Flathead County, Montana Property Taxes
Median Flathead County effective property tax rate: 0.75%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Flathead County home value: $447,500
Median annual Flathead County tax bill: $3,622, $1,222 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Flathead County calculated?
Property taxes in Flathead 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 Kalispell or another part of Flathead County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Flathead County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.75%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,356
$3,115
Property Tax Rates Across Flathead County, Montana
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each year, counties estimate their required budget for services and divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While this process involves votes and laws, it essentially boils down to this annual calculation.
In Flathead County, Montana, the effective property tax rate stands at 0.75%, which is below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This lower rate can result in significant savings for property owners in the area. For context, Kalispell in the same state has the highest median tax rate at 0.85%, while Essex boasts the lowest at 0.55%. Comparing these figures highlights the variability in property tax rates even within a single state.
By understanding these differences, property owners can make informed decisions about their investments and potential savings.
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 Flathead County Tax Rate
0.75%
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 Montana Tax Rate
0.83%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Columbia Falls | 0.64% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
| Coram | 0.66% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| Essex | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
| Hot Springs | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.68% | 0.69% |
| Hungry Horse | 0.81% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Kalispell | 0.68% | 0.75% | 0.85% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Kila | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.70% |
| Lakeside | 0.69% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% |
| Marion | 0.62% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% |
| Martin City | 0.79% | 0.81% | 0.81% | 1.02% | 1.02% |
| Olney | 0.57% | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.65% | 0.65% |
| Polebridge | 0.66% | 0.73% | 0.76% | 0.76% | 0.76% |
| Somers | 0.69% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.72% |
| West Glacier | 0.55% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
| Whitefish | 0.62% | 0.62% | 0.69% | 0.69% | 0.72% |
| Lake Mcdonald | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niarada | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
When examining property taxes in Flathead 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 Flathead County Department of Revenue 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 Flathead 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 Flathead County. For example, the median tax bill in Flathead County is $3,250, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Whitefish has the highest median home price at $653,122.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
Source: Ownwell
$167,185
$410,154
$653,122
Median Flathead County Market Value
$447,500
Median Montana Market Value
$317,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | $104,630 | $374,018 | $541,397 | $796,450 | $1,215,860 |
| Columbia Falls | $48,712 | $297,708 | $423,650 | $588,076 | $779,423 |
| Coram | $14,484 | $185,850 | $322,100 | $491,900 | $703,440 |
| Essex | $86,010 | $168,900 | $285,000 | $396,100 | $595,765 |
| Hot Springs | $237,444 | $244,759 | $301,628 | $359,854 | $407,907 |
| Hungry Horse | $10,364 | $34,800 | $167,185 | $308,275 | $449,400 |
| Kalispell | $60,802 | $292,300 | $400,400 | $547,000 | $753,040 |
| Kila | $66,940 | $261,002 | $411,750 | $601,750 | $793,872 |
| Lakeside | $242,732 | $409,200 | $553,100 | $948,250 | $1,538,808 |
| Marion | $38,000 | $262,306 | $455,800 | $629,238 | $1,003,000 |
| Martin City | $12,953 | $133,768 | $293,900 | $482,370 | $816,440 |
| Olney | $20,436 | $105,118 | $249,100 | $463,300 | $667,551 |
| Polebridge | $164,187 | $218,050 | $315,895 | $480,559 | $670,900 |
| Somers | $217,862 | $345,750 | $527,800 | $830,150 | $1,349,004 |
| West Glacier | $231,812 | $398,150 | $529,520 | $855,565 | $1,098,520 |
| Whitefish | $318,400 | $454,575 | $653,122 | $1,008,525 | $1,866,300 |
| Lake Mcdonald | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niarada | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Flathead County, Montana
Property tax bills in Flathead County, MT, are determined by assessing the property's market value and applying the local tax rate. In this region, the median home price is $447,500, which plays a crucial role in how tax bills are calculated. Homeowners in Flathead County experience a range of property tax bills, with the 25th percentile paying around $2,550, while those in the 75th percentile might see bills as high as $4,951. For those in the 90th percentile, tax bills can reach up to $7,095.
The city of Whitefish in Flathead County has the highest median tax bill at $4,297, reflecting its higher property values. Conversely, Hungry Horse has the lowest median tax bill at $1,505. These variations highlight how location and property value impact tax obligations. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and a median tax bill of $2,400, Flathead County's figures show a diverse range, affecting homeowners differently based on their specific circumstances and property values.
Median Flathead County Tax Bill
$3,622
Median Montana Tax Bill
$2,646
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Flathead County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | $815 | $2,525 | $3,718 | $5,345 | $8,046 |
| Columbia Falls | $517 | $2,527 | $3,574 | $4,677 | $6,147 |
| Coram | $325 | $1,459 | $2,483 | $3,854 | $5,836 |
| Essex | $622 | $969 | $1,584 | $2,225 | $3,294 |
| Hot Springs | $1,468 | $1,582 | $1,896 | $2,445 | $2,787 |
| Hungry Horse | $128 | $391 | $1,505 | $2,624 | $3,708 |
| Kalispell | $624 | $2,601 | $3,575 | $4,589 | $6,082 |
| Kila | $606 | $1,759 | $2,802 | $4,077 | $5,373 |
| Lakeside | $1,798 | $2,892 | $3,929 | $6,718 | $10,772 |
| Marion | $381 | $1,796 | $3,180 | $4,406 | $6,990 |
| Martin City | $288 | $1,686 | $2,703 | $4,623 | $7,185 |
| Olney | $126 | $617 | $1,546 | $2,912 | $4,172 |
| Polebridge | $1,197 | $1,612 | $2,371 | $3,492 | $5,180 |
| Somers | $1,522 | $2,442 | $3,735 | $5,823 | $9,381 |
| West Glacier | $1,420 | $2,304 | $3,038 | $4,869 | $6,371 |
| Whitefish | $2,075 | $3,021 | $4,297 | $6,604 | $11,949 |
| Lake Mcdonald | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Niarada | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell