Lake County, Montana Property Taxes
Median Lake County effective property tax rate: 0.67%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Lake County home value: $340,373
Median annual Lake County tax bill: $2,601, $201 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lake County calculated?
Property taxes in Lake 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 Polson or another part of Lake County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Lake County, Montana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.67%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,280
$2,116
Property Tax Rates Across Lake County, Montana
Local government entities are responsible for setting property tax rates, which can vary significantly within a state. Each year, counties estimate the budget they need to provide essential services and divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation determines the property tax rate for that year. Although the process involves voting and legislation, this is the basic annual procedure.
For property owners in Lake County, Montana, understanding how their property tax rate compares to others can be crucial. Lake County's effective property tax rate is 0.67%, which is lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Within Montana, Lake County's rate is neither the highest nor the lowest. For instance, Hot Springs has the highest median property tax rate in the state at 0.90%, while Lakeside enjoys the lowest rate at 0.50%. This comparison highlights the variability in tax burdens across the state and underscores the importance of being informed about local tax rates.
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 Lake County Tax Rate
0.67%
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 Lake County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlee | 0.70% | 0.77% | 0.82% | 0.88% | 1.05% |
| Big Arm | 0.60% | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.65% | 0.68% |
| Bigfork | 0.51% | 0.54% | 0.56% | 0.59% | 0.65% |
| Charlo | 0.66% | 0.74% | 0.81% | 1.06% | 1.60% |
| Dayton | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.51% | 0.57% | 0.65% |
| Elmo | 0.49% | 0.52% | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.72% |
| Hot Springs | 0.75% | 0.84% | 0.90% | 0.95% | 1.32% |
| Lakeside | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.50% | 0.52% | 0.56% |
| Pablo | 0.28% | 0.66% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.77% |
| Polson | 0.61% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 0.79% | 0.84% |
| Proctor | 0.51% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.60% | 0.69% |
| Ravalli | 0.61% | 0.76% | 0.80% | 0.86% | 0.89% |
| Rollins | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.50% | 0.53% | 0.56% |
| Ronan | 0.54% | 0.65% | 0.72% | 0.87% | 0.97% |
| Saint Ignatius | 0.72% | 0.76% | 0.82% | 0.89% | 1.27% |
| St Ignatius | 0.67% | 0.76% | 0.86% | 0.93% | 1.12% |
| Swan Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake County, Montana
When examining property taxes in Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. 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 Lake County.
For example, the median tax bill in Lake County is $3,047, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Lakeside has the highest median home price at $1,052,900.
Median Lake County Market Value
$340,373
Median Montana Market Value
$317,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlee | $8,200 | $80,600 | $215,788 | $364,589 | $468,714 |
| Big Arm | $70,336 | $333,300 | $622,700 | $910,550 | $1,178,542 |
| Bigfork | $118,975 | $330,270 | $502,200 | $839,025 | $1,373,550 |
| Charlo | $8,280 | $50,120 | $199,788 | $358,271 | $491,278 |
| Dayton | $107,978 | $298,976 | $592,600 | $1,134,450 | $1,396,940 |
| Elmo | $9,580 | $107,567 | $519,000 | $745,300 | $1,052,560 |
| Hot Springs | $8,640 | $85,173 | $166,423 | $246,832 | $320,219 |
| Lakeside | $344,118 | $676,409 | $1,052,900 | $1,326,145 | $1,730,300 |
| Pablo | $5,600 | $9,250 | $39,800 | $191,800 | $242,248 |
| Polson | $72,327 | $225,000 | $380,100 | $610,400 | $997,309 |
| Proctor | $97,502 | $236,240 | $404,200 | $574,554 | $772,225 |
| Ravalli | $3,720 | $7,150 | $71,466 | $209,650 | $310,958 |
| Rollins | $223,128 | $422,400 | $799,400 | $1,345,700 | $1,808,720 |
| Ronan | $8,355 | $95,425 | $241,900 | $349,441 | $486,684 |
| Saint Ignatius | $27,104 | $179,421 | $268,167 | $413,050 | $554,000 |
| St Ignatius | $6,920 | $13,300 | $83,520 | $253,237 | $436,000 |
| Swan Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Lake County, Montana
Median Lake County Tax Bill
$2,601
Median Montana Tax Bill
$2,646
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Lake County, Montana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlee | $331 | $1,395 | $2,426 | $3,323 | $4,251 |
| Big Arm | $1,394 | $2,494 | $4,036 | $5,690 | $7,539 |
| Bigfork | $1,011 | $1,972 | $2,855 | $4,625 | $7,688 |
| Charlo | $362 | $1,269 | $2,393 | $3,619 | $4,702 |
| Dayton | $832 | $1,752 | $3,177 | $5,616 | $6,800 |
| Elmo | $598 | $2,214 | $3,658 | $4,477 | $6,210 |
| Hot Springs | $572 | $1,212 | $1,615 | $2,342 | $4,645 |
| Lakeside | $1,943 | $2,931 | $5,040 | $6,522 | $8,449 |
| Pablo | $68 | $144 | $724 | $1,537 | $1,911 |
| Polson | $662 | $1,800 | $2,722 | $4,203 | $6,487 |
| Proctor | $1,188 | $1,791 | $2,490 | $3,248 | $4,244 |
| Ravalli | $210 | $838 | $1,392 | $2,068 | $2,585 |
| Rollins | $1,319 | $2,259 | $4,057 | $6,553 | $8,819 |
| Ronan | $294 | $1,268 | $2,076 | $2,853 | $3,967 |
| Saint Ignatius | $489 | $1,782 | $2,596 | $3,688 | $5,199 |
| St Ignatius | $219 | $535 | $1,887 | $2,841 | $4,660 |
| Swan Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell