Washburn County, Wisconsin Property Taxes

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

Median Washburn County effective property tax rate: 1.18%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Washburn County home value: $126,300
Median annual Washburn County tax bill: $1,472, $928 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Washburn County calculated?

Property taxes in Washburn 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 a city within Washburn County or another part of the county, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Washburn County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.18%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,490

$1,383

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

Property Tax Rates Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, which can vary significantly within Wisconsin. Each year, counties estimate the budget required to provide essential services and divide that by the total assessed value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This process determines the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual procedure. In Washburn County, the effective property tax rate is 1.18%, which is higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Comparatively, Shell Lake boasts the highest median tax rate in the county at 1.59%, while Minong has the lowest at 0.78%. Understanding these variations is crucial for property owners, as they directly impact the amount of property tax owed. By comparing Washburn County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Wisconsin or the U.S. median, property owners can gain valuable insights into how their property tax obligations stack up.

Property Tax Rates Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

0.78%

1.19%

1.59%

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 Washburn County Tax Rate

1.18%

Median Effective Wisconsin Tax Rate

1.58%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Birchwood	0.98%	0.98%	0.98%	1.26%	1.57%
Minong	0.78%	0.78%	0.78%	0.78%	0.78%
Sarona	1.08%	1.09%	1.26%	1.26%	1.26%
Shell Lake	1.59%	1.59%	1.59%	1.60%	1.60%
Spooner	1.12%	1.12%	1.27%	1.27%	1.27%
Stone Lake	0.98%	0.98%	0.98%	1.18%	1.18%
Hayward	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Trego	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

When examining property taxes in Washburn 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 Washburn County appraisal district 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 Washburn 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 Washburn County.

For example, the median tax bill in Washburn County is $1,731, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Shell Lake has the highest median home price at $296,250.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$19,900

$158,075

$296,250

Median Washburn County Market Value

$126,300

Median Wisconsin Market Value

$200,300

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Birchwood	$14,100	$14,100	$19,900	$111,050	$163,960
Minong	$2,600	$79,500	$111,600	$192,650	$269,090
Sarona	$79,700	$96,900	$133,100	$260,850	$331,800
Shell Lake	$58,200	$58,200	$296,250	$380,200	$380,200
Spooner	$63,520	$94,750	$137,800	$186,650	$243,660
Stone Lake	$133,660	$191,500	$215,350	$229,250	$277,510
Hayward	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Trego	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

In Washburn County, WI, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. These assessors evaluate various factors, including the property's size, location, and condition, to establish its assessed value. This assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual property tax bill. Homeowners in Washburn County experience a range of tax bills, with the median tax bill being $1,263. This is significantly lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills can vary widely within the county, with the 25th percentile tax bill at $869 and the 75th percentile at $2,407, indicating a considerable spread. The highest median tax bill in the county is found in Shell Lake at $4,724, while Birchwood has the lowest at $184. These variations highlight the impact of property location and valuation on tax liabilities, influencing homeowner expenses and financial planning.

Property Tax Bills Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$184

$2,454

$4,724

Median Washburn County Tax Bill

$1,472

Median Wisconsin Tax Bill

$3,346

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Washburn County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Birchwood	$138	$138	$184	$1,144	$1,881
Minong	$20	$666	$916	$1,498	$2,092
Sarona	$1,005	$1,192	$1,574	$2,913	$3,678
Shell Lake	$929	$929	$4,724	$6,063	$6,063
Spooner	$774	$1,139	$1,876	$2,460	$2,913
Stone Lake	$1,580	$1,878	$2,213	$2,507	$3,159
Hayward	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Trego	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell