Lake, Clare County, Michigan Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Lake, Michigan
Median Lake, Michigan effective property tax rate: 1.25%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05%.
Median Lake, Michigan home value: $104,200
Median annual Lake, Michigan tax bill: $1,196, $1,204 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Clare calculated?
Property taxes in Lake, Michigan 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 Lake's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Lake, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Lake, Clare County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.25%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,303
$1,209
How Does the Lake Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Lake property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Lake's median effective tax rate of 1.25% — based on actual property records in Clare County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Lake'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 Lake: rates range from 1.25% in 48632 to 1.25% in 48632, 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 Lake.
About Lake Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Lake, Clare, Michigan
Lake's median effective property tax rate of 1.25% is higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Clare County base levy combined with local school district levies and Tax increment finance districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Lake. Homeowners in the 48632 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.25%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 1.25%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Clare County. Understanding which part of Lake you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Lake homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the March 9, 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 Lake, Clare County, Michigan
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 Lake's effective property tax rate to other cities in Michigan and the median property tax rates in Michigan 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 Lake Tax Rate
1.25%
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 Clare County Tax Rate
1.21%
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48632 | 0.72% | 0.91% | 1.25% | 1.59% | 1.95% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Lake, Michigan, 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 Clare 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 Clare County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of spring.
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 Lake is $104,200, with tax bills centered at $1,196 across the county. ZIP code 48632 has the highest median home price at $104,200.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$87,900
$162,150
$236,400
Median Lake Market Value
$104,200
Median Clare County Market Value
$107,200
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48632 | $24,723 | $51,000 | $104,200 | $194,362 | $314,560 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
Property tax bills in Lake are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities in Clare County, Michigan. When a property is assessed, that value is used to calculate the amount owed, so homes with higher assessed values generally face higher bills. The median home price in Lake is $104,200, which helps show how local property taxes are tied to home value rather than the purchase price alone.
Homeowners in Lake typically see bills shaped by local budgets, school funding, and other public services supported by property taxes. The 25th percentile tax bill is $640, while the 75th percentile is $2,320 and the 90th percentile is $3,771. That range shows how much bills can vary depending on a home’s assessed value and the specific tax rates applied. With a median tax bill of $1,196 in ZIP code 48632, property taxes can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Lake Tax Bill
$1,196
Median Clare County Tax Bill
$1,244
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Lake, Clare County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48632 | $333 | $640 | $1,196 | $2,320 | $3,771 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 9 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Clare Tax Assessor | |
| Website | bsaonline.com |