Columbia County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Columbia County is 1.43%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 0.99% but slightly lower than the Wisconsin state median of 1.58%. With a median home value of $201,380 in Columbia County, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $2,882, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Columbia County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which often falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Columbia County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you reside in Portage or another part of Columbia County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Columbia County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.43%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,880
$2,672
Ownwell’s Columbia County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Columbia County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Columbia 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 Columbia County, Wisconsin
Property taxes in Columbia County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Columbia County is 1.43%, which is higher than both the Wisconsin state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Columbia County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Columbia 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 Columbia County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Wisconsin and the national median. For comparison, the city of Randolph has one of the higher property tax rates in Wisconsin at 1.93%, while the city of Doylestown boasts one of the lowest at 0.99%. Analyzing how Columbia County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Columbia County Tax Rate
1.43%
Average Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.58%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 1.45% | 1.50% | 1.59% | 1.67% | 1.69% |
| Cambria | 1.18% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.75% | 2.09% |
| Columbus | 1.47% | 1.74% | 1.79% | 1.80% | 1.92% |
| Doylestown | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% |
| Fall River | 1.29% | 1.30% | 1.39% | 1.42% | 1.42% |
| Friesland | 1.77% | 1.77% | 1.77% | 1.77% | 1.77% |
| Lodi | 1.31% | 1.35% | 1.40% | 1.77% | 1.85% |
| Merrimac | 1.07% | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.26% | 1.27% |
| Pardeeville | 0.90% | 0.97% | 1.13% | 1.47% | 1.54% |
| Portage | 0.76% | 0.85% | 1.02% | 1.72% | 1.77% |
| Poynette | 1.33% | 1.37% | 1.49% | 1.80% | 1.85% |
| Prairie Du Sac | 1.20% | 1.20% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 1.26% |
| Randolph | 1.31% | 1.69% | 1.93% | 2.15% | 2.16% |
| Rio | 1.21% | 1.31% | 1.34% | 1.56% | 1.81% |
| Wisconsin Dells | 1.31% | 1.60% | 1.84% | 1.85% | 1.85% |
| Wyocena | 1.40% | 1.53% | 1.54% | 1.54% | 1.55% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
In Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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. Being aware of these valuation processes in Columbia County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. Lodi has the highest median tax bill at $4,889, while Doylestown enjoys the lowest at $198.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$20,031
$182,491
$344,951
Average Columbia County Assessed Value
$201,380
Average Wisconsin Assessed Value
$200,300
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $154,934 | $185,774 | $203,259 | $252,433 | $355,117 |
| Cambria | $96,190 | $109,518 | $134,535 | $169,531 | $261,968 |
| Columbus | $110,695 | $138,930 | $201,667 | $289,854 | $322,940 |
| Doylestown | $20,031 | $20,031 | $20,031 | $20,031 | $20,031 |
| Fall River | $142,794 | $151,602 | $151,850 | $166,898 | $229,764 |
| Friesland | $150,644 | $150,644 | $150,644 | $150,644 | $150,644 |
| Lodi | $186,215 | $228,408 | $342,208 | $468,474 | $664,998 |
| Merrimac | $106,159 | $138,300 | $183,562 | $327,662 | $476,392 |
| Pardeeville | $84,844 | $151,454 | $213,315 | $311,820 | $402,512 |
| Portage | $93,906 | $126,342 | $163,496 | $261,676 | $343,516 |
| Poynette | $77,834 | $140,759 | $210,332 | $374,669 | $512,996 |
| Prairie Du Sac | $233,276 | $282,555 | $344,951 | $364,200 | $552,668 |
| Randolph | $87,308 | $103,317 | $127,755 | $137,453 | $176,490 |
| Rio | $61,621 | $144,084 | $187,611 | $269,571 | $516,037 |
| Wisconsin Dells | $21,765 | $134,111 | $204,176 | $242,694 | $298,376 |
| Wyocena | $58,462 | $111,786 | $133,362 | $140,451 | $166,528 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
In Columbia County, WI, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is an estimate of the property's market value, which is periodically evaluated by local assessors. Various factors such as property size, location, and improvements can influence this assessed value. Once the assessed value is established, it is multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual tax bill. For homeowners in Columbia County, the median home price is $201,380, and the property tax rate can significantly impact their financial obligations. For instance, tax bills in the 25th percentile are around $1,928, while those in the 75th percentile can reach up to $4,519. Even higher, the 90th percentile tax bills can soar to $6,262. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local property assessments and tax rates, as they can differ greatly even within the same county. Homeowners in cities like Lodi face the highest median tax bill at $4,889, whereas those in Doylestown experience the lowest at just $198.
Average Columbia County Tax Bill
$2,882
Average Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,346
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $2,451 | $3,072 | $3,131 | $3,748 | $5,769 |
| Cambria | $1,014 | $1,732 | $2,082 | $2,461 | $4,064 |
| Columbus | $1,783 | $2,519 | $3,338 | $5,256 | $5,740 |
| Doylestown | $198 | $198 | $198 | $198 | $198 |
| Fall River | $1,879 | $1,968 | $2,160 | $2,229 | $3,107 |
| Friesland | $2,661 | $2,661 | $2,661 | $2,661 | $2,661 |
| Lodi | $2,831 | $3,796 | $4,889 | $6,713 | $9,362 |
| Merrimac | $1,157 | $1,528 | $2,216 | $4,089 | $6,054 |
| Pardeeville | $1,243 | $1,887 | $2,578 | $3,326 | $4,051 |
| Portage | $943 | $1,166 | $2,186 | $3,061 | $4,562 |
| Poynette | $1,108 | $2,087 | $3,347 | $6,122 | $7,420 |
| Prairie Du Sac | $2,934 | $3,509 | $4,147 | $4,480 | $6,787 |
| Randolph | $1,740 | $2,158 | $2,463 | $2,706 | $3,026 |
| Rio | $1,320 | $2,422 | $2,793 | $3,644 | $7,710 |
| Wisconsin Dells | $348 | $2,177 | $3,704 | $4,349 | $5,336 |
| Wyocena | $865 | $1,709 | $2,051 | $2,163 | $2,576 |
Source: Ownwell