Washington County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Washington County is 1.22%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Wisconsin state median of 1.58%. With the median home value in Washington County, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $3,282, which exceeds the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Washington 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 Washington 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 West Bend or another part of Washington County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Washington County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.22%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,467
$3,217
Ownwell’s Washington Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Washington with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Washington 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 Washington County, Wisconsin
Property taxes in Washington County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Washington County is 1.22%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Washington County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Washington 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 Washington County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Wisconsin and the national median. For comparison, the city of Germantown has one of the higher property tax rates in Wisconsin at 1.48%, while the city of Cedarburg boasts one of the lowest at 0.72%. Analyzing how Washington County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Washington County Tax Rate
1.22%
Average Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.58%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Washington County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allenton | 0.83% | 0.86% | 0.94% | 1.22% | 1.31% |
| Campbellsport | 0.80% | 0.82% | 0.85% | 0.87% | 0.88% |
| Cedarburg | 0.68% | 0.69% | 0.72% | 0.75% | 0.88% |
| Colgate | 0.94% | 0.97% | 1.18% | 1.22% | 1.45% |
| Fredonia | 0.92% | 0.92% | 0.92% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
| Germantown | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.50% | 1.52% |
| Hartford | 0.82% | 0.91% | 0.98% | 1.00% | 1.03% |
| Hartland | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.89% | 0.91% | 0.92% |
| Hubertus | 0.91% | 0.93% | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.21% |
| Jackson | 0.72% | 0.94% | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.49% |
| Kewaskum | 0.91% | 0.92% | 1.29% | 1.34% | 1.37% |
| Oconomowoc | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Random Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Richfield | 0.91% | 0.95% | 0.97% | 1.21% | 1.47% |
| Slinger | 0.76% | 0.88% | 1.26% | 1.31% | 1.34% |
| Theresa | 0.82% | 0.84% | 0.86% | 0.90% | 0.94% |
| West Bend | 0.95% | 1.02% | 1.43% | 1.47% | 1.52% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Wisconsin
In Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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, Germantown has the highest median tax bill at $4,407, whereas Theresa has the lowest at $2,243. Being aware of these valuation processes in Washington County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$227,054
$310,284
$393,513
Average Washington County Assessed Value
$284,190
Average Wisconsin Assessed Value
$200,300
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Washington County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allenton | $125,643 | $180,576 | $230,598 | $316,932 | $402,486 |
| Campbellsport | $153,093 | $204,276 | $271,656 | $387,635 | $453,364 |
| Cedarburg | $253,596 | $282,926 | $330,552 | $425,097 | $535,981 |
| Colgate | $245,480 | $287,480 | $368,844 | $496,792 | $622,414 |
| Fredonia | $170,501 | $222,407 | $288,886 | $347,243 | $424,558 |
| Germantown | $112,140 | $228,072 | $299,040 | $371,850 | $457,986 |
| Hartford | $207,633 | $256,836 | $327,117 | $398,082 | $478,305 |
| Hartland | $292,889 | $339,584 | $393,513 | $501,137 | $568,476 |
| Hubertus | $212,818 | $264,770 | $326,610 | $453,103 | $589,607 |
| Jackson | $168,671 | $218,095 | $279,089 | $352,522 | $463,150 |
| Kewaskum | $159,237 | $195,978 | $243,647 | $306,631 | $403,018 |
| Oconomowoc | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Random Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Richfield | $223,400 | $292,312 | $390,128 | $477,609 | $558,522 |
| Slinger | $160,054 | $227,894 | $323,536 | $403,052 | $505,429 |
| Theresa | $194,928 | $208,831 | $268,139 | $330,752 | $388,355 |
| West Bend | $145,205 | $191,472 | $238,450 | $321,018 | $429,802 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Wisconsin
In Washington County, WI, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the county assessor and reflects the market value of the property. This value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to calculate the annual tax bill. Several factors influence the assessed value, including the property's location, size, and condition. Homeowners in Washington County experience a range of tax bills. For example, the tax bill at the 25th percentile is $2,493, while at the 75th percentile, it reaches $4,341. The 90th percentile sees tax bills as high as $5,649. In Germantown, the highest median tax bill is $4,407, whereas in Theresa, the lowest median tax bill is $2,243. These variations can significantly affect homeowners' finances, potentially impacting decisions on buying or selling property. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Washington County’s tax rates reflect the local economic landscape and public service funding needs.
Average Washington County Tax Bill
$3,282
Average Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,346
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Washington County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allenton | $1,338 | $1,847 | $2,347 | $3,003 | $3,647 |
| Campbellsport | $1,282 | $1,676 | $2,306 | $3,339 | $3,970 |
| Cedarburg | $1,767 | $2,002 | $2,447 | $3,349 | $4,126 |
| Colgate | $2,745 | $3,363 | $4,161 | $5,546 | $7,280 |
| Fredonia | $1,595 | $2,048 | $2,712 | $3,228 | $3,915 |
| Germantown | $1,571 | $3,221 | $4,407 | $5,555 | $6,934 |
| Hartford | $1,941 | $2,384 | $3,110 | $3,875 | $4,663 |
| Hartland | $2,544 | $2,920 | $3,509 | $4,526 | $5,101 |
| Hubertus | $2,009 | $2,505 | $3,255 | $4,607 | $6,209 |
| Jackson | $2,116 | $2,739 | $3,504 | $4,395 | $5,368 |
| Kewaskum | $1,833 | $2,292 | $2,818 | $3,473 | $4,138 |
| Oconomowoc | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Random Lake | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Richfield | $2,285 | $3,227 | $4,010 | $4,968 | $6,365 |
| Slinger | $1,856 | $2,489 | $3,264 | $4,556 | $5,811 |
| Theresa | $1,703 | $1,842 | $2,243 | $2,798 | $3,370 |
| West Bend | $1,869 | $2,482 | $3,099 | $3,954 | $5,223 |
Source: Ownwell