Washington County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Washington County is 0.80%, which is significantly lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Florida state median of 1.14%. With the median home value in Washington County at $92,402, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $731, well below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Washington County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Washington 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 Chipley or another part of Washington County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Washington County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.8%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$739
$700
Ownwell’s Washington County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Washington County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Washington County 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’s 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 Washington County, Florida
Property taxes in Washington County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Washington County is 0.80%, which is lower than the Florida state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Washington County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Washington 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 Washington County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Florida and the national median. For comparison, the city of Fountain has one of the higher property tax rates in Florida at 1.22%, while the city of Cottondale boasts one of the lowest at 0.68%. Analyzing how Washington County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Washington County Tax Rate
0.80%
Average Florida Tax Rate
1.14%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Washington County, Florida
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alford | 0.58% | 0.69% | 1.06% | 1.32% | 1.35% |
| Bonifay | 0.27% | 0.45% | 0.69% | 1.26% | 1.33% |
| Caryville | 0.25% | 0.45% | 0.81% | 1.28% | 1.36% |
| Chipley | 0.36% | 0.51% | 0.79% | 1.28% | 1.46% |
| Cottondale | 0.29% | 0.48% | 0.68% | 1.28% | 1.33% |
| Ebro | 0.24% | 0.42% | 0.85% | 1.24% | 1.31% |
| Fountain | 0.29% | 0.54% | 1.22% | 1.31% | 1.38% |
| Vernon | 0.34% | 0.51% | 0.97% | 1.32% | 1.56% |
| Wausau | 0.17% | 0.39% | 1.11% | 1.23% | 1.30% |
| Youngstown | 0.28% | 0.42% | 0.69% | 1.25% | 1.31% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Florida
In Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. For instance, Fountain has the highest median tax bill at $884, while Wausau has the lowest at $386. Understanding these differences can provide valuable insights for homeowners.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Florida
Source: Ownwell
$62,285
$81,685
$101,085
Average Washington County Assessed Value
$92,402
Average Florida Assessed Value
$276,648
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Florida
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alford | $24,878 | $29,762 | $78,408 | $172,511 | $208,297 |
| Bonifay | $27,100 | $45,476 | $78,474 | $121,314 | $168,907 |
| Caryville | $23,579 | $40,788 | $69,740 | $111,392 | $155,607 |
| Chipley | $37,504 | $63,469 | $101,085 | $155,074 | $216,466 |
| Cottondale | $29,040 | $45,404 | $70,053 | $115,484 | $176,910 |
| Ebro | $27,276 | $40,788 | $70,922 | $110,154 | $147,561 |
| Fountain | $45,117 | $62,385 | $99,102 | $138,560 | $152,672 |
| Vernon | $24,069 | $41,870 | $70,660 | $112,708 | $166,743 |
| Wausau | $19,087 | $38,254 | $62,285 | $80,955 | $101,690 |
| Youngstown | $34,616 | $50,738 | $83,671 | $127,074 | $174,632 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Florida
In Washington County, FL, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. The assessed value is a percentage of the market value of the property. Homeowners in this county experience a range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $401 and the 75th percentile at $1,310. The highest median tax bill in the county is $884 in Fountain, while the lowest is $386 in Wausau. These tax bills are influenced by several factors, including the property's assessed value, local tax rates, and any applicable exemptions. For homeowners, understanding these factors is crucial as they directly impact the annual financial obligation. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Washington County offers a varied landscape of property tax bills, affecting how much homeowners need to budget for their annual taxes.
Average Washington County Tax Bill
$731
Average Florida Tax Bill
$2,953
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Florida
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alford | $336 | $430 | $719 | $1,133 | $1,574 |
| Bonifay | $171 | $289 | $508 | $946 | $1,650 |
| Caryville | $145 | $306 | $501 | $899 | $1,427 |
| Chipley | $243 | $439 | $829 | $1,429 | $2,159 |
| Cottondale | $171 | $320 | $524 | $905 | $2,029 |
| Ebro | $139 | $350 | $549 | $808 | $1,159 |
| Fountain | $157 | $491 | $884 | $1,296 | $1,994 |
| Vernon | $183 | $349 | $565 | $1,026 | $1,602 |
| Wausau | $102 | $181 | $386 | $735 | $976 |
| Youngstown | $161 | $388 | $586 | $1,062 | $1,626 |
Source: Ownwell