Otter Tail County, Minnesota Property Taxes
Median Otter Tail County effective property tax rate: 0.74%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Otter Tail County home value: $204,500
Median annual Otter Tail County tax bill: $1,674, $726 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Otter Tail County calculated?
Property taxes in Otter Tail 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 Fergus Falls or another part of Otter Tail County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Otter Tail County, Minnesota Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.74%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,513
$1,404
Property Tax Rates Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Local government entities in Minnesota set tax rates, which can vary widely within the state. Each year, counties estimate their required budget to provide services and divide that by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. Although votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is the annual process in a nutshell.
In Otter Tail County, the effective property tax rate is 0.74%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. This means residents here pay less in property taxes compared to many other parts of the country. Within the county, Fergus Falls has the highest median tax rate at 1.05%, while Evansville enjoys the lowest at 0.56%. For property owners, understanding these differences is crucial for financial planning and making informed decisions about property investments. Comparing Otter Tail County's tax rate to the U.S. median provides valuable insight into how local rates measure up on a national scale.
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 Otter Tail County Tax Rate
0.74%
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 Minnesota Tax Rate
1.11%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashby | 0.39% | 0.55% | 0.75% | 0.89% | 0.93% |
Barnesville | 0.38% | 0.49% | 0.70% | 0.74% | 0.75% |
Battle Lake | 0.52% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.69% | 1.00% |
Bertha | 0.24% | 0.35% | 0.63% | 0.79% | 0.87% |
Bluffton | 0.33% | 0.57% | 0.88% | 1.07% | 1.16% |
Brandon | 0.26% | 0.56% | 0.79% | 0.92% | 0.96% |
Campbell | 0.32% | 0.47% | 0.63% | 0.77% | 0.97% |
Clitherall | 0.53% | 0.59% | 0.63% | 0.67% | 0.71% |
Dalton | 0.56% | 0.68% | 0.76% | 0.93% | 1.24% |
Deer Creek | 0.39% | 0.61% | 0.76% | 0.97% | 1.22% |
Dent | 0.64% | 0.67% | 0.72% | 0.75% | 0.79% |
Detroit Lakes | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.71% | 0.76% | 0.80% |
Eagle Bend | 0.37% | 0.42% | 0.69% | 0.81% | 0.91% |
Elbow Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Elizabeth | 0.53% | 0.71% | 0.87% | 1.07% | 1.25% |
Erhard | 0.43% | 0.63% | 0.69% | 0.76% | 0.87% |
Evansville | 0.32% | 0.48% | 0.56% | 0.61% | 0.78% |
Fergus Falls | 0.70% | 0.77% | 1.05% | 1.18% | 1.23% |
Frazee | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.74% | 0.77% | 0.85% |
Henning | 0.51% | 0.60% | 0.66% | 0.77% | 1.06% |
Hewitt | 0.31% | 0.39% | 0.63% | 0.77% | 0.82% |
Menahga | 0.34% | 0.39% | 0.72% | 0.89% | 0.95% |
Miltona | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New York Mills | 0.44% | 0.71% | 0.86% | 1.23% | 1.51% |
Ottertail | 0.61% | 0.66% | 0.72% | 0.85% | 0.94% |
Parkers Prairie | 0.44% | 0.71% | 0.83% | 1.45% | 1.67% |
Pelican Rapids | 0.63% | 0.69% | 0.74% | 0.80% | 1.25% |
Perham | 0.63% | 0.70% | 0.77% | 1.02% | 1.13% |
Richville | 0.53% | 0.60% | 0.66% | 0.74% | 0.78% |
Rothsay | 0.37% | 0.70% | 0.90% | 1.75% | 1.98% |
Sebeka | 0.31% | 0.42% | 0.70% | 0.83% | 0.92% |
Underwood | 0.53% | 0.62% | 0.73% | 0.82% | 0.95% |
Vergas | 0.62% | 0.68% | 0.73% | 0.77% | 1.15% |
Vining | 0.38% | 0.58% | 0.67% | 0.74% | 0.81% |
Wadena | 0.34% | 0.59% | 0.76% | 0.79% | 0.85% |
Wendell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
When examining property taxes in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County Assessor's Office 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 Otter Tail County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Otter Tail County. For example, the median tax bill in Otter Tail County is $2045, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Detroit Lakes has the highest median home price at $404,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Source: Ownwell

$143,950
$274,175
$404,400
Median Otter Tail County Market Value
$204,500
Median Minnesota Market Value
$290,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashby | $122,440 | $188,400 | $266,500 | $418,600 | $601,080 |
Barnesville | $128,700 | $157,450 | $230,300 | $297,500 | $511,600 |
Battle Lake | $25,040 | $106,250 | $279,800 | $475,850 | $682,160 |
Bertha | $90,730 | $173,375 | $284,350 | $383,475 | $540,340 |
Bluffton | $43,560 | $93,500 | $166,000 | $293,700 | $523,540 |
Brandon | $129,630 | $180,600 | $300,100 | $441,350 | $541,470 |
Campbell | $174,400 | $229,750 | $288,700 | $536,925 | $1,029,300 |
Clitherall | $29,900 | $113,300 | $274,100 | $493,000 | $678,800 |
Dalton | $25,600 | $70,375 | $174,850 | $342,625 | $489,750 |
Deer Creek | $29,950 | $84,750 | $160,100 | $293,075 | $418,650 |
Dent | $23,330 | $88,325 | $224,050 | $367,500 | $521,570 |
Detroit Lakes | $33,220 | $113,300 | $404,400 | $713,850 | $1,035,020 |
Eagle Bend | $94,550 | $165,850 | $281,950 | $417,500 | $551,240 |
Elbow Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Elizabeth | $14,340 | $62,800 | $143,950 | $253,550 | $400,800 |
Erhard | $44,600 | $110,250 | $215,700 | $339,050 | $464,800 |
Evansville | $51,740 | $129,000 | $233,700 | $380,100 | $486,460 |
Fergus Falls | $29,200 | $105,000 | $171,600 | $277,600 | $408,800 |
Frazee | $36,560 | $148,350 | $311,000 | $471,850 | $641,940 |
Henning | $34,260 | $91,175 | $184,500 | $329,600 | $500,050 |
Hewitt | $86,860 | $134,700 | $249,600 | $361,300 | $521,660 |
Menahga | $140,500 | $185,750 | $264,300 | $407,050 | $536,340 |
Miltona | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New York Mills | $45,000 | $104,950 | $189,100 | $284,600 | $434,400 |
Ottertail | $16,680 | $71,850 | $199,100 | $369,575 | $554,460 |
Parkers Prairie | $47,880 | $98,400 | $165,800 | $284,900 | $446,600 |
Pelican Rapids | $21,740 | $94,200 | $232,800 | $432,900 | $640,560 |
Perham | $23,700 | $127,200 | $234,100 | $378,000 | $527,100 |
Richville | $26,260 | $86,550 | $241,000 | $425,850 | $675,960 |
Rothsay | $50,500 | $102,300 | $176,800 | $323,000 | $733,200 |
Sebeka | $76,040 | $146,500 | $236,300 | $356,400 | $515,100 |
Underwood | $29,540 | $88,375 | $193,550 | $335,875 | $477,660 |
Vergas | $32,060 | $128,500 | $261,700 | $428,200 | $585,500 |
Vining | $32,400 | $131,525 | $261,200 | $397,500 | $528,100 |
Wadena | $87,280 | $160,500 | $224,300 | $317,900 | $443,140 |
Wendell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Median Otter Tail County Tax Bill
$1,674
Median Minnesota Tax Bill
$3,182
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Otter Tail County, Minnesota
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ashby | $836 | $1,336 | $2,016 | $2,606 | $3,522 |
Barnesville | $862 | $1,058 | $1,316 | $2,145 | $2,372 |
Battle Lake | $148 | $712 | $1,862 | $2,998 | $4,523 |
Bertha | $512 | $913 | $1,498 | $2,038 | $2,471 |
Bluffton | $464 | $842 | $1,376 | $2,033 | $2,680 |
Brandon | $1,183 | $1,506 | $1,804 | $2,796 | $3,353 |
Campbell | $1,146 | $1,464 | $1,936 | $2,748 | $3,338 |
Clitherall | $224 | $691 | $1,648 | $3,004 | $4,314 |
Dalton | $238 | $709 | $1,438 | $2,457 | $3,582 |
Deer Creek | $379 | $726 | $1,208 | $1,810 | $2,504 |
Dent | $184 | $622 | $1,558 | $2,597 | $3,722 |
Detroit Lakes | $213 | $757 | $2,829 | $5,400 | $7,992 |
Eagle Bend | $641 | $1,013 | $1,507 | $2,048 | $3,668 |
Elbow Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Elizabeth | $202 | $560 | $1,218 | $1,960 | $2,628 |
Erhard | $326 | $724 | $1,395 | $2,152 | $2,950 |
Evansville | $280 | $564 | $1,182 | $1,710 | $2,530 |
Fergus Falls | $358 | $1,074 | $1,708 | $2,606 | $3,688 |
Frazee | $268 | $1,028 | $2,250 | $3,472 | $4,933 |
Henning | $240 | $736 | $1,287 | $2,108 | $3,156 |
Hewitt | $597 | $847 | $1,256 | $1,832 | $2,386 |
Menahga | $812 | $1,152 | $1,792 | $2,346 | $2,705 |
Miltona | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New York Mills | $425 | $990 | $1,675 | $2,388 | $3,223 |
Ottertail | $136 | $500 | $1,474 | $2,742 | $4,194 |
Parkers Prairie | $400 | $990 | $1,676 | $2,443 | $3,241 |
Pelican Rapids | $190 | $834 | $1,912 | $3,202 | $4,874 |
Perham | $240 | $1,144 | $2,092 | $3,046 | $4,057 |
Richville | $162 | $545 | $1,559 | $2,849 | $4,597 |
Rothsay | $403 | $1,133 | $1,933 | $2,809 | $3,690 |
Sebeka | $530 | $992 | $1,398 | $1,982 | $2,659 |
Underwood | $225 | $644 | $1,382 | $2,346 | $3,220 |
Vergas | $251 | $950 | $1,912 | $3,125 | $4,363 |
Vining | $232 | $754 | $1,522 | $2,338 | $3,355 |
Wadena | $438 | $998 | $1,522 | $2,179 | $2,920 |
Wendell | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell