Kalamazoo County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Kalamazoo County is 0.87%, which is lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the Michigan state median of 1.07%. With a median home value of $197,650 in Kalamazoo County, the typical annual property tax bill amounts to $1,531, significantly below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Kalamazoo County are calculated based on the assessed value, which is often less than the market value due to various property tax exemptions such as those for primary residences and agricultural properties. Understanding the specific property tax system in Kalamazoo County, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can result in substantial annual savings. Whether you reside in Kalamazoo or another part of the county, having a thorough understanding of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Kalamazoo County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.87%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,720
$1,596
Ownwell’s Kalamazoo Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Kalamazoo with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Kalamazoo 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’s 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 Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Property taxes in Kalamazoo play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Kalamazoo is 0.87%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Kalamazoo set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo's effective property tax rate with other cities in Michigan and the national median. For comparison, the city of Portage has one of the higher property tax rates in Michigan at 1.60%, while the city of Augusta boasts one of the lowest at 0.40%. Analyzing how Kalamazoo's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Kalamazoo County Tax Rate
0.87%
Average Michigan Tax Rate
1.07%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Augusta | 0.30% | 0.35% | 0.40% | 0.46% | 0.51% |
| Battle Creek | 0.32% | 0.34% | 0.35% | 0.38% | 0.41% |
| Climax | 0.36% | 0.40% | 0.48% | 1.15% | 1.40% |
| Fulton | 0.29% | 0.32% | 0.35% | 0.50% | 0.87% |
| Galesburg | 0.37% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.54% | 1.09% |
| Hickory Corners | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kalamazoo | 0.35% | 0.42% | 0.74% | 1.04% | 1.35% |
| Lawton | 0.30% | 0.36% | 0.40% | 0.44% | 0.53% |
| Marcellus | 0.35% | 0.38% | 0.42% | 0.43% | 0.44% |
| Mattawan | 0.34% | 0.42% | 0.47% | 0.51% | 0.54% |
| Mendon | 0.29% | 0.32% | 0.42% | 1.01% | 1.17% |
| Otsego | 0.27% | 0.32% | 0.35% | 0.39% | 0.46% |
| Plainwell | 0.33% | 0.36% | 0.39% | 0.43% | 0.48% |
| Portage | 1.30% | 1.44% | 1.60% | 1.83% | 2.00% |
| Richland | 0.35% | 0.39% | 0.43% | 0.49% | 0.53% |
| Schoolcraft | 0.34% | 0.39% | 0.45% | 0.88% | 1.16% |
| Scotts | 0.38% | 0.63% | 0.91% | 1.09% | 1.27% |
| Vicksburg | 0.51% | 0.87% | 1.08% | 1.57% | 1.92% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes in Kalamazoo. 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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo 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, the highest median tax bill in the county is in Portage at $3,523, while Marcellus enjoys the lowest at $243. Being aware of these valuation processes will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$55,000
$220,750
$386,500
Average Kalamazoo County Assessed Value
$197,650
Average Michigan Assessed Value
$177,800
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $164,600 | $164,600 | $164,600 | $164,600 | $164,600 |
| Augusta | $106,000 | $155,200 | $240,600 | $387,200 | $577,800 |
| Battle Creek | $251,980 | $257,650 | $330,600 | $437,450 | $504,140 |
| Climax | $101,900 | $139,900 | $189,900 | $247,400 | $339,420 |
| Fulton | $76,920 | $109,200 | $149,600 | $218,000 | $308,840 |
| Galesburg | $99,800 | $145,450 | $210,600 | $275,800 | $372,400 |
| Hickory Corners | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kalamazoo | $69,400 | $109,200 | $176,800 | $260,600 | $386,800 |
| Lawton | $170,600 | $213,250 | $260,600 | $351,200 | $435,740 |
| Marcellus | $46,840 | $49,900 | $55,000 | $155,100 | $215,160 |
| Mattawan | $223,300 | $291,350 | $386,500 | $581,500 | $721,940 |
| Mendon | $80,600 | $125,700 | $200,600 | $233,000 | $273,800 |
| Otsego | $125,640 | $167,000 | $232,400 | $319,050 | $452,340 |
| Plainwell | $132,420 | $168,600 | $233,000 | $306,200 | $397,480 |
| Portage | $133,800 | $162,800 | $218,200 | $296,500 | $414,000 |
| Richland | $164,320 | $213,600 | $279,200 | $437,600 | $733,840 |
| Schoolcraft | $98,780 | $162,400 | $251,700 | $357,450 | $456,220 |
| Scotts | $121,600 | $177,050 | $235,300 | $317,550 | $435,640 |
| Vicksburg | $61,000 | $124,800 | $194,200 | $272,700 | $415,840 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
In Kalamazoo County, MI, property tax bills are determined by the assessed value of a home, which is typically a percentage of its market value. The median home price in the county is $197,650. Property taxes are then calculated by applying the local tax rate to this assessed value. Several factors influence the final tax bill, including property location, local government budgets, and any applicable exemptions or deductions. Homeowners in Kalamazoo County experience a range of property tax bills. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $864, while the 75th percentile reaches $2713. At the higher end, the 90th percentile tax bill can be as much as $4335. The city of Portage has the highest median tax bill in the county at $3523, whereas Marcellus has the lowest at $243. These variations significantly impact homeowners, influencing their overall housing costs and, consequently, their financial planning and quality of life. With the national median property tax rate at 0.99%, homeowners in Kalamazoo County may find their property tax bills either aligning with or deviating from this benchmark based on local assessments and rates.
Average Kalamazoo County Tax Bill
$1,531
Average Michigan Tax Bill
$1,795
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Kalamazoo County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $453 | $453 | $453 | $453 | $453 |
| Augusta | $399 | $588 | $996 | $1,654 | $2,528 |
| Battle Creek | $881 | $927 | $1,110 | $1,541 | $2,034 |
| Climax | $474 | $687 | $1,044 | $2,139 | $3,179 |
| Fulton | $255 | $367 | $559 | $896 | $2,082 |
| Galesburg | $574 | $798 | $1,084 | $1,507 | $2,290 |
| Hickory Corners | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kalamazoo | $477 | $730 | $1,167 | $1,897 | $2,794 |
| Lawton | $639 | $860 | $1,089 | $1,332 | $1,979 |
| Marcellus | $168 | $196 | $243 | $662 | $913 |
| Mattawan | $903 | $1,273 | $1,726 | $2,707 | $3,566 |
| Mendon | $318 | $358 | $689 | $1,718 | $3,108 |
| Otsego | $413 | $577 | $820 | $1,089 | $1,494 |
| Plainwell | $495 | $662 | $887 | $1,226 | $1,589 |
| Portage | $2,007 | $2,573 | $3,523 | $4,953 | $6,955 |
| Richland | $690 | $902 | $1,246 | $1,935 | $3,357 |
| Schoolcraft | $583 | $934 | $1,302 | $1,747 | $2,316 |
| Scotts | $654 | $1,259 | $2,162 | $2,965 | $4,109 |
| Vicksburg | $497 | $1,205 | $2,251 | $3,474 | $4,981 |
Source: Ownwell