Bay County, Michigan Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Bay County, Michigan
Median Bay County effective property tax rate: 1.43%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Bay County home value: $150,000
Median annual Bay County tax bill: $2,142, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Bay County calculated?
Property taxes in Bay 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.
What makes Bay County property taxes different from the national average? Bay County’s median effective property tax rate is 1.43%, which is above the national median of 1.02%.
How does the Bay County tax bill compare with the U.S. median? The median annual tax bill is $2,142, which is below the national median of $2,400.
Understanding Bay County’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings for homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Bay County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.43%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,145
$1,991
How Does the Bay County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Bay County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Bay County's median effective tax rate of 1.43% 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. Bay County's median effective tax rate is higher than Michigan's 1.05% and above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The county's median property tax bill is $2,142, which is $258 lower than Michigan's and below 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 Bay County.
Property Tax Rates Across Bay County, Michigan
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Bay County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Bay 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 Bay County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Michigan or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Bay County's median effective rate stands at 1.43%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Bay County, the highest rate is found in Essexville at 1.56%, while Standish has the lowest at 0.79%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Tax increment finance districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Bay County Tax Rate
1.43%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 0.73% | 1.24% | 1.50% | 1.70% | 1.97% |
| Bay City | 1.16% | 1.30% | 1.46% | 1.71% | 2.09% |
| Bentley | 0.63% | 0.77% | 0.99% | 1.23% | 1.68% |
| Essexville | 1.28% | 1.42% | 1.56% | 1.80% | 2.05% |
| Freeland | 0.96% | 1.08% | 1.28% | 1.47% | 1.72% |
| Kawkawlin | 0.67% | 0.87% | 1.05% | 1.21% | 1.54% |
| Linwood | 0.66% | 0.98% | 1.20% | 1.45% | 1.92% |
| Midland | 0.61% | 0.72% | 1.29% | 1.70% | 2.26% |
| Pinconning | 0.83% | 1.01% | 1.24% | 1.66% | 2.20% |
| Rhodes | 0.71% | 0.93% | 1.11% | 1.33% | 1.76% |
| Saginaw | 0.89% | 1.11% | 1.25% | 1.42% | 1.67% |
| Standish | 0.61% | 0.71% | 0.79% | 1.09% | 1.25% |
| Sterling | 0.65% | 0.73% | 0.85% | 1.20% | 1.40% |
| Munger | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reese | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Bay 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 Bay County Equalization Department 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 Bay County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
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 Bay County.
For example, the median tax bill in Bay County is $2,142, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Freeland has the highest median home price at $224,850.
Median Bay County Market Value
$150,000
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $112,200 | $146,400 | $188,800 | $274,800 | $369,700 |
| Bay City | $73,300 | $95,600 | $134,500 | $201,400 | $304,900 |
| Bentley | $55,080 | $102,000 | $164,600 | $254,400 | $392,520 |
| Essexville | $95,600 | $127,200 | $172,900 | $253,550 | $348,460 |
| Freeland | $114,710 | $161,550 | $224,850 | $347,875 | $443,530 |
| Kawkawlin | $84,080 | $141,000 | $201,600 | $288,000 | $403,400 |
| Linwood | $38,400 | $111,450 | $173,700 | $266,550 | $430,300 |
| Midland | $84,960 | $133,700 | $184,800 | $260,250 | $372,280 |
| Pinconning | $61,380 | $100,600 | $158,200 | $229,400 | $324,400 |
| Rhodes | $76,000 | $130,300 | $198,600 | $291,400 | $362,400 |
| Saginaw | $80,500 | $133,650 | $171,350 | $237,400 | $297,900 |
| Standish | $81,080 | $127,100 | $208,100 | $297,200 | $499,420 |
| Sterling | $65,740 | $122,800 | $180,900 | $267,500 | $371,960 |
| Munger | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reese | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bay County, Michigan
Property tax bills in Bay County are based on 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 has not made any changes to the property. For a county with a median home price of $150,000, the tax burden can vary widely depending on location and neighborhood.
In Bay County, the median tax bill is $2,819 in Freeland and $1,471 in Sterling, showing how much bills can differ within the same county. Across the county, the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,552, while the 75th percentile reaches $3,045 and the 90th percentile climbs to $4,373. These differences matter because property taxes directly affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability for homeowners.
Median Bay County Tax Bill
$2,142
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Bay County, Michigan
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $1,319 | $1,951 | $2,703 | $3,861 | $5,395 |
| Bay City | $1,162 | $1,533 | $2,065 | $2,911 | $4,216 |
| Bentley | $631 | $1,023 | $1,619 | $2,345 | $3,267 |
| Essexville | $1,563 | $2,085 | $2,817 | $3,864 | $5,260 |
| Freeland | $1,490 | $2,091 | $2,819 | $4,139 | $5,567 |
| Kawkawlin | $868 | $1,409 | $2,102 | $2,859 | $3,930 |
| Linwood | $402 | $1,349 | $2,033 | $2,856 | $4,293 |
| Midland | $607 | $1,388 | $2,156 | $3,251 | $4,125 |
| Pinconning | $965 | $1,435 | $1,963 | $2,657 | $3,556 |
| Rhodes | $935 | $1,403 | $2,088 | $2,915 | $3,806 |
| Saginaw | $1,412 | $1,776 | $2,131 | $2,949 | $3,469 |
| Standish | $828 | $1,126 | $1,663 | $2,436 | $3,665 |
| Sterling | $604 | $1,030 | $1,471 | $2,229 | $3,719 |
| Munger | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reese | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 9 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Bay Tax Assessor | |
| Website | bsaonline.com |