Lake County, Indiana Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Lake County, Indiana
Median Lake County effective property tax rate: 2.68%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Lake County home value: $201,400
Median annual Lake County tax bill: $5,774, $3,374 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lake County calculated?
Property taxes in Lake 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.
Why are property taxes in Lake County higher than the national median? The county’s 2.68% effective property tax rate is well above the national median of 1.02%. How does Lake County compare with Indiana? Indiana’s median tax rate is 1.01%, which is lower than Lake County’s rate.
What does that mean for homeowners? The median annual tax bill of $5,774 is far above the national median of $2,400, making exemptions and assessment reviews especially important. Whether you live in Gary or another part of Lake County, understanding your county’s property tax system can help identify savings opportunities.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Lake County, Indiana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.68%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,398
$5,009
How Does the Lake County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Lake County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Lake County's median effective tax rate of 2.68% 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 or improvement districts that apply to your property. Lake County’s median tax rate is higher than the state median tax rate of 1.01%, and the county’s median property tax bill of $5,774 is $3,374 higher than the state median bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Lake County.
Property Tax Rates Across Lake County, Indiana
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Lake County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Lake 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 Lake County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Indiana or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Lake County's median effective rate stands at 2.68%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Lake County, the highest rate is found in Gary at 8.24%, while Hebron has the lowest at 1.87%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment 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 Lake County Tax Rate
2.68%
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 Indiana Tax Rate
1.01%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Lake County, Indiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Lake | 1.76% | 2.35% | 2.54% | 2.59% | 2.64% |
| Crown Point | 1.61% | 2.02% | 2.47% | 2.53% | 2.60% |
| Dyer | 1.55% | 1.78% | 2.41% | 2.47% | 2.52% |
| East Chicago | 4.31% | 4.35% | 4.39% | 4.52% | 4.61% |
| Gary | 4.19% | 7.23% | 8.24% | 8.49% | 8.97% |
| Griffith | 2.45% | 3.09% | 3.11% | 3.16% | 3.20% |
| Hammond | 3.58% | 4.13% | 4.36% | 4.42% | 4.51% |
| Hebron | 1.83% | 1.86% | 1.87% | 1.89% | 2.14% |
| Highland | 2.27% | 2.37% | 2.43% | 2.48% | 2.54% |
| Hobart | 3.12% | 3.70% | 3.98% | 4.07% | 4.12% |
| Lake Station | 3.93% | 4.43% | 4.55% | 4.67% | 4.88% |
| Leroy | 1.64% | 1.87% | 2.02% | 2.11% | 2.19% |
| Lowell | 1.78% | 1.87% | 2.36% | 2.53% | 2.60% |
| Merrillville | 2.26% | 2.30% | 2.32% | 2.34% | 2.39% |
| Munster | 2.57% | 2.72% | 2.80% | 2.90% | 2.98% |
| New Chicago | 3.02% | 3.32% | 3.78% | 3.98% | 4.23% |
| Saint John | 1.65% | 1.90% | 1.99% | 2.23% | 2.34% |
| Schererville | 1.75% | 1.88% | 1.93% | 1.97% | 1.99% |
| Schneider | 1.79% | 1.85% | 3.05% | 3.07% | 3.09% |
| Shelby | 1.89% | 1.89% | 1.90% | 1.91% | 1.93% |
| Whiting | 3.50% | 3.79% | 4.14% | 4.19% | 4.53% |
| Fishers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Winfield | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake County, Indiana
When examining property taxes in Lake 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 Lake 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 are sent in the spring each year and 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. The median tax bill in Lake County is $5,774, well above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Tax bills vary widely across the county, with Munster at $8,624 and Shelby at $1,886. Saint John has the highest median home price at $397,500.
Median Lake County Market Value
$201,400
Median Indiana Market Value
$186,200
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake County, Indiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Lake | $118,600 | $184,800 | $268,900 | $344,425 | $426,570 |
| Crown Point | $188,300 | $233,400 | $298,000 | $396,100 | $506,100 |
| Dyer | $205,960 | $250,100 | $313,000 | $401,600 | $494,960 |
| East Chicago | $55,800 | $73,300 | $93,400 | $121,600 | $155,200 |
| Gary | $17,200 | $37,800 | $53,000 | $82,100 | $137,600 |
| Griffith | $144,100 | $181,775 | $214,600 | $251,300 | $302,050 |
| Hammond | $95,600 | $115,200 | $140,200 | $171,300 | $205,000 |
| Hebron | $181,000 | $261,400 | $341,700 | $429,700 | $530,500 |
| Highland | $171,700 | $203,950 | $242,200 | $279,100 | $323,200 |
| Hobart | $109,600 | $138,700 | $182,000 | $234,125 | $291,200 |
| Lake Station | $68,020 | $83,200 | $105,900 | $136,400 | $167,280 |
| Leroy | $61,780 | $100,550 | $154,600 | $216,900 | $280,660 |
| Lowell | $178,300 | $211,050 | $269,700 | $348,000 | $426,720 |
| Merrillville | $122,800 | $151,900 | $184,300 | $228,500 | $284,450 |
| Munster | $201,500 | $256,200 | $314,800 | $408,950 | $560,200 |
| New Chicago | $72,040 | $92,800 | $122,000 | $153,750 | $180,740 |
| Saint John | $281,410 | $330,800 | $397,500 | $482,425 | $625,080 |
| Schererville | $195,400 | $242,350 | $309,700 | $384,800 | $467,900 |
| Schneider | $21,220 | $74,875 | $117,700 | $152,675 | $198,370 |
| Shelby | $29,800 | $68,700 | $102,450 | $150,850 | $188,650 |
| Whiting | $130,700 | $152,000 | $181,200 | $214,650 | $252,800 |
| Fishers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Winfield | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Lake County, Indiana
Property tax bills in Lake County, Indiana are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the county’s tax rates to that assessed value to determine the final bill, so two homes with similar market values can still owe different amounts if their assessments or tax rates differ.
For a home with a median value of $201,400, the property tax burden can vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $4,096, while the 75th percentile reaches $7,777, and the 90th percentile climbs to $10,260. That spread shows how location, assessment, and local levies can significantly affect what homeowners pay.
Homeowners in Lake County may see especially high bills compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, making it important to understand how assessments are calculated and whether they are accurate.
Median Lake County Tax Bill
$5,774
Median Indiana Tax Bill
$1,964
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Lake County, Indiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Lake | $2,383 | $4,046 | $6,104 | $8,204 | $10,202 |
| Crown Point | $3,650 | $5,053 | $6,496 | $9,138 | $11,912 |
| Dyer | $3,960 | $5,257 | $6,849 | $8,904 | $11,134 |
| East Chicago | $2,138 | $3,093 | $4,004 | $5,269 | $6,925 |
| Gary | $1,261 | $2,837 | $3,897 | $5,599 | $9,469 |
| Griffith | $3,604 | $5,382 | $6,515 | $7,678 | $9,216 |
| Hammond | $3,709 | $4,718 | $5,874 | $7,241 | $8,760 |
| Hebron | $3,168 | $4,843 | $6,238 | $8,063 | $9,959 |
| Highland | $3,629 | $4,801 | $5,795 | $6,695 | $7,829 |
| Hobart | $3,731 | $5,078 | $6,797 | $8,703 | $10,905 |
| Lake Station | $2,835 | $3,562 | $4,656 | $6,143 | $7,575 |
| Leroy | $452 | $1,971 | $3,283 | $4,519 | $5,642 |
| Lowell | $3,180 | $4,619 | $5,824 | $7,616 | $9,328 |
| Merrillville | $2,683 | $3,480 | $4,307 | $5,427 | $6,992 |
| Munster | $4,466 | $6,641 | $8,624 | $11,434 | $15,912 |
| New Chicago | $1,683 | $3,416 | $4,274 | $5,648 | $7,196 |
| Saint John | $4,460 | $6,311 | $8,021 | $10,056 | $12,251 |
| Schererville | $3,268 | $4,375 | $5,767 | $7,250 | $8,899 |
| Schneider | $574 | $1,640 | $3,048 | $4,223 | $5,187 |
| Shelby | $580 | $1,191 | $1,886 | $2,850 | $3,598 |
| Whiting | $4,938 | $6,014 | $7,304 | $8,688 | $10,226 |
| Fishers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Winfield | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lake Tax Assessor | |
| Website | in-lake.publicaccessnow.com |