Washington County, Minnesota Property Taxes

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

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

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.12%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,212

$3,909

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

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.

Property Tax Rates Across Washington County, Minnesota

Source: Ownwell

0.79%

1.09%

1.38%

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%

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%
Chisago City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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%
Lakeland Shores	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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%
West Lakeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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%

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
Chisago City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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
Lakeland Shores	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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
West Lakeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Minnesota

In Washington County, MN, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual tax bill. With a median home price of $376,100, homeowners can expect varying tax bills depending on their property's value and location within the county. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $3,136, while the 75th percentile reaches $5,472, illustrating the range of tax liabilities. Homeowners in Afton face the highest median tax bill at $5,542, significantly above the national median of $2,400. Conversely, those in Landfall Village enjoy the lowest median tax bill of just $177. These variations highlight the impact of local assessments and tax rates on homeowners' financial responsibilities. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners to anticipate their tax obligations and manage their finances effectively.

Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Minnesota

Source: Ownwell

$177

$2,914

$5,650

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
Chisago City	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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
Lakeland Shores	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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
West Lakeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
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

Source: Ownwell