Empire, Benzie County, Michigan Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Empire, MI effective property tax rate: 0.31%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Michigan state median of 1.07%.
Median Empire, MI home value: $444,000
Median annual Empire, MI tax bill: $1,313, $1,087 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Benzie calculated?

Property taxes in Empire, MI 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 Empire’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Empire, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Empire, Benzie County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.3%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,343

$1,246

Ownwell’s Empire Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Empire with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Empire’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Benzie County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting 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. Empire, located in Benzie County, has an effective property tax rate that can be compared to other cities in Michigan. The median property tax rate in Michigan is significantly lower than the national median, which reflects the diverse economic landscape across the country. Residents in Empire benefit from a more favorable tax rate compared to the national average, which can lead to substantial savings over time. Understanding these rates and how they compare to both state and national medians can empower property owners to make informed decisions about their investments.

Property Tax Rates Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

0.25%

0.52%

0.78%

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 Empire Tax Rate

0.30%

Median Effective Benzie County Tax Rate

0.30%

Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate

1.05%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
49630	0.19%	0.25%	0.30%	0.36%	0.42%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

When examining property taxes in Empire, MI, 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 Benzie County appraisal district 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.

In Benzie County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Empire.

For example, the median home price in Empire is $444,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 49630 has the highest median home price at $444,000.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

$143,000

$295,300

$447,600

Median Empire Market Value

$447,600

Median Benzie County Market Value

$304,000

Median Michigan Market Value

$213,740

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
49630	$141,560	$248,800	$447,600	$845,000	$1,103,880

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

In Empire, located in Benzie County, MI, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the property's market value, which is determined by local assessors. Homeowners in this area experience property tax bills that vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $598 and the 90th percentile reaching $3,070. The median tax bill in the region is $1,313, which falls below the national median property tax bill of $2,400. This variation in tax bills can significantly impact homeowners, especially those with properties assessed at higher values.

Factors influencing these tax bills include property location, size, and any applicable exemptions or deductions. Ownwell offers services to help homeowners reduce their property tax burden. By appealing inaccurate assessments and identifying potential exemptions, Ownwell can assist homeowners in potentially lowering their tax bills. This support ensures homeowners aren't overpaying and can maintain financial stability while enjoying their property.

Property Tax Bills Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Source: Ownwell

$572

$1,744

$2,915

Median Empire Tax Bill

$1,434

Median Benzie County Tax Bill

$935

Median Michigan Tax Bill

$2,084

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Empire, Benzie County, Michigan

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
49630	$358	$658	$1,434	$2,276	$3,197

Source: Ownwell