Tensas County, Louisiana Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Tensas County, Louisiana
Median Tensas County effective property tax rate: 1.24%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Tensas County home value: $35,000
Median annual Tensas County tax bill: $293, $2,107 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Tensas County calculated?
Property taxes in Tensas 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 Tensas County or another part of Tensas County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Tensas County, Louisiana Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.24%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$434
$403
How Does the Tensas County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Tensas County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Tensas County's median effective tax rate of 1.24% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the appraisal district 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. Tensas County's median tax rate is higher than Louisiana's 0.92% state median tax rate, while the county's median property tax bill of $293 is lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Tensas County.
Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County, Louisiana
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Tensas 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 Tensas County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Louisiana or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Tensas County's median effective rate stands at 1.24%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Tensas County, the highest rate is found in Waterproof at 1.31%, while Newellton has the lowest at 1.23%.
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 Tensas County Tax Rate
1.24%
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 Louisiana Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Tensas County, Louisiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newellton | 0.25% | 0.95% | 1.23% | 1.48% | 1.48% |
| Waterproof | 0.27% | 0.54% | 1.31% | 1.57% | 1.57% |
| Clayton | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Joseph | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tallulah | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tensas County, Louisiana
When examining property taxes in Tensas 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 Tensas Parish tax 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 Tensas County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of August.
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 Tensas County.
For example, the median tax bill in Tensas County is $293, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Newellton has the highest median home price at $34,500.
Median Tensas County Market Value
$35,000
Median Louisiana Market Value
$118,642
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tensas County, Louisiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newellton | $8,000 | $14,500 | $34,500 | $73,250 | $229,375 |
| Waterproof | $7,000 | $11,250 | $20,950 | $42,000 | $81,823 |
| Clayton | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Joseph | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tallulah | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana
Property tax bills in Tensas are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the property’s market value. That means the bill is shaped by both the county’s tax rate and the value assigned to the home, so two properties with different values can owe very different amounts even within the same area.
With a median home price of $35,000, many homeowners in Tensas face relatively modest bills compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. The county’s tax bills also vary widely: the 25th percentile is $108, while the 75th percentile is $1,279, and the 90th percentile reaches $4,103. Median bills range from $179 in Waterproof to $268 in Newellton.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs, especially when assessed values rise or when a home is taxed above what similar properties pay.
Median Tensas County Tax Bill
$293
Median Louisiana Tax Bill
$995
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Tensas County, Louisiana
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newellton | $68 | $118 | $268 | $698 | $3,260 |
| Waterproof | $48 | $94 | $179 | $371 | $929 |
| Clayton | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint Joseph | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tallulah | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Tensas Tax Assessor | |
| Website | snstaxpayments.com |