Washington County, Minnesota Property Taxes
Median Washington County effective property tax rate: 1.12%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Washington County home value: $376,100
Median annual Washington County tax bill: $4,148, $1,748 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Washington County calculated?
Property taxes in Washington 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 Stillwater or another part of Washington County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Washington County, Minnesota Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.12%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$4,212
$3,909
Property Tax Rates Across Washington County, Minnesota
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. 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. While votes and laws are involved in setting tax rates and budgets, this is the annual process in a nutshell.
In Washington County, Minnesota, the effective property tax rate is 1.12%, which is slightly above the national median of 1.02%. Within the county, rates can vary significantly. For instance, Newport has the highest median tax rate at 1.38%, whereas Hastings boasts the lowest at 0.79%. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics, as they can have a significant impact on property tax bills.
Comparing Washington County's rate to the U.S. median property tax rate can provide valuable insights for property owners looking to manage their tax liabilities effectively. While the national median property tax bill is $2400, local variations can lead to different financial obligations. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about property investments and management.
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 Washington County Tax Rate
1.12%
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 Washington County, Minnesota
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afton | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.92% | 0.95% | 1.01% |
| Bayport | 0.82% | 0.83% | 0.86% | 0.87% | 0.90% |
| Cottage Grove | 1.18% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.24% | 1.28% |
| Forest Lake | 0.94% | 0.98% | 1.00% | 1.02% | 1.09% |
| Hastings | 0.76% | 0.76% | 0.79% | 0.82% | 0.99% |
| Hugo | 0.97% | 1.09% | 1.14% | 1.15% | 1.19% |
| Lake Elmo | 0.84% | 0.86% | 0.90% | 0.99% | 1.07% |
| Lakeland | 0.79% | 0.83% | 0.84% | 0.88% | 0.91% |
| Landfall Village | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| Mahtomedi | 0.87% | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.16% | 1.20% |
| Marine On Saint Croix | 0.74% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 1.04% | 1.09% |
| Newport | 1.31% | 1.34% | 1.38% | 1.43% | 1.58% |
| Oakdale | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.09% | 1.12% | 1.13% |
| Saint Paul | 0.95% | 1.08% | 1.16% | 1.20% | 1.24% |
| Saint Paul Park | 1.17% | 1.21% | 1.23% | 1.25% | 1.28% |
| Scandia | 0.87% | 0.89% | 0.91% | 0.93% | 0.98% |
| Stillwater | 0.73% | 0.81% | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.17% |
| White Bear Lake | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.03% |
| Willernie | 1.12% | 1.15% | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| Woodbury | 1.16% | 1.17% | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.41% |
| Chisago City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lakeland Shores | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Lakeland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Minnesota
When examining property taxes in Washington 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 Washington County Assessor 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 Washington 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 Washington County.
For example, the median tax bill in Washington County is $3,136, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Afton has the highest median home price at $595,600.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Minnesota
Source: Ownwell
$12,550
$304,075
$595,600
Median Washington County Market Value
$376,100
Median Minnesota Market Value
$290,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Minnesota
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afton | $380,580 | $468,550 | $595,600 | $749,050 | $987,360 |
| Bayport | $246,380 | $275,400 | $336,400 | $493,850 | $567,940 |
| Cottage Grove | $238,100 | $282,700 | $325,300 | $409,400 | $500,310 |
| Forest Lake | $216,900 | $267,000 | $351,700 | $463,800 | $607,880 |
| Hastings | $377,730 | $453,550 | $581,000 | $695,950 | $874,250 |
| Hugo | $219,000 | $258,400 | $365,200 | $481,500 | $580,400 |
| Lake Elmo | $68,400 | $392,225 | $532,750 | $643,250 | $821,950 |
| Lakeland | $239,680 | $290,300 | $342,800 | $408,350 | $579,800 |
| Landfall Village | $1,410 | $1,650 | $12,550 | $32,050 | $41,200 |
| Mahtomedi | $348,920 | $395,800 | $457,000 | $553,050 | $638,880 |
| Marine On Saint Croix | $332,590 | $419,925 | $528,150 | $688,950 | $859,140 |
| Newport | $205,620 | $239,500 | $284,450 | $400,600 | $538,480 |
| Oakdale | $6,000 | $90,525 | $253,900 | $276,925 | $285,750 |
| Saint Paul | $213,500 | $278,925 | $380,500 | $493,275 | $609,700 |
| Saint Paul Park | $190,700 | $238,100 | $265,400 | $305,500 | $344,300 |
| Scandia | $311,000 | $366,100 | $444,500 | $548,400 | $666,040 |
| Stillwater | $249,200 | $320,150 | $434,400 | $590,500 | $779,660 |
| White Bear Lake | $271,100 | $388,600 | $437,800 | $505,125 | $543,750 |
| Willernie | $30,920 | $208,500 | $250,550 | $292,675 | $351,430 |
| Woodbury | $6,000 | $6,000 | $299,800 | $313,300 | $341,900 |
| Chisago City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lakeland Shores | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Lakeland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Minnesota
Median Washington County Tax Bill
$4,148
Median Minnesota Tax Bill
$3,182
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Minnesota
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afton | $3,406 | $4,228 | $5,542 | $7,167 | $9,544 |
| Bayport | $2,067 | $2,315 | $2,880 | $4,262 | $4,989 |
| Cottage Grove | $2,828 | $3,414 | $4,020 | $5,083 | $6,174 |
| Forest Lake | $2,114 | $2,660 | $3,586 | $4,724 | $6,463 |
| Hastings | $3,214 | $3,855 | $4,641 | $5,623 | $7,335 |
| Hugo | $2,412 | $2,890 | $4,034 | $5,292 | $6,574 |
| Lake Elmo | $2,773 | $4,120 | $5,028 | $6,250 | $8,324 |
| Lakeland | $1,970 | $2,439 | $2,864 | $3,481 | $5,189 |
| Landfall Village | $176 | $176 | $177 | $178 | $178 |
| Mahtomedi | $3,915 | $4,312 | $5,054 | $5,819 | $6,786 |
| Marine On Saint Croix | $2,970 | $3,694 | $4,794 | $6,642 | $8,494 |
| Newport | $2,720 | $3,283 | $4,033 | $5,694 | $7,590 |
| Oakdale | $67 | $1,029 | $2,727 | $3,006 | $3,155 |
| Saint Paul | $2,316 | $3,118 | $4,294 | $5,674 | $7,228 |
| Saint Paul Park | $2,507 | $2,934 | $3,312 | $3,806 | $4,355 |
| Scandia | $2,760 | $3,282 | $4,026 | $5,010 | $6,393 |
| Stillwater | $2,560 | $3,264 | $4,224 | $5,530 | $7,266 |
| White Bear Lake | $2,726 | $3,884 | $4,397 | $5,083 | $5,550 |
| Willernie | $372 | $2,366 | $2,914 | $3,460 | $4,265 |
| Woodbury | $72 | $72 | $3,524 | $3,897 | $4,218 |
| Chisago City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lakeland Shores | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| West Lakeland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell