Stephenson County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Stephenson County is 3.21%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Illinois state median of 2.35%. With the median home value in Stephenson County at $60,276, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $1,883, which is still below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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 Freeport or another part of Stephenson County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Stephenson County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
3.21%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,935
$1,891
Ownwell’s Stephenson County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Stephenson County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, Illinois
Property taxes in Stephenson County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Stephenson County is 3.21%, which is significantly higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Stephenson County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Stephenson 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 Cedarville has one of the higher property tax rates in Illinois at 4.14%, while the city of Baileyville boasts one of the lowest at 2.23%. Analyzing how Stephenson County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Stephenson County Tax Rate
3.21%
Average Illinois Tax Rate
2.35%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Stephenson County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baileyville | 1.94% | 2.05% | 2.23% | 2.41% | 2.52% |
| Cedarville | 3.67% | 4.14% | 4.14% | 4.17% | 4.19% |
| Dakota | 2.74% | 3.37% | 3.48% | 3.49% | 3.69% |
| Davis | 2.31% | 2.46% | 2.75% | 3.21% | 3.23% |
| Freeport | 1.91% | 2.52% | 3.32% | 4.14% | 4.14% |
| German Valley | 3.18% | 3.18% | 3.18% | 3.18% | 3.18% |
| Kent | 2.64% | 2.71% | 2.82% | 2.82% | 2.82% |
| Leaf River | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.58% | 2.58% |
| Lena | 2.12% | 2.46% | 2.65% | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| Mc Connell | 1.99% | 2.16% | 2.44% | 2.72% | 2.89% |
| Orangeville | 2.29% | 2.51% | 3.25% | 3.66% | 3.82% |
| Pearl City | 1.98% | 2.32% | 2.57% | 2.97% | 3.21% |
| Pecatonica | 2.11% | 2.19% | 2.34% | 2.45% | 2.52% |
| Ridott | 1.99% | 3.03% | 3.51% | 3.91% | 3.96% |
| Rock City | 2.32% | 2.55% | 2.60% | 3.20% | 3.22% |
| Shannon | 2.65% | 2.65% | 2.65% | 2.65% | 2.65% |
| Winslow | 2.08% | 2.40% | 2.82% | 3.07% | 3.34% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stephenson County, Illinois
Understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes in Stephenson County, IL. 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 Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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. Stephenson County has a range of tax bills, with Kent experiencing the highest median tax bill at $6,028 and Freeport the lowest at $1,662. Being aware of these valuation processes in Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell
$51,878
$149,169
$246,460
Average Stephenson County Assessed Value
$60,276
Average Illinois Assessed Value
$194,700
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stephenson County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baileyville | $200,084 | $217,475 | $246,460 | $275,446 | $292,837 |
| Cedarville | $35,848 | $52,130 | $61,990 | $71,647 | $75,232 |
| Dakota | $20,436 | $58,748 | $78,687 | $110,958 | $165,255 |
| Davis | $44,961 | $62,848 | $86,078 | $132,008 | $194,700 |
| Freeport | $21,886 | $33,200 | $51,878 | $104,248 | $147,905 |
| German Valley | $105,900 | $105,900 | $105,900 | $105,900 | $105,900 |
| Kent | $65,168 | $120,826 | $213,591 | $315,144 | $376,076 |
| Leaf River | $130,749 | $130,749 | $130,749 | $130,749 | $130,749 |
| Lena | $66,812 | $121,080 | $151,449 | $174,501 | $201,970 |
| Mc Connell | $43,781 | $84,320 | $151,884 | $219,448 | $259,987 |
| Orangeville | $57,330 | $77,316 | $93,480 | $119,378 | $169,980 |
| Pearl City | $45,750 | $69,375 | $92,499 | $128,313 | $225,903 |
| Pecatonica | $147,584 | $176,864 | $225,663 | $240,462 | $249,341 |
| Ridott | $13,928 | $31,790 | $70,251 | $211,509 | $363,493 |
| Rock City | $47,087 | $71,967 | $84,009 | $125,304 | $301,973 |
| Shannon | $139,812 | $139,812 | $139,812 | $139,812 | $139,812 |
| Winslow | $37,199 | $46,927 | $61,376 | $95,037 | $121,581 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Stephenson County, Illinois
In Stephenson County, IL, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the home, which is determined by the local assessor. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the market value, and this figure is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the tax bill. Factors such as property improvements, location, and market conditions can influence the assessed value. For example, the median home price in Stephenson County is $60,276. Homeowners in Stephenson County experience a range of tax bills. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,028, while those in the 75th percentile pay around $3,373. The top 10% of taxpayers face bills as high as $5,044. These figures highlight the variability in property tax burdens, which can significantly impact homeowners' finances. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Stephenson County’s tax rates may seem relatively high, especially when considering the highest median tax bill of $6,028 in Kent and the lowest of $1,662 in Freeport.
Average Stephenson County Tax Bill
$1,883
Average Illinois Tax Bill
$4,715
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Stephenson County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baileyville | $4,965 | $5,085 | $5,286 | $5,486 | $5,607 |
| Cedarville | $1,490 | $2,152 | $2,366 | $2,687 | $2,992 |
| Dakota | $665 | $1,757 | $2,740 | $3,999 | $6,091 |
| Davis | $1,247 | $1,827 | $2,392 | $3,107 | $4,961 |
| Freeport | $552 | $972 | $1,662 | $3,108 | $4,814 |
| German Valley | $3,368 | $3,368 | $3,368 | $3,368 | $3,368 |
| Kent | $1,839 | $3,410 | $6,028 | $8,429 | $9,869 |
| Leaf River | $3,374 | $3,374 | $3,374 | $3,374 | $3,374 |
| Lena | $2,013 | $2,736 | $4,016 | $4,749 | $5,428 |
| Mc Connell | $990 | $1,722 | $2,940 | $4,159 | $4,890 |
| Orangeville | $2,140 | $2,240 | $2,797 | $3,448 | $4,819 |
| Pearl City | $1,470 | $1,778 | $2,279 | $3,453 | $5,247 |
| Pecatonica | $3,153 | $3,947 | $5,269 | $5,912 | $6,298 |
| Ridott | $832 | $1,233 | $2,768 | $4,689 | $6,279 |
| Rock City | $1,485 | $1,722 | $2,723 | $3,262 | $6,935 |
| Shannon | $3,707 | $3,707 | $3,707 | $3,707 | $3,707 |
| Winslow | $1,037 | $1,201 | $1,682 | $2,682 | $3,507 |
Source: Ownwell