Benzie County, Michigan Property Taxes

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

Median Benzie County effective property tax rate: 0.34%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Benzie County home value: $250,400
Median annual Benzie County tax bill: $868, $1,532 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Benzie County calculated?

Property taxes in Benzie 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 Benzonia or another part of Benzie County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Benzie County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.34%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$851

$790

Ownwell’s Benzie County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Benzie County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Benzie 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 Benzie County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Benzie County, Michigan

Local government entities in Michigan set tax rates, which can vary widely across the state. Each year, Benzie County estimates the budget required to provide essential services and divides that by the total assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation determines the property tax rate. Although votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.

Benzie County's effective property tax rate can be compared to other counties in Michigan or even to the U.S. median property tax rate. With a median property tax rate of 0.34%, Benzie County is significantly below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This means that property owners in Benzie County enjoy one of the lower tax rates in the country. In comparison, the highest median tax rate in Michigan is found in Frankfort at 0.87%, while Arcadia has a lower median tax rate of 0.48%. This variation highlights the importance of understanding local tax rates and how they impact property owners.

Property Tax Rates Across Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

0.29%

0.58%

0.87%

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 Benzie County Taxx Rate

0.34%

Median Effective Michigan Taxx Rate

1.07%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

0.99%

Property Tax Rates Across Benzie County, Michigan

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arcadia	0.27%	0.37%	0.48%	0.77%	1.15%
Benzonia	0.20%	0.24%	0.29%	0.35%	0.42%
Beulah	0.19%	0.24%	0.29%	0.36%	0.43%
Elberta	0.21%	0.32%	0.61%	1.16%	1.54%
Empire	0.18%	0.27%	0.31%	0.39%	0.44%
Frankfort	0.34%	0.49%	0.87%	1.32%	1.63%
Honor	0.20%	0.25%	0.31%	0.37%	0.44%
Interlochen	0.23%	0.27%	0.30%	0.37%	0.42%
Lake Ann	0.23%	0.26%	0.29%	0.36%	0.42%
Maple City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Thompsonville	0.19%	0.27%	0.33%	0.41%	0.46%
Traverse City	0.21%	0.26%	0.30%	0.36%	0.40%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benzie County, Michigan

When examining property taxes in Benzie 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 Benzie County Equalization Department 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 Benzie County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. 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 Benzie County. For example, the median tax bill in Benzie County is $1,707, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Empire has the highest median home price at $444,000.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

$129,000

$286,500

$444,000

Median Benzie County Market Value

$250,400

Median Michigan Market Value

$177,800

Median United States Market Value

$244,900

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Benzie County, Michigan

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arcadia	$121,800	$194,800	$299,600	$514,800	$678,400
Benzonia	$81,980	$123,050	$186,200	$276,400	$378,000
Beulah	$103,420	$177,900	$277,300	$441,750	$749,400
Elberta	$15,520	$78,400	$129,000	$181,800	$237,400
Empire	$152,960	$226,600	$444,000	$664,200	$903,000
Frankfort	$119,820	$194,600	$322,000	$578,300	$1,010,780
Honor	$98,000	$152,050	$241,500	$413,500	$634,400
Interlochen	$87,360	$145,700	$225,000	$305,000	$386,440
Lake Ann	$140,560	$196,800	$262,600	$361,400	$528,600
Maple City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Thompsonville	$71,600	$114,100	$160,000	$293,500	$453,320
Traverse City	$138,900	$208,050	$271,500	$328,000	$423,700

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Benzie County, Michigan

In Benzie County, Michigan, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the market value of the property. Homeowners in Benzie County pay a median property tax bill that varies significantly depending on the assessed value of their home. For instance, in Frankfort, the highest median tax bill reaches $2,631, while in Benzonia, the lowest is $535. These figures illustrate the range of property tax burdens within the county.

The tax bill is influenced by local tax rates and the assessed value of the property. With a median home price of $250,400, Benzie County's property tax bills can be compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Homeowners in Benzie County may find their tax bills higher or lower than the national average, affecting their overall housing costs. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners when budgeting for annual expenses.

Property Tax Bills Across Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

$535

$1,583

$2,631

Median Benzie County Tax Bill

$868

Median Michigan Tax Bill

$1,795

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,690

Property Tax Bills Across Benzie County, Michigan

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arcadia	$509	$763	$1,537	$3,224	$4,559
Benzonia	$195	$332	$535	$841	$1,230
Beulah	$271	$460	$769	$1,344	$2,327
Elberta	$168	$263	$563	$1,109	$2,070
Empire	$331	$598	$1,313	$2,177	$3,070
Frankfort	$732	$1,293	$2,631	$5,540	$9,787
Honor	$261	$442	$742	$1,280	$2,137
Interlochen	$224	$437	$674	$993	$1,351
Lake Ann	$402	$561	$812	$1,136	$1,613
Maple City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Thompsonville	$163	$339	$588	$943	$1,650
Traverse City	$331	$554	$802	$1,032	$1,435

Source: Ownwell