Sierra County, California Property Taxes
Median Sierra County effective property tax rate: 1.26%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Sierra County home value: $186,631
Median annual Sierra County tax bill: $2,378, $22 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Sierra County calculated?
Property taxes in Sierra County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Downieville or another part of Sierra County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Sierra County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.26%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,352
$2,182
Property Tax Rates Across Sierra County, California
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This variance is due to each county's annual budget estimation process. Counties determine their required budget to provide essential services, then divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation yields the property tax rate. While votes and laws influence tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
Compare Sierra County's effective property tax rate to other counties in California or the U.S. median property tax rate. Sierra County has a median property tax rate of 1.26%, which is above the national median of 1.02%. Within California, Alleghany boasts the highest median property tax rate at 1.58%, while Verdi offers the lowest at 1.01%. This comparison highlights the diversity in property tax rates across different regions, emphasizing the importance of understanding local tax obligations. By staying informed, property owners can make more strategic decisions regarding property tax appeals and exemptions.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Sierra County Tax Rate
1.26%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
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% |
| Downieville | 1.03% | 1.12% | 1.21% | 1.37% | 1.58% |
| Goodyears Bar | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.24% | 1.48% | 1.69% |
| Loyalton | 1.08% | 1.20% | 1.32% | 1.50% | 1.82% |
| North San Juan | 1.04% | 1.06% | 1.13% | 1.21% | 1.42% |
| 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% |
| Verdi | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.02% | 1.05% |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
When examining property taxes in Sierra County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Sierra County Assessor's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices: In Sierra County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Sierra County.
For example, the median tax bill in Sierra County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Verdi has the highest median home price at $403,795.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
Source: Ownwell
$58,988
$168,648
$278,307
Median Sierra County Market Value
$186,631
Median California Market Value
$378,421
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
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 |
| Downieville | $75,747 | $115,000 | $196,853 | $316,842 | $450,000 |
| Goodyears Bar | $61,415 | $86,226 | $171,512 | $307,449 | $452,915 |
| Loyalton | $47,918 | $94,767 | $165,584 | $252,130 | $356,134 |
| North San Juan | $83,617 | $144,898 | $256,758 | $382,243 | $466,969 |
| 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 |
| Verdi | $168,549 | $310,508 | $403,795 | $522,240 | $783,141 |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sierra County, California
Median Sierra County Tax Bill
$2,378
Median California Tax Bill
$4,683
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
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 |
| Downieville | $1,156 | $1,553 | $2,326 | $3,413 | $4,962 |
| Goodyears Bar | $1,028 | $1,274 | $2,090 | $3,533 | $4,610 |
| Loyalton | $804 | $1,261 | $2,052 | $3,003 | $4,164 |
| North San Juan | $1,117 | $1,817 | $2,863 | $4,117 | $4,918 |
| 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 |
| Verdi | $1,741 | $3,131 | $4,026 | $5,100 | $7,040 |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell