Property Taxes in Swanton, Maryland
Median Swanton, Maryland effective property tax rate: 1.07%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Maryland state median of 1.21%.
Median Swanton, Maryland home value: $366,050
Median annual Swanton, Maryland tax bill: $3,931, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Garrett calculated?
Property taxes in Swanton, Maryland 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 Swanton's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Swanton, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Swanton Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Swanton property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Swanton's median effective tax rate of 1.07% — based on actual property records in Garrett County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment process uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Swanton'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 Swanton: rates are 1.07% in 21561, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Swanton.
About Swanton Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Swanton, Garrett, Maryland
Swanton’s median effective property tax rate of 1.07% is lower than the Maryland state median of 1.21% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Garrett County base levy combined with local school district levies and special taxing districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Swanton. Homeowners in the 21561 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.07%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 1.07%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Garrett County. Understanding which part of Swanton you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Swanton homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Garrett County Tax Assessor before the February 13, 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 Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
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 Swanton's effective property tax rate to other cities in Maryland and the median property tax rates in Maryland 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 Swanton Tax Rate
1.07%
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 Garrett County Tax Rate
1.09%
Median Effective Maryland Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21561 | 0.93% | 1.02% | 1.07% | 1.18% | 1.23% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
When examining property taxes in Swanton, Maryland, 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 Garrett 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 Garrett County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of December.
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. For example, the median home price in Swanton is $366,050, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 21561 has the highest median home price at $366,050.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
Source: Ownwell
$41,000
$289,400
$537,800
Median Swanton Market Value
$366,050
Median Garrett County Market Value
$186,500
Median Maryland Market Value
$338,400
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21561 | $62,930 | $135,100 | $366,050 | $736,775 | $1,214,680 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
Swanton property tax bills are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Garrett County. The bill is calculated by applying that rate to the home’s assessed value, so changes in market value and assessment can directly affect what a homeowner owes. For many homeowners, this means a higher assessed value can lead to a larger tax bill, while a lower assessment may reduce it.
In Swanton, the median home price is $366,050, and the median property tax bill is $3,931, which is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills can vary widely across the area, with the 25th percentile at $1,667 and the 75th percentile at $7,751. At the 90th percentile, bills reach $12,298, showing how much property taxes can differ depending on a home’s assessed value and location.
Median Swanton Tax Bill
$3,931
Median Garrett County Tax Bill
$2,092
Median Maryland Tax Bill
$4,092
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Swanton, Garrett County, Maryland
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21561 | $878 | $1,667 | $3,931 | $7,751 | $12,298 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | February 13 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Garrett Tax Assessor | |
| Website | sdat.dat.maryland.gov |