Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington Property Taxes
Median Bellingham, WA effective property tax rate: 0.89%, slightly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but higher than the Washington state median of 0.88%.
Median Bellingham, WA home value: $569,600
Median annual Bellingham, WA tax bill: $4,853, $2,453 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Skagit calculated?
Property taxes in Bellingham, WA 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 Bellingham’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bellingham, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.89%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,069
$4,704
$1,102
Average Tax Savings
Property Tax Rates Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. The annual process involves each county estimating its required budget to provide services and dividing that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Bellingham’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Washington and the median property tax rates in Washington and the U.S. Bellingham, located in Whatcom County, has a median property tax rate of 0.89%, which is below the national median of 1.02%. This rate is consistent across the city, as seen in the zip code 98229, which holds both the highest and lowest median tax rate in the area. Washington’s overall property tax rate is generally lower than the national average, making it an appealing location for property owners looking to reduce their tax burden compared to other states.
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 Bellingham Tax Rate
0.89%
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 Skagit County Tax Rate
0.86%
Median Effective Washington Tax Rate
0.88%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
98226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
98229 | 0.83% | 0.87% | 0.89% | 0.90% | 0.92% |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Bellingham Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
When examining property taxes in Bellingham, WA, 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 Skagit County Assessor's Office 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.
In Skagit County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. 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 Bellingham.
For example, the median home price in Bellingham is $569,600, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The zip code 98229 has the highest median home price at $569,200.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Source: Ownwell

$126,700
$403,750
$680,800
Median Bellingham Market Value
$569,600
Median Skagit County Market Value
$473,200
Median Washington Market Value
$482,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
98226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
98229 | $279,900 | $395,700 | $569,200 | $751,600 | $1,023,600 |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Bellingham Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Median Bellingham Tax Bill
$4,853
Median Skagit County Tax Bill
$4,058
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,284
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Bellingham, Skagit County, Washington
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
98226 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
98229 | $1,716 | $3,201 | $4,851 | $6,549 | $8,615 |
Source: Ownwell
$1,102
Average Bellingham Tax Savings
Save on your property taxes & more with Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
---|---|
Appeal Deadline | October 31 |
Tax Bill | |
Issued | February 10 |
Due Date #1 | April 30 |
Due Date #2 | October 31 |
Links | |
---|---|
Skagit Tax Assessor | |
Website | skagitcounty.net |
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