Sierra County, California Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Sierra County, California
Median Sierra County effective property tax rate: 1.25%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Sierra County home value: $205,413
Median annual Sierra County tax bill: $2,584, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Sierra County calculated?
Property taxes in Sierra 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 Sierra County or another part of Sierra County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Sierra County, California Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.25%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,568
$2,383
How Does the Sierra County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Sierra County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Sierra County's median effective tax rate of 1.25% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessor assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Sierra County's median property tax rate is higher than California's 1.21% median rate, and the median tax bill of $2,584 is $184 higher than the state median bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Sierra County.
Property Tax Rates Across Sierra County, California
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Sierra County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Sierra County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Sierra County's effective property tax rate to other counties in California or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Sierra County's median effective rate stands at 1.25%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Sierra County, the highest rate is found in ALLEGHANY at 1.56%, while VERDI has the lowest at 1.01%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Mello-Roos Community Facility Districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
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 Sierra County Tax Rate
1.25%
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 California Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | 1.21% | 1.37% | 1.56% | 1.96% | 2.41% |
| Calpine | 1.05% | 1.12% | 1.49% | 1.87% | 2.65% |
| Downieville | 1.06% | 1.12% | 1.19% | 1.36% | 1.59% |
| Goodyears Bar | 1.06% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.39% | 1.68% |
| Loyalton | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.39% | 1.76% | 2.43% |
| North San Juan | 1.02% | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.17% | 1.32% |
| Sierra Brooks | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.57% |
| Sierra City | 1.04% | 1.10% | 1.19% | 1.43% | 1.90% |
| Sierraville | 1.00% | 1.04% | 1.11% | 1.24% | 1.43% |
| Verdi | 0.99% | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.02% | 1.04% |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
When examining property taxes in Sierra 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 Sierra 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 Sierra County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
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 Sierra County.
For example, the median tax bill in Sierra County is $2,584, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills vary significantly across the county, from $947 in Alleghany to $4,275 in Verdi. Verdi also has the highest median home price at $425,788, compared with the county median home price of $205,413.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
Source: Ownwell
$61,498
$193,078
$324,658
Median Sierra County Market Value
$205,413
Median California Market Value
$427,605
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | $22,854 | $35,700 | $61,498 | $76,142 | $106,041 |
| Calpine | $78,923 | $150,284 | $249,142 | $362,532 | $553,223 |
| Downieville | $78,805 | $120,832 | $218,908 | $335,000 | $466,931 |
| Goodyears Bar | $62,974 | $95,840 | $182,928 | $336,623 | $491,160 |
| Loyalton | $51,856 | $101,731 | $175,835 | $266,344 | $378,279 |
| North San Juan | $97,028 | $160,000 | $267,129 | $396,152 | $464,443 |
| Sierra Brooks | $139,175 | $168,247 | $244,616 | $320,656 | $401,843 |
| Sierra City | $47,403 | $94,814 | $188,853 | $317,729 | $430,079 |
| Sierraville | $93,706 | $165,748 | $324,658 | $562,728 | $772,147 |
| Verdi | $183,701 | $329,286 | $425,788 | $568,682 | $892,570 |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sierra County, California
Property tax bills in Sierra County, California are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local tax rates are applied to that assessed value, and the final bill can also reflect voter-approved levies and special district charges. Because assessments and local rates can vary by location, two homes with similar market values may still receive different tax bills.
For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value usually leads to a larger bill, while lower assessments can reduce what is owed. In Sierra County, the median home price is $205,413, and tax bills vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,646, while the 75th percentile reaches $3,916. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill is $5,403. That range shows how property taxes can affect household budgets differently depending on the home and its location.
Median Sierra County Tax Bill
$2,584
Median California Tax Bill
$5,134
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Sierra County, California
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany | $550 | $711 | $947 | $1,062 | $1,368 |
| Calpine | $2,046 | $2,575 | $3,562 | $4,527 | $6,122 |
| Downieville | $1,212 | $1,623 | $2,528 | $3,820 | $5,481 |
| Goodyears Bar | $1,025 | $1,405 | $2,212 | $3,668 | $5,493 |
| Loyalton | $1,169 | $1,659 | $2,441 | $3,352 | $4,569 |
| North San Juan | $1,199 | $1,781 | $2,971 | $4,181 | $5,033 |
| Sierra Brooks | $2,170 | $2,440 | $3,162 | $3,900 | $4,829 |
| Sierra City | $890 | $1,291 | $2,184 | $3,391 | $4,554 |
| Sierraville | $1,280 | $2,159 | $3,508 | $5,750 | $8,441 |
| Verdi | $1,887 | $3,369 | $4,275 | $5,732 | $8,879 |
| Camptonville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chilcoot | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Forest City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Indian Wells | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pike | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reno | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sattley | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sowest County | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Truckee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Sierra Tax Assessor | |
| Website | assr.parcelquest.com |