Forest City, Mason County, Illinois Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Forest City, Illinois
Median Forest City, Illinois effective property tax rate: 3.45%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33%.
Median Forest City, Illinois home value: $76,008
Median annual Forest City, Illinois tax bill: $3,234, $834 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Mason calculated?
Property taxes in Forest City, Illinois 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 Forest City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Forest City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Forest City, Mason County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
3.45%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,622
$2,433
How Does the Forest City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Forest City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Forest City's median effective tax rate of 3.45% — based on actual property records in Mason County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Forest City's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Forest City: rates range from 3.45% in 61532 to 3.45% in 61532, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts. Forest City's median effective tax rate is higher than the Illinois median tax rate of 2.33% and higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The median property tax bill is $3,234, which is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Forest City.
About Forest City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Forest City, Mason, Illinois
Forest City's median effective property tax rate of 3.45% is higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Mason County base levy combined with local school district levies and special service areas that can vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Forest City. Homeowners in the 61532 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 3.45%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 3.45%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Mason County, even when the local tax profile is concentrated in one area.
Forest City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the June 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides 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 Forest City's effective property tax rate to other cities in Illinois and the median property tax rates in Illinois and the U.S.
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 Forest City Tax Rate
3.45%
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 Mason County Tax Rate
3.12%
Median Effective Illinois Tax Rate
2.33%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61532 | 2.74% | 3.05% | 3.45% | 4.31% | 4.63% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
When examining property taxes in Forest City, Illinois, 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 Mason County assessment 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.
Assessment notices:
In Mason 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 Forest City.
For example, the median home price in Forest City is $76,008, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 61532 has the highest median home price at $76,008.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell
$46,558
$80,329
$114,099
Median Forest City Market Value
$76,008
Median Mason County Market Value
$72,273
Median Illinois Market Value
$227,888
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61532 | $23,220 | $33,726 | $76,008 | $131,025 | $182,898 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
Property tax bills in Forest City are calculated from the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill can increase as well, even if the homeowner’s income does not change. The bill is based on the market value of the property, local budgets, and any exemptions or special assessments that apply.
For homeowners in Forest City, this means the tax bill can vary widely from one property to another. The median home price is $76,008, while the median property tax bill is $3,234 in ZIP code 61532. That figure is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects how local assessments and rates affect what owners pay.
At the lower end, some homeowners pay around $1,596, while others pay as much as $5,956. These differences show how property taxes can significantly affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Forest City Tax Bill
$3,234
Median Mason County Tax Bill
$2,327
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$5,277
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Forest City, Mason County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61532 | $799 | $1,596 | $3,234 | $5,240 | $5,956 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Mason Tax Assessor | |
| Website | masonil.devnetwedge.com |