Bay County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Bay County is 1.00%, which is slightly higher than the national median of 0.99% but lower than the Michigan state median of 1.07%. With the median home value in Bay County at $117,300, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $1,271, significantly below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Bay County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Bay 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 Bay City or another part of Bay County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Bay County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,173
$1,089
Ownwell’s Bay County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Bay County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Bay 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 Bay County, Michigan
Property taxes in Bay County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Bay County is 1.00%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Bay County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Bay 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. The following data compares Bay County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Michigan and the national median. For comparison, the city of Bay City has one of the higher property tax rates in Michigan at 1.36%, while the city of Reese boasts one of the lowest at 0.46%. Analyzing how Bay County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Bay County Tax Rate
1.00%
Average Michigan Tax Rate
1.07%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 0.69% | 0.77% | 0.89% | 1.49% | 1.75% |
| Bay City | 0.61% | 0.80% | 1.36% | 1.63% | 2.06% |
| Bentley | 0.24% | 0.30% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.54% |
| Essexville | 0.84% | 0.94% | 1.16% | 1.64% | 1.95% |
| Freeland | 0.39% | 0.50% | 0.70% | 0.87% | 1.02% |
| Kawkawlin | 0.62% | 0.74% | 0.83% | 0.94% | 1.25% |
| Linwood | 0.34% | 0.43% | 0.47% | 0.59% | 0.86% |
| Midland | 0.64% | 0.72% | 0.79% | 0.91% | 1.09% |
| Munger | 0.46% | 0.59% | 0.64% | 0.77% | 0.88% |
| Pinconning | 0.34% | 0.44% | 0.86% | 1.43% | 2.04% |
| Reese | 0.43% | 0.45% | 0.46% | 0.51% | 0.59% |
| Rhodes | 0.22% | 0.31% | 0.38% | 0.46% | 0.53% |
| Saginaw | 0.52% | 0.71% | 0.79% | 0.92% | 1.01% |
| Standish | 0.24% | 0.28% | 0.34% | 0.41% | 0.49% |
| Sterling | 0.25% | 0.29% | 0.35% | 0.43% | 0.51% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay County, Michigan
In Bay 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 Bay 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 Bay 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. For instance, Essexville has the highest median tax bill at $1,769, while Bentley has the lowest at $451. Being aware of these valuation processes in Bay County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Bay County Assessed Value
$117,300
Average Michigan Assessed Value
$177,800
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $91,600 | $119,275 | $157,150 | $224,800 | $309,550 |
| Bay City | $52,900 | $71,300 | $103,700 | $163,000 | $246,400 |
| Bentley | $39,500 | $71,550 | $122,300 | $198,300 | $312,700 |
| Essexville | $73,200 | $99,700 | $137,200 | $200,200 | $281,920 |
| Freeland | $100,380 | $136,200 | $190,600 | $294,200 | $388,120 |
| Kawkawlin | $60,760 | $103,600 | $151,000 | $215,200 | $305,240 |
| Linwood | $28,000 | $85,200 | $131,000 | $199,200 | $330,000 |
| Midland | $86,300 | $115,900 | $154,900 | $207,300 | $279,600 |
| Munger | $76,830 | $99,675 | $130,750 | $178,900 | $255,150 |
| Pinconning | $47,680 | $80,200 | $126,000 | $184,000 | $261,200 |
| Reese | $78,470 | $131,050 | $152,200 | $179,350 | $204,890 |
| Rhodes | $54,760 | $108,500 | $161,400 | $230,700 | $290,320 |
| Saginaw | $88,140 | $114,800 | $147,900 | $200,100 | $257,520 |
| Standish | $56,360 | $87,050 | $148,400 | $212,350 | $435,340 |
| Sterling | $45,640 | $86,600 | $129,200 | $202,600 | $258,840 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bay County, Michigan
Property tax bills in Bay County, Michigan, are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is a percentage of its market value. Local tax rates are then applied to this assessed value to determine the final tax bill. Factors such as property improvements, neighborhood changes, and local government budgets can influence these rates. For homeowners, this means that even if property values remain stable, tax bills can fluctuate due to changes in local tax rates. In Bay County, the median home price is $117,300. Property tax bills vary significantly across the county, with the 25th percentile at $893 and the 75th percentile at $1781. The 90th percentile reaches up to $2520. Essexville has the highest median tax bill at $1769, while Bentley has the lowest at $451. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics and how they can impact homeowners' financial obligations. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Bay County's rates reflect both lower and higher ends of the spectrum, depending on the specific area within the county.
Average Bay County Tax Bill
$1,271
Average Michigan Tax Bill
$1,795
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $870 | $1,154 | $1,633 | $2,393 | $3,333 |
| Bay City | $730 | $959 | $1,277 | $1,721 | $2,378 |
| Bentley | $153 | $257 | $451 | $690 | $1,017 |
| Essexville | $960 | $1,304 | $1,769 | $2,381 | $3,245 |
| Freeland | $571 | $800 | $1,306 | $2,013 | $2,898 |
| Kawkawlin | $506 | $868 | $1,259 | $1,828 | $2,565 |
| Linwood | $155 | $394 | $637 | $1,033 | $1,859 |
| Midland | $698 | $977 | $1,288 | $1,714 | $2,440 |
| Munger | $461 | $622 | $842 | $1,336 | $1,842 |
| Pinconning | $345 | $576 | $998 | $1,558 | $2,262 |
| Reese | $363 | $545 | $739 | $877 | $1,024 |
| Rhodes | $207 | $385 | $579 | $868 | $1,189 |
| Saginaw | $580 | $976 | $1,171 | $1,701 | $2,015 |
| Standish | $220 | $307 | $507 | $767 | $1,513 |
| Sterling | $161 | $279 | $451 | $802 | $1,074 |
Source: Ownwell