Tensas County, Louisiana Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Tensas County effective property tax rate: 1.24%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Tensas County home value: $33,000
Median annual Tensas County tax bill: $271, $2,129 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Tensas County calculated?

Property taxes in Tensas 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 St. Joseph or another part of Tensas County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Tensas County, Louisiana Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.24%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$409

$380

Ownwell’s Tensas County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Tensas County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Tensas County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Tensas County. The median property tax bill in Tensas County is $221, significantly lower than the national median of $2,400. This makes property ownership in Tensas County more affordable compared to many other regions. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County, Louisiana

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within Louisiana. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws are involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.

Below, you can compare Tensas County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Louisiana or the U.S. median property tax rate. Tensas County has a median property tax rate of 1.24%, which stands above the national median of 1.02%. Within Louisiana, the highest median tax rate is found in Waterproof at 1.32%, while Tallulah has the lowest at 1.23%. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics. Whether you're a homeowner or a prospective buyer, knowing these rates can help you make informed financial decisions. By appealing your property taxes, you might find opportunities to save, ensuring you only pay what's fair.

Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County, Louisiana

Source: Ownwell

1.23%

1.27%

1.32%

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 Tensas County Tax Rate

1.24%

Median Effective Louisiana Tax Rate

0.91%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County, Louisiana

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clayton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ferriday	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newellton	0.25%	0.87%	1.23%	1.48%	1.48%
Saint Joseph	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tallulah	1.20%	1.21%	1.23%	1.24%	1.26%
Waterproof	0.27%	0.38%	1.32%	1.57%	1.57%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tensas County, Louisiana

When examining property taxes in Tensas 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 Tensas Parish Assessor 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 Tensas 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 Tensas County.

For example, the median tax bill in Tensas County is $245, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Newellton has the highest median home price at $33,000.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tensas County, Louisiana

Source: Ownwell

$17,030

$25,015

$33,000

Median Tensas County Market Value

$33,000

Median Louisiana Market Value

$105,500

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tensas County, Louisiana

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clayton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ferriday	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newellton	$8,000	$14,000	$33,000	$68,000	$207,805
Saint Joseph	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tallulah	$7,000	$9,750	$17,030	$124,575	$511,962
Waterproof	$7,000	$11,000	$20,300	$41,000	$76,108

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana

In Tensas County, LA, property tax bills are determined by the assessed value of a property and the local tax rate. The median home price in the county is $33,000, and property tax rates are applied to this assessed value to calculate the tax bill. The median property tax bill in Tensas County is notably lower than the national median of $2,400, with amounts ranging between $103 at the 25th percentile and $3,419 at the 90th percentile. In the city of Newellton, the highest median tax bill is $245, while in Waterproof, it is $179. These figures illustrate how property taxes can vary significantly within the county, depending on the property's location and assessed value. Homeowners in Tensas County benefit from lower property tax bills compared to the national average, which can make homeownership more affordable. However, the variance in tax bills can impact household budgeting and financial planning, particularly for those at the higher end of the tax spectrum.

Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana

Source: Ownwell

$179

$212

$245

Median Tensas County Tax Bill

$271

Median Louisiana Tax Bill

$865

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clayton	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ferriday	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Newellton	$66	$115	$245	$658	$2,780
Saint Joseph	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tallulah	$86	$110	$182	$1,545	$7,212
Waterproof	$47	$94	$179	$350	$732

Source: Ownwell