Dawson County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Dawson County is 1.81%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Nebraska state median of 1.75%. With the median home value in Dawson County, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $1,900, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Dawson County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Dawson County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Lexington or another part of Dawson County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Dawson County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.81%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,830
Ownwell’s Dawson County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Dawson County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Dawson County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Dawson County, Nebraska
Property taxes in Dawson County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Dawson County is 1.81%, which is significantly higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Dawson County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Dawson County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Dawson County's effective property tax rate with other areas and the national median. For comparison, the city of Cozad has one of the higher property tax rates in the region at 2.26%, while the city of Johnson Lake boasts one of the lowest at 1.22%. Analyzing how Dawson County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Dawson County Tax Rate
1.81%
Average Nebraska Tax Rate
1.75%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Dawson County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozad | 1.61% | 1.68% | 2.26% | 2.26% | 2.26% |
| Eddyville | 1.41% | 1.42% | 1.74% | 1.74% | 1.74% |
| Elm Creek | 1.35% | 1.35% | 1.37% | 1.53% | 1.55% |
| Elwood | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% |
| Eustis | 1.21% | 1.21% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.69% |
| Farnam | 1.19% | 1.49% | 1.69% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
| Gothenburg | 1.49% | 1.94% | 1.94% | 1.94% | 1.94% |
| Johnson Lake | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% | 1.22% |
| Lexington | 1.43% | 1.81% | 1.81% | 1.81% | 1.81% |
| Miller | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% |
| Oconto | 1.20% | 1.34% | 1.41% | 1.41% | 1.42% |
| Overton | 1.34% | 1.36% | 2.10% | 2.10% | 2.10% |
| Sumner | 1.41% | 1.42% | 1.91% | 1.91% | 1.91% |
| Willow Island | 1.53% | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.85% | 1.85% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dawson County, Nebraska
In Dawson County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Dawson County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Dawson County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. For instance, Oconto has the highest median tax bill at $7,074, while Farnam has the lowest at $732. Being aware of these valuation processes in Dawson County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Dawson County Assessed Value
$101,091
Average Nebraska Assessed Value
$182,439
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dawson County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozad | $19,072 | $43,904 | $84,834 | $141,015 | $249,884 |
| Eddyville | $7,328 | $23,790 | $88,155 | $270,435 | $518,221 |
| Elm Creek | $112,972 | $183,930 | $319,544 | $539,884 | $850,620 |
| Elwood | $146,218 | $226,800 | $305,528 | $415,147 | $548,685 |
| Eustis | $190,939 | $230,824 | $363,459 | $530,928 | $838,279 |
| Farnam | $10,454 | $21,416 | $51,098 | $104,670 | $279,863 |
| Gothenburg | $39,235 | $71,423 | $115,922 | $184,183 | $293,170 |
| Johnson Lake | $159,648 | $226,258 | $302,474 | $394,927 | $486,324 |
| Lexington | $8,223 | $52,447 | $98,720 | $152,364 | $217,322 |
| Miller | $349,110 | $349,110 | $349,110 | $349,110 | $349,110 |
| Oconto | $361,062 | $397,782 | $540,382 | $675,138 | $697,740 |
| Overton | $9,772 | $40,210 | $94,248 | $176,408 | $350,487 |
| Sumner | $8,880 | $37,180 | $81,177 | $181,176 | $569,280 |
| Willow Island | $42,240 | $53,092 | $105,210 | $145,292 | $304,823 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dawson County, Nebraska
In Dawson County, NE, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. The median home price in Dawson County is $101,091. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to calculate the annual tax bill. Several factors influence the final tax bill, including the property's location and any applicable exemptions. Homeowners in Dawson County experience a range of tax bills. At the 25th percentile, the tax bill is approximately $981, while at the 75th percentile, it rises to about $3,054. For those at the 90th percentile, the tax bill can reach up to $4,826. Comparatively, the national median property tax rate is 0.99%, making Dawson County's tax rates relatively moderate. The impact on homeowners can vary significantly. For instance, in Oconto, the highest median tax bill is $7,074, while in Farnam, the lowest median tax bill is $732. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax assessments and potential exemptions to manage property tax obligations effectively.
Average Dawson County Tax Bill
$1,900
Average Nebraska Tax Bill
$3,071
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Dawson County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozad | $315 | $851 | $1,804 | $2,892 | $4,600 |
| Eddyville | $113 | $407 | $1,573 | $3,877 | $7,370 |
| Elm Creek | $1,676 | $2,506 | $4,490 | $7,288 | $12,611 |
| Elwood | $1,758 | $2,769 | $3,865 | $5,134 | $6,705 |
| Eustis | $2,379 | $3,331 | $4,728 | $6,582 | $10,423 |
| Farnam | $141 | $316 | $732 | $1,916 | $3,764 |
| Gothenburg | $581 | $1,265 | $2,156 | $3,421 | $5,473 |
| Johnson Lake | $1,902 | $2,766 | $3,693 | $4,817 | $5,961 |
| Lexington | $153 | $938 | $1,719 | $2,652 | $3,673 |
| Miller | $4,960 | $4,960 | $4,960 | $4,960 | $4,960 |
| Oconto | $4,691 | $4,758 | $7,074 | $9,529 | $9,845 |
| Overton | $137 | $729 | $1,695 | $2,740 | $5,140 |
| Sumner | $145 | $645 | $1,550 | $2,636 | $8,207 |
| Willow Island | $483 | $764 | $1,815 | $2,138 | $4,657 |
Source: Ownwell