Stillwater County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Stillwater County is 0.69%, 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 $299,005 in Stillwater County, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $2,154, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Stillwater County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Stillwater 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 Columbus or another part of Stillwater County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Stillwater 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 Stillwater Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Stillwater with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Stillwater 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 Stillwater County, Montana
Property taxes in Stillwater County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Stillwater County is 0.69%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Stillwater County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Stillwater 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. For comparison, the city of Lewistown has one of the higher property tax rates in Montana at 0.83%, while the city of Fishtail boasts one of the lowest at 0.55%. Analyzing how Stillwater County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Stillwater County Tax Rate
0.69%
Average Montana Tax Rate
0.83%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Stillwater County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absarokee | 0.56% | 0.58% | 0.64% | 0.88% | 1.11% |
| Broadview | 0.58% | 0.61% | 0.63% | 0.67% | 0.91% |
| Columbus | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.70% | 0.76% | 0.78% |
| Fishtail | 0.49% | 0.53% | 0.55% | 0.59% | 0.66% |
| Laurel | 0.70% | 0.71% | 0.71% | 0.72% | 0.73% |
| Lewistown | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% |
| Molt | 0.46% | 0.50% | 0.55% | 0.65% | 0.73% |
| Nye | 0.52% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.59% | 0.62% |
| Park City | 0.66% | 0.70% | 0.72% | 0.78% | 0.83% |
| Rapelje | 0.56% | 0.60% | 0.66% | 0.73% | 0.87% |
| Reed Point | 0.59% | 0.69% | 0.73% | 0.79% | 0.93% |
| Roscoe | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stillwater County, Montana
In Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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 Stillwater 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. In Stillwater County, the city with the highest median tax bill is Laurel at $3,173, while Lewistown has the lowest median tax bill at $383. Being aware of these valuation processes in Stillwater 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 Stillwater County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$46,452
$260,876
$475,300
Average Stillwater County Assessed Value
$299,005
Average Montana Assessed Value
$317,400
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stillwater County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absarokee | $76,598 | $190,386 | $288,050 | $420,700 | $573,100 |
| Broadview | $28,940 | $208,392 | $312,280 | $366,035 | $533,893 |
| Columbus | $77,226 | $207,705 | $312,100 | $443,576 | $588,499 |
| Fishtail | $112,115 | $229,611 | $334,762 | $483,245 | $735,077 |
| Laurel | $369,900 | $394,500 | $456,000 | $560,263 | $653,362 |
| Lewistown | $46,452 | $46,452 | $46,452 | $46,452 | $46,452 |
| Molt | $6,179 | $101,680 | $240,400 | $396,814 | $555,149 |
| Nye | $146,588 | $257,573 | $372,900 | $509,800 | $692,380 |
| Park City | $47,733 | $165,100 | $278,820 | $411,200 | $512,640 |
| Rapelje | $17,775 | $75,575 | $198,050 | $299,078 | $446,904 |
| Reed Point | $23,425 | $88,757 | $232,738 | $387,844 | $605,700 |
| Roscoe | $475,300 | $475,300 | $475,300 | $475,300 | $475,300 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Stillwater County, Montana
In Stillwater County, MT, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the property's market value, which is determined by the local assessor's office. Key factors influencing the tax bill include the property's location, size, and any improvements made to it. Homeowners in Stillwater County experience a range of property tax bills. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill stands at $1,426, while those in the 75th percentile pay around $2,906. At the higher end, the 90th percentile tax bill reaches $3,778. These figures illustrate the variability in tax obligations depending on property characteristics and market conditions. The highest median tax bill in the county is $3,173 in Laurel, contrasting sharply with the lowest median tax bill of $383 in Lewistown. Overall, the property tax rate in Stillwater County affects homeowners differently, depending on their property's assessed value and location within the county.
Average Stillwater County Tax Bill
$2,154
Average Montana Tax Bill
$2,646
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Stillwater County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absarokee | $1,028 | $1,658 | $2,324 | $2,790 | $3,644 |
| Broadview | $1,066 | $1,440 | $1,932 | $2,870 | $3,342 |
| Columbus | $636 | $1,503 | $2,227 | $3,042 | $3,928 |
| Fishtail | $789 | $1,365 | $1,945 | $2,631 | $3,900 |
| Laurel | $2,660 | $2,822 | $3,173 | $3,941 | $4,709 |
| Lewistown | $383 | $383 | $383 | $383 | $383 |
| Molt | $27 | $785 | $1,569 | $2,277 | $3,686 |
| Nye | $906 | $1,464 | $2,124 | $2,844 | $3,929 |
| Park City | $392 | $1,338 | $2,132 | $2,938 | $3,605 |
| Rapelje | $244 | $818 | $1,430 | $2,110 | $2,908 |
| Reed Point | $267 | $748 | $1,853 | $2,888 | $4,260 |
| Roscoe | $2,763 | $2,763 | $2,763 | $2,763 | $2,763 |
Source: Ownwell