Sierra County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Sierra County is 1.26%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the California state median of 1.21%. With the median home value in Sierra County, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $2,378, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Sierra County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Sierra 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 Loyalton or another part of Sierra County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Sierra County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.26%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,352
$2,221
Ownwell’s Sierra County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Sierra County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Sierra 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 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 Sierra County, California
Property taxes in Sierra County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Sierra County is 1.26%, which is higher than both the California state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Sierra County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Sierra 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 Forest City has one of the higher property tax rates in California at 2.18%, while the city of Indian Wells boasts one of the lowest at 0.89%. Analyzing how Sierra County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Sierra County Tax Rate
1.26%
Average California Tax Rate
1.21%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | 1.29% | 1.39% | 1.58% | 1.85% | 2.47% |
| Calpine | 1.10% | 1.16% | 1.48% | 1.87% | 2.70% |
| Camptonville | 0.64% | 0.81% | 1.10% | 1.11% | 1.11% |
| Chilcoot | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% |
| Downieville | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.21% | 1.37% | 1.58% |
| Forest City | 1.98% | 2.06% | 2.18% | 2.31% | 2.39% |
| Goodyears Bar | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.24% | 1.48% | 1.69% |
| Indian Wells | 0.57% | 0.69% | 0.89% | 0.97% | 1.01% |
| Loyalton | 1.08% | 1.20% | 1.32% | 1.50% | 1.82% |
| North San Juan | 1.04% | 1.06% | 1.13% | 1.21% | 1.42% |
| Pike | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.12% |
| Reno | 1.02% | 1.02% | 1.02% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| Sattley | 1.28% | 1.43% | 1.51% | 1.82% | 2.35% |
| Sierra Brooks | 1.10% | 1.28% | 1.38% | 1.53% | 1.69% |
| Sierra City | 1.03% | 1.11% | 1.21% | 1.51% | 1.93% |
| Sierraville | 1.07% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.30% | 1.49% |
| Sowest County | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| Truckee | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.94% |
| Verdi | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.02% | 1.05% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
In Sierra 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 Sierra 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 Sierra 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 Sierra County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. In Sierra County, Chilcoot has the highest median tax bill at $12,856, while Forest City has the lowest at $677.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
Source: Ownwell
$31,721
$629,076
$1,226,430
Average Sierra County Assessed Value
$186,631
Average California Assessed Value
$378,421
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | $18,377 | $38,826 | $58,988 | $73,641 | $102,200 |
| Calpine | $74,692 | $133,875 | $231,480 | $350,000 | $480,971 |
| Camptonville | $258,371 | $277,332 | $308,932 | $595,260 | $767,057 |
| Chilcoot | $1,226,430 | $1,226,430 | $1,226,430 | $1,226,430 | $1,226,430 |
| Downieville | $75,747 | $115,000 | $196,853 | $316,842 | $450,000 |
| Forest City | $26,537 | $28,481 | $31,721 | $34,961 | $36,905 |
| Goodyears Bar | $61,415 | $86,226 | $171,512 | $307,449 | $452,915 |
| Indian Wells | $153,858 | $252,292 | $416,347 | $442,716 | $458,537 |
| Loyalton | $47,918 | $94,767 | $165,584 | $252,130 | $356,134 |
| North San Juan | $83,617 | $144,898 | $256,758 | $382,243 | $466,969 |
| Pike | $258,158 | $258,158 | $258,158 | $258,158 | $258,158 |
| Reno | $904,822 | $904,822 | $904,822 | $904,822 | $904,822 |
| Sattley | $38,950 | $64,073 | $262,016 | $462,001 | $490,800 |
| Sierra Brooks | $133,086 | $161,142 | $225,765 | $308,381 | $377,000 |
| Sierra City | $47,860 | $88,390 | $171,267 | $295,608 | $405,482 |
| Sierraville | $86,471 | $141,436 | $278,307 | $502,963 | $711,752 |
| Sowest County | $169,977 | $169,977 | $169,977 | $169,977 | $169,977 |
| Truckee | $495,393 | $495,393 | $495,393 | $495,393 | $495,393 |
| Verdi | $168,549 | $310,508 | $403,795 | $522,240 | $783,141 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sierra County, California
In Sierra County, CA, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the home, which is typically determined by the county assessor. The assessed value is a percentage of the market value and can be influenced by factors such as recent sales prices of comparable properties, improvements made to the property, and overall market conditions. Homeowners in Sierra County can expect a wide range in their property tax bills. For instance, the tax bill at the 25th percentile is $1,428, while those at the 75th and 90th percentiles are $3,694 and $5,103, respectively. The highest median tax bill is found in Chilcoot at $12,856, significantly above the national median property tax rate of 0.99%. Conversely, Forest City has the lowest median tax bill at $677. These variations affect homeowners differently, depending on their property's assessed value and location within the county. Understanding these factors can help homeowners anticipate their tax obligations more accurately.
Average Sierra County Tax Bill
$2,378
Average California Tax Bill
$4,683
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | $541 | $726 | $945 | $1,055 | $1,367 |
| Calpine | $1,895 | $2,405 | $3,264 | $4,318 | $5,599 |
| Camptonville | $1,701 | $2,336 | $3,396 | $6,623 | $8,559 |
| Chilcoot | $12,856 | $12,856 | $12,856 | $12,856 | $12,856 |
| Downieville | $1,156 | $1,553 | $2,326 | $3,413 | $4,962 |
| Forest City | $627 | $646 | $677 | $708 | $726 |
| Goodyears Bar | $1,028 | $1,274 | $2,090 | $3,533 | $4,610 |
| Indian Wells | $1,085 | $2,073 | $3,720 | $4,308 | $4,661 |
| Loyalton | $804 | $1,261 | $2,052 | $3,003 | $4,164 |
| North San Juan | $1,117 | $1,817 | $2,863 | $4,117 | $4,918 |
| Pike | $2,904 | $2,904 | $2,904 | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| Reno | $9,259 | $9,259 | $9,259 | $9,259 | $9,259 |
| Sattley | $775 | $1,034 | $3,221 | $5,882 | $6,995 |
| Sierra Brooks | $2,144 | $2,453 | $3,056 | $3,779 | $4,557 |
| Sierra City | $868 | $1,211 | $1,995 | $3,162 | $4,261 |
| Sierraville | $1,256 | $1,811 | $3,284 | $5,447 | $7,883 |
| Sowest County | $1,963 | $1,963 | $1,963 | $1,963 | $1,963 |
| Truckee | $4,654 | $4,654 | $4,654 | $4,654 | $4,654 |
| Verdi | $1,741 | $3,131 | $4,026 | $5,100 | $7,040 |
Source: Ownwell