Columbia County, Oregon Property Taxes

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

Median Columbia County effective property tax rate: 0.75%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Columbia County home value: $443,380
Median annual Columbia County tax bill: $3,263, $863 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Columbia County calculated?

Property taxes in Columbia 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 St. Helens or another part of Columbia County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Columbia County, Oregon Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.75%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,325

$3,086

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

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Oregon

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can significantly differ within a state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates its budgetary needs to fund local services and divides this by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. The result is the property tax rate. While the process involves votes and legal regulations, this is essentially how rates are determined each year.

In Columbia County, Oregon, the effective property tax rate stands at 0.75%, which is notably lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This makes it an attractive option for property owners seeking lower tax liabilities. Within Oregon, Columbia City has the highest median tax rate at 0.84%, while Portland boasts the lowest at 0.41%. By comparing these rates, property owners can better understand how Columbia County's rate stacks up against other regions, potentially influencing their decisions on property investments.

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Oregon

Source: Ownwell

0.41%

0.63%

0.84%

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 Columbia County Tax Rate

0.75%

Median Effective Oregon Tax Rate

0.86%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Oregon

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clatskanie	0.45%	0.55%	0.65%	0.79%	0.91%
Columbia City	0.73%	0.79%	0.84%	0.89%	0.96%
Deer Island	0.35%	0.47%	0.62%	0.75%	0.83%
Portland	0.19%	0.31%	0.41%	0.50%	0.75%
Rainier	0.42%	0.52%	0.62%	0.81%	0.98%
Saint Helens	0.60%	0.69%	0.76%	0.80%	0.86%
Scappoose	0.58%	0.71%	0.83%	0.91%	0.95%
St Helens	0.51%	0.61%	0.71%	0.83%	0.91%
Vernonia	0.56%	0.66%	0.77%	0.87%	0.96%
Warren	0.54%	0.62%	0.70%	0.76%	0.81%
Birkenfeld	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mist	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prescott	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon

When examining property taxes in Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County.

For example, the median tax bill in Columbia County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Portland has the highest median home price at $1,500,820.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon

Source: Ownwell

$382,860

$941,840

$1,500,820

Median Columbia County Market Value

$443,380

Median Oregon Market Value

$438,140

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Oregon

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clatskanie	$229,562	$300,950	$407,495	$547,268	$689,865
Columbia City	$306,618	$409,525	$472,830	$593,542	$775,993
Deer Island	$289,308	$398,440	$532,220	$677,080	$869,620
Portland	$468,820	$720,100	$1,500,820	$1,700,218	$2,087,440
Rainier	$220,790	$317,785	$442,250	$587,685	$750,940
Saint Helens	$274,360	$325,240	$427,940	$529,280	$689,320
Scappoose	$334,664	$426,895	$499,560	$626,310	$823,184
St Helens	$300,606	$322,300	$393,900	$617,640	$794,474
Vernonia	$206,738	$272,490	$382,860	$522,840	$717,182
Warren	$412,550	$499,240	$650,080	$809,170	$966,180
Birkenfeld	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mist	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prescott	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Oregon

In Columbia County, Oregon, property tax bills are determined by assessing the property's market value and applying the local tax rate. This process involves evaluating the property's market value, which in Columbia County is around $443,380. Homeowners can expect a median property tax bill that varies significantly depending on the property's value and specific location within the county. For instance, tax bills range from the 25th percentile at $2,219 to the 90th percentile at $5,395. The highest median tax bill in the county is found in Warren, at $4,493, while Clatskanie has the lowest median tax bill at $2,701. These figures are influenced by local government budgets and the services they fund, such as schools and public safety. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Columbia County's tax bills can be higher, affecting homeowners' annual expenses and potentially influencing their decisions about property investments and homeownership in the area.

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Oregon

Source: Ownwell

$2,701

$3,597

$4,493

Median Columbia County Tax Bill

$3,263

Median Oregon Tax Bill

$3,628

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Oregon

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Clatskanie	$1,332	$1,946	$2,701	$3,640	$4,702
Columbia City	$2,609	$3,365	$4,001	$4,905	$6,390
Deer Island	$1,450	$2,127	$3,110	$4,314	$5,425
Portland	$2,259	$3,015	$4,014	$6,557	$7,590
Rainier	$1,353	$2,029	$2,825	$3,726	$4,694
Saint Helens	$1,899	$2,406	$3,226	$4,081	$5,106
Scappoose	$2,579	$3,376	$4,090	$4,914	$6,078
St Helens	$1,449	$1,907	$3,133	$4,732	$6,447
Vernonia	$1,442	$2,106	$2,956	$3,953	$5,008
Warren	$2,605	$3,292	$4,493	$5,667	$6,892
Birkenfeld	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mist	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prescott	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell