Douglas County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Douglas County is 0.64%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Colorado state median of 0.55%. With a median home value of $496,355, the typical annual property tax bill in Douglas County reaches $3,328, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes here 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 Douglas 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 Castle Rock or another part of Douglas County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Douglas County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.55%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,100
Ownwell’s Douglas County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Douglas County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Douglas 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 Douglas County, Colorado
Property taxes in Douglas County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Douglas County is 0.64%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Douglas County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Douglas 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 Aurora has one of the higher property tax rates in Colorado at 0.90%, while the city of Sedalia boasts one of the lowest at 0.57%. Analyzing how Douglas County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Douglas County Tax Rate
0.64%
Average Colorado Tax Rate
0.55%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Douglas County, Colorado
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Castle Pines | 0.57% | 0.67% | 0.67% | 0.67% | 1.14% |
| Castle Rock | 0.46% | 0.52% | 0.71% | 0.81% | 1.10% |
| Conifer | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.57% |
| Elbert | 0.58% | 0.59% | 0.66% | 0.78% | 1.03% |
| Elizabeth | 0.59% | 0.60% | 0.62% | 0.78% | 0.88% |
| Englewood | 0.56% | 0.71% | 0.71% | 0.71% | 0.71% |
| Franktown | 0.49% | 0.55% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.90% |
| Highlands Ranch | 0.54% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.64% |
| Larkspur | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.69% | 0.69% |
| Littleton | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.73% | 1.19% | 4.54% |
| Lone Tree | 0.54% | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.87% | 0.93% |
| Louviers | 0.53% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% |
| Palmer Lake | 0.51% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.63% |
| Parker | 0.56% | 0.60% | 0.64% | 0.90% | 0.96% |
| Sedalia | 0.48% | 0.53% | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.65% |
| Woodland Park | 0.51% | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.69% | 0.69% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Douglas County, Colorado
In Douglas 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 Douglas 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. Aurora has the highest median tax bill at $5,159, while Woodland Park has the lowest at $2,067.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Douglas County, Colorado
Source: Ownwell
$328,961
$525,417
$721,873
Average Douglas County Assessed Value
$496,355
Average Colorado Assessed Value
$405,540
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Douglas County, Colorado
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | $124,417 | $514,191 | $576,863 | $640,600 | $700,652 |
| Castle Pines | $414,774 | $525,842 | $606,779 | $713,596 | $872,586 |
| Castle Rock | $284,459 | $376,641 | $459,506 | $565,540 | $804,027 |
| Conifer | $398,484 | $398,484 | $398,484 | $398,484 | $398,484 |
| Elbert | $286,809 | $419,135 | $599,252 | $870,307 | $1,111,232 |
| Elizabeth | $32,776 | $63,134 | $352,352 | $695,527 | $823,011 |
| Englewood | $259,461 | $296,144 | $328,961 | $403,428 | $565,839 |
| Franktown | $361,288 | $536,903 | $694,118 | $843,848 | $1,085,113 |
| Highlands Ranch | $389,571 | $436,097 | $506,728 | $610,422 | $728,769 |
| Larkspur | $319,021 | $497,274 | $641,112 | $787,874 | $959,796 |
| Littleton | $62,308 | $375,000 | $496,678 | $646,530 | $871,508 |
| Lone Tree | $396,448 | $453,021 | $578,567 | $822,206 | $1,162,515 |
| Louviers | $314,786 | $342,509 | $413,198 | $490,718 | $580,471 |
| Palmer Lake | $312,705 | $417,176 | $470,131 | $588,670 | $663,669 |
| Parker | $291,592 | $398,882 | $485,578 | $571,522 | $712,007 |
| Sedalia | $203,139 | $412,180 | $655,435 | $808,731 | $1,187,288 |
| Woodland Park | $28,750 | $103,045 | $344,372 | $457,006 | $558,604 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Douglas County, Colorado
In Douglas County, CO, 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. For instance, if a home has a market value of $496,355, the assessed value will be a fraction of that amount. The local tax rate is then applied to the assessed value to determine the annual property tax bill. Several factors influence the tax bill, including changes in market value, local tax rates, and any applicable exemptions or appeals. Homeowners in Douglas County experience varying tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $2,595 and the 75th percentile at $4,445. The highest median tax bill in the county is found in Aurora at $5,159, while the lowest is in Woodland Park at $2,067. These property taxes directly impact homeowners by contributing to local services such as schools, infrastructure, and emergency services.
Average Douglas County Tax Bill
$3,328
Average Colorado Tax Bill
$2,283
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Douglas County, Colorado
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | $2,836 | $4,583 | $5,159 | $5,724 | $6,264 |
| Castle Pines | $2,826 | $3,532 | $4,175 | $5,586 | $7,567 |
| Castle Rock | $1,608 | $2,343 | $3,263 | $4,327 | $5,911 |
| Conifer | $2,283 | $2,283 | $2,283 | $2,283 | $2,283 |
| Elbert | $2,025 | $2,853 | $3,902 | $6,067 | $7,968 |
| Elizabeth | $1,377 | $2,316 | $3,881 | $4,583 | $5,003 |
| Englewood | $1,789 | $1,995 | $2,163 | $2,480 | $4,007 |
| Franktown | $2,352 | $3,122 | $3,968 | $5,087 | $7,203 |
| Highlands Ranch | $2,361 | $2,712 | $3,153 | $3,825 | $4,623 |
| Larkspur | $2,102 | $3,126 | $4,120 | $5,139 | $6,318 |
| Littleton | $2,358 | $2,753 | $3,589 | $5,552 | $7,640 |
| Lone Tree | $2,428 | $2,961 | $3,906 | $5,853 | $9,434 |
| Louviers | $1,781 | $2,279 | $2,746 | $3,342 | $4,131 |
| Palmer Lake | $1,958 | $2,580 | $2,667 | $3,142 | $3,665 |
| Parker | $1,997 | $2,488 | $3,224 | $4,611 | $5,815 |
| Sedalia | $1,066 | $2,285 | $3,573 | $4,584 | $6,982 |
| Woodland Park | $199 | $876 | $2,067 | $2,748 | $3,266 |
Source: Ownwell