Jefferson County, Illinois Property Taxes
Median Jefferson County effective property tax rate: 2.20%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Jefferson County home value: $61,827
Median annual Jefferson County tax bill: $1,229, $1,171 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Jefferson County calculated?
Property taxes in Jefferson 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 Mount Vernon or another part of Jefferson County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Jefferson County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.2%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,360
$1,262
Property Tax Rates Across Jefferson County, Illinois
Local government entities are responsible for setting property tax rates, leading to significant variations within a state. Each year, counties estimate their budgets necessary to provide essential services and divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. Although votes and laws are involved in setting these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
Jefferson County in Illinois has an effective property tax rate of 2.20%, which is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This places a significant burden on property owners compared to the national average. Within Jefferson County, Mount Vernon has the highest median tax rate at 2.38%, while Waltonville offers some relief with the lowest rate at 1.71%. These figures highlight the disparity in tax rates even within the same county.
Comparing Jefferson County's rate to other counties in Illinois or the national median, it becomes evident that property owners here face a higher tax obligation.
Median Effective Jefferson County Tax Rate
2.20%
Median Effective Illinois Tax Rate
2.35%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Jefferson County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashley | 1.23% | 1.65% | 2.01% | 2.25% | 2.33% |
Belle Rive | 0.79% | 1.48% | 1.85% | 2.32% | 2.32% |
Bluford | 0.67% | 1.57% | 1.99% | 2.30% | 2.30% |
Bonnie | 0.35% | 1.18% | 1.85% | 2.02% | 2.52% |
Centralia | 0.63% | 1.16% | 1.92% | 2.41% | 2.51% |
Dix | 0.74% | 1.46% | 1.87% | 2.23% | 2.31% |
Du Bois | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ewing | 1.08% | 1.35% | 2.22% | 2.44% | 2.53% |
Ina | 0.90% | 1.44% | 2.09% | 2.55% | 2.55% |
Keenes | 1.50% | 1.77% | 2.09% | 2.09% | 3.22% |
Kell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Mount Vernon | 1.16% | 1.80% | 2.38% | 2.96% | 3.22% |
Nason | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Opdyke | 0.79% | 1.52% | 1.96% | 2.28% | 2.33% |
Richview | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Scheller | 0.58% | 1.38% | 1.79% | 2.01% | 2.05% |
Sesser | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Texico | 0.73% | 1.70% | 2.07% | 2.55% | 2.55% |
Walnut Hill | 1.08% | 1.43% | 1.95% | 2.25% | 2.51% |
Waltonville | 0.64% | 1.24% | 1.71% | 1.99% | 2.05% |
Woodlawn | 0.67% | 1.54% | 1.94% | 2.28% | 2.33% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Jefferson County, Illinois
When examining property taxes in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Appraisal District 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 Jefferson County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Jefferson County.
For example, the median tax bill in Jefferson County is $1,678, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Ashley has the highest median home price at $107,128.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Jefferson County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell

$43,035
$75,082
$107,128
Median Jefferson County Assessed Value
$61,827
Median Illinois Assessed Value
$194,700
Median United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Jefferson County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashley | $13,886 | $35,342 | $107,128 | $164,374 | $189,969 |
Belle Rive | $10,235 | $28,432 | $62,313 | $104,898 | $146,227 |
Bluford | $5,483 | $20,164 | $51,495 | $95,950 | $138,831 |
Bonnie | $6,277 | $18,437 | $43,035 | $80,531 | $114,161 |
Centralia | $8,121 | $21,783 | $56,055 | $91,287 | $173,527 |
Dix | $4,549 | $21,183 | $63,483 | $106,542 | $153,670 |
Du Bois | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ewing | $13,640 | $44,880 | $76,968 | $144,417 | $155,219 |
Ina | $11,214 | $22,875 | $48,423 | $86,376 | $143,418 |
Keenes | $10,134 | $20,122 | $63,996 | $76,532 | $90,882 |
Kell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Mount Vernon | $14,919 | $27,442 | $64,438 | $119,065 | $182,172 |
Nason | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Opdyke | $11,898 | $24,660 | $61,005 | $105,441 | $149,992 |
Richview | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Scheller | $8,167 | $20,684 | $57,693 | $126,796 | $163,977 |
Sesser | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Texico | $13,201 | $31,131 | $78,603 | $125,028 | $154,495 |
Walnut Hill | $13,461 | $30,166 | $68,127 | $124,542 | $185,676 |
Waltonville | $10,356 | $23,369 | $55,413 | $109,692 | $159,078 |
Woodlawn | $14,166 | $34,220 | $79,762 | $134,834 | $186,661 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Jefferson County, Illinois
Median Jefferson County Tax Bill
$1,229
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$4,715
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Jefferson County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashley | $244 | $803 | $1,678 | $2,895 | $3,928 |
Belle Rive | $109 | $432 | $1,008 | $1,883 | $2,771 |
Bluford | $72 | $274 | $984 | $1,801 | $2,730 |
Bonnie | $51 | $195 | $630 | $1,331 | $2,257 |
Centralia | $70 | $209 | $832 | $1,890 | $3,865 |
Dix | $58 | $261 | $977 | $1,883 | $2,906 |
Du Bois | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ewing | $521 | $666 | $1,297 | $3,227 | $3,493 |
Ina | $125 | $388 | $909 | $1,711 | $3,059 |
Keenes | $212 | $418 | $961 | $1,820 | $2,216 |
Kell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Mount Vernon | $239 | $579 | $1,368 | $2,798 | $4,437 |
Nason | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Opdyke | $135 | $394 | $1,073 | $2,063 | $3,090 |
Richview | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Scheller | $84 | $339 | $837 | $2,091 | $3,000 |
Sesser | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Texico | $134 | $390 | $1,380 | $2,368 | $3,344 |
Walnut Hill | $228 | $579 | $1,173 | $2,464 | $3,705 |
Waltonville | $125 | $292 | $779 | $1,715 | $2,735 |
Woodlawn | $169 | $465 | $1,434 | $2,550 | $3,751 |
Source: Ownwell