitz County, Washington
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amboy | $2,198 | $2,982 | $4,103 | $5,199 | $6,137 |
| Ariel | $707 | $2,108 | $3,718 | $5,035 | $6,211 |
| Carrolls | $665 | $1,745 | $2,222 | $2,730 | $3,635 |
| Castle Rock | $485 | $1,849 | $2,926 | $3,975 | $4,999 |
| Cougar | $238 | $1,277 | $2,452 | $3,485 | $4,753 |
| Kalama | $735 | $2,426 | $3,715 | $4,978 | $6,223 |
| Kelso | $644 | $2,087 | $3,138 | $4,327 | $5,437 |
| Longview | $711 | $2,095 | $2,834 | $3,647 | $4,687 |
| Ryderwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Silverlake | $820 | $2,268 | $3,497 | $4,323 | $5,286 |
| Toutle | $437 | $1,355 | $2,806 | $4,025 | $5,103 |
| Woodland | $1,006 | $3,158 | $3,977 | $5,333 | $7,127 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | February 10 |
| Due Date #1 | April 30 |
| Due Date #2 | October 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cowlitz Tax Assessor | |
| Website | cowlitzinfo.net |