Stearns County, Minnesota Property Taxes

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

Median Stearns County effective property tax rate: 1.08%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Stearns County home value: $269,100
Median annual Stearns County tax bill: $2,818, $418 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Stearns County calculated?

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

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Stearns County, Minnesota Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.08%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$2,906

$2,697

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

Property Tax Rates Across Stearns County, Minnesota

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This is because every year, 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. Though votes and laws are involved in setting tax rates and budgets, this is the annual process in a nutshell.

Below, you can compare Stearns County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Minnesota or the U.S. median property tax rate. Stearns County has a median tax rate of 1.08%, slightly above the national median of 1.02%. Within Minnesota, Waite Park boasts the highest median tax rate at 1.41%, while Villard offers a more favorable rate at 0.57%. This variation underscores the importance of understanding local tax dynamics, as they can significantly impact property expenses. Whether you're a property owner or prospective buyer, staying informed about these differences can lead to substantial savings.

Property Tax Rates Across Stearns County, Minnesota

Source: Ownwell

0.57%

0.99%

1.41%

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 Stearns County Tax Rate

1.08%

Median Effective Minnesota Tax Rate

1.11%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Stearns County, Minnesota

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albany	0.42%	0.77%	1.08%	1.24%	1.33%
Avon	0.49%	0.86%	0.94%	1.17%	1.37%
Belgrade	0.28%	0.44%	0.85%	1.17%	1.34%
Bowlus	0.25%	0.39%	0.59%	0.83%	0.87%
Brooten	0.46%	0.85%	1.15%	1.36%	1.50%
Clearwater	0.53%	0.78%	0.83%	0.87%	0.92%
Cold Spring	0.84%	0.91%	0.98%	1.08%	1.13%
Eden Valley	0.42%	0.79%	0.85%	1.32%	1.52%
Elrosa	0.72%	0.80%	0.86%	0.92%	0.97%
Freeport	0.31%	0.45%	0.81%	1.15%	1.24%
Greenwald	0.67%	0.73%	0.80%	0.89%	0.92%
Grey Eagle	0.70%	0.72%	0.76%	0.83%	0.88%
Holdingford	0.43%	0.76%	0.96%	1.05%	1.12%
Kimball	0.44%	0.82%	0.92%	1.12%	1.39%
Melrose	0.34%	0.71%	0.84%	0.99%	1.06%
New Munich	0.73%	0.86%	0.96%	1.02%	1.10%
Osakis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Paynesville	0.48%	0.81%	0.89%	1.12%	1.22%
Rice	0.53%	0.86%	0.95%	1.01%	1.06%
Richmond	0.57%	0.82%	0.86%	1.00%	1.15%
Rockville	0.83%	0.89%	0.93%	0.94%	0.97%
Roscoe	0.89%	0.95%	1.03%	1.33%	1.53%
Saint Augusta	0.67%	0.82%	0.86%	0.89%	0.93%
Saint Cloud	0.95%	1.07%	1.14%	1.22%	1.30%
Saint Joseph	0.69%	0.84%	1.08%	1.22%	1.29%
Saint Martin	0.97%	1.18%	1.32%	1.38%	1.49%
Saint Stephen	0.92%	1.09%	1.13%	1.15%	1.18%
Sartell	0.98%	1.18%	1.23%	1.27%	1.29%
Sauk Centre	0.48%	1.00%	1.22%	1.35%	1.46%
South Haven	0.55%	0.79%	0.89%	0.94%	1.03%
Villard	0.21%	0.29%	0.57%	0.85%	0.98%
Waite Park	1.14%	1.31%	1.41%	1.51%	1.59%
Watkins	0.37%	0.45%	0.70%	0.92%	0.98%
West Union	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stearns County, Minnesota

When examining property taxes in Stearns 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 Stearns 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 Stearns 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 Stearns County. For example, the median tax bill in Stearns County is $2,978, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Villard has the highest median home price at $494,100.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stearns County, Minnesota

Source: Ownwell

$142,600

$318,350

$494,100

Median Stearns County Market Value

$269,100

Median Minnesota Market Value

$290,400

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stearns County, Minnesota

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albany	$160,760	$215,800	$298,900	$463,550	$730,900
Avon	$169,550	$247,675	$334,400	$459,400	$630,600
Belgrade	$77,380	$126,750	$225,500	$450,500	$1,160,140
Bowlus	$200,280	$316,150	$402,850	$569,425	$704,000
Brooten	$49,240	$96,400	$159,700	$266,100	$477,980
Clearwater	$174,460	$289,225	$377,350	$513,475	$713,550
Cold Spring	$169,240	$225,350	$313,900	$436,700	$629,120
Eden Valley	$115,320	$185,400	$290,400	$435,500	$593,180
Elrosa	$45,200	$114,700	$157,900	$197,000	$290,900
Freeport	$150,760	$223,500	$317,400	$527,500	$964,280
Greenwald	$69,740	$103,950	$142,600	$178,300	$228,380
Grey Eagle	$278,900	$368,400	$431,250	$567,450	$772,930
Holdingford	$134,530	$184,225	$304,050	$467,175	$601,190
Kimball	$139,940	$213,225	$298,850	$448,625	$614,300
Melrose	$121,100	$167,425	$255,050	$396,925	$669,650
New Munich	$48,860	$107,600	$152,900	$210,700	$279,640
Osakis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Paynesville	$112,600	$171,000	$268,800	$432,450	$654,300
Rice	$227,450	$279,850	$393,950	$548,150	$694,050
Richmond	$116,080	$194,950	$301,300	$449,100	$617,340
Rockville	$151,940	$177,900	$221,000	$276,075	$301,240
Roscoe	$93,250	$117,250	$154,200	$192,575	$258,150
Saint Augusta	$222,940	$267,100	$330,300	$428,650	$609,280
Saint Cloud	$143,500	$170,775	$224,250	$297,125	$401,470
Saint Joseph	$179,850	$225,300	$284,900	$404,975	$584,350
Saint Martin	$112,100	$145,600	$192,900	$251,600	$309,220
Saint Stephen	$170,720	$224,225	$267,100	$327,825	$481,100
Sartell	$225,760	$261,000	$313,400	$428,650	$576,620
Sauk Centre	$118,220	$174,250	$251,100	$369,900	$573,940
South Haven	$161,250	$238,225	$344,600	$479,425	$638,500
Villard	$150,370	$192,625	$494,100	$1,128,775	$1,294,180
Waite Park	$115,640	$150,550	$205,800	$259,500	$309,180
Watkins	$187,260	$289,750	$441,300	$702,350	$1,047,780
West Union	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Stearns County, Minnesota

In Stearns County, MN, property tax bills are determined by assessing the market value of a home and applying the local tax rate. The median home price in the county is $269,100, which influences the tax bill homeowners receive. The tax bill varies significantly, with the 25th percentile at $1,978 and the 75th percentile reaching $3,850. For those in the 90th percentile, the bill climbs to $5,176, indicating how property value and location can impact the tax burden. The city of Sartell experiences the highest median tax bill at $3,744, while Greenwald has the lowest at $1,156. This variation highlights the role of local government decisions and services funded by property taxes. Homeowners in Stearns County pay a tax rate that is reflective of the services provided, such as education, infrastructure, and public safety. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and a median bill of $2,400, Stearns County's tax bills can be higher or lower depending on specific city assessments.

Property Tax Bills Across Stearns County, Minnesota

Source: Ownwell

$1,156

$2,450

$3,744

Median Stearns County Tax Bill

$2,818

Median Minnesota Tax Bill

$3,182

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Stearns County, Minnesota

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Albany	$1,621	$2,312	$3,055	$4,086	$5,294
Avon	$1,466	$2,278	$3,208	$4,267	$5,516
Belgrade	$702	$1,181	$1,896	$2,958	$4,258
Bowlus	$1,193	$1,546	$2,475	$3,426	$4,588
Brooten	$461	$1,034	$1,769	$2,764	$4,223
Clearwater	$1,136	$2,164	$2,944	$3,986	$5,594
Cold Spring	$1,670	$2,316	$3,059	$4,218	$5,772
Eden Valley	$842	$1,819	$2,650	$3,582	$4,516
Elrosa	$434	$966	$1,407	$1,770	$2,609
Freeport	$1,180	$1,850	$2,654	$3,526	$4,502
Greenwald	$426	$789	$1,156	$1,373	$1,896
Grey Eagle	$1,877	$2,590	$3,336	$4,205	$6,314
Holdingford	$1,130	$1,668	$2,534	$3,490	$4,560
Kimball	$1,048	$2,006	$2,872	$3,792	$4,778
Melrose	$939	$1,406	$2,120	$3,021	$3,925
New Munich	$404	$883	$1,388	$2,013	$2,859
Osakis	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Paynesville	$1,047	$1,704	$2,471	$3,508	$4,881
Rice	$1,790	$2,550	$3,480	$4,760	$6,146
Richmond	$934	$1,766	$2,678	$3,743	$4,936
Rockville	$1,110	$1,610	$2,046	$2,588	$2,852
Roscoe	$900	$1,262	$1,704	$2,263	$2,709
Saint Augusta	$1,722	$2,132	$2,752	$3,632	$4,914
Saint Cloud	$1,458	$1,888	$2,528	$3,486	$4,727
Saint Joseph	$1,680	$2,280	$2,968	$3,894	$5,038
Saint Martin	$1,008	$1,656	$2,540	$3,488	$4,180
Saint Stephen	$1,640	$2,382	$2,924	$3,546	$4,609
Sartell	$2,450	$3,076	$3,744	$5,143	$6,801
Sauk Centre	$1,280	$1,980	$2,896	$4,056	$5,401
South Haven	$1,025	$1,950	$2,852	$4,008	$5,386
Villard	$547	$1,192	$3,121	$3,988	$4,871
Waite Park	$1,387	$1,964	$2,788	$3,796	$4,594
Watkins	$1,329	$2,106	$2,999	$4,130	$5,188
West Union	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell