Cole County, Missouri Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cole County, Missouri
Median Cole County effective property tax rate: 1.13%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Cole County home value: $136,300
Median annual Cole County tax bill: $1,522, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cole County calculated?
Property taxes in Cole 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.
Why do property taxes in Cole County matter? Because even a modest difference in assessed value can affect your annual bill, and understanding your county's property tax system can lead to meaningful savings.
Are property taxes in Cole County higher than the national median? The county’s effective property tax rate is 1.13%, above the national median of 1.02%, while the median annual tax bill is $1,522.
Whether you live in Jefferson City or another part of Cole County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cole County, Missouri Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.13%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,540
$1,429
How Does the Cole County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cole County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cole County's median effective tax rate of 1.13% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessor 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. Cole County's median tax rate is higher than Missouri's 1.25% state median tax rate, while the median property tax bill of $1,522 is $878 lower than the national median bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cole County.
Property Tax Rates Across Cole County, Missouri
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Cole County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Cole 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 Cole County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Missouri or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Cole County's median effective rate stands at 1.13%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Cole County, the highest rate is found in Jefferson City at 1.13%, while Wardsville has the lowest at 1.05%.
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 Cole County Tax Rate
1.13%
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 Missouri Tax Rate
1.25%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cole County, Missouri
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centertown | 1.03% | 1.05% | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.22% |
| Eugene | 1.03% | 1.05% | 1.06% | 1.06% | 1.06% |
| Henley | 1.00% | 1.04% | 1.06% | 1.06% | 1.06% |
| Jefferson City | 1.07% | 1.08% | 1.13% | 1.13% | 1.14% |
| Lohman | 1.08% | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.19% |
| Meta | 1.00% | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.10% |
| Russellville | 1.06% | 1.11% | 1.12% | 1.28% | 1.28% |
| Saint Thomas | 1.03% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.10% | 1.10% |
| Wardsville | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% | 1.05% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cole County, Missouri
When examining property taxes in Cole 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 Cole County 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 Cole County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
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 Cole County.
For example, the median tax bill in Cole County is $1,522, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Wardsville has the highest median home price at $197,500.
Median Cole County Market Value
$136,300
Median Missouri Market Value
$136,526
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cole County, Missouri
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centertown | $48,100 | $91,300 | $136,600 | $198,050 | $273,900 |
| Eugene | $24,700 | $77,200 | $136,700 | $187,700 | $285,960 |
| Henley | $30,120 | $75,550 | $138,900 | $207,600 | $282,760 |
| Jefferson City | $69,000 | $97,300 | $134,500 | $197,900 | $281,400 |
| Lohman | $75,940 | $119,325 | $173,350 | $280,500 | $401,560 |
| Meta | $61,860 | $128,100 | $164,600 | $228,150 | $275,460 |
| Russellville | $42,700 | $82,300 | $122,800 | $174,100 | $253,600 |
| Saint Thomas | $67,880 | $102,600 | $151,200 | $207,625 | $253,970 |
| Wardsville | $120,300 | $156,700 | $197,500 | $246,450 | $305,880 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cole County, Missouri
Property tax bills in Cole County are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the county’s tax rates to that assessed value to determine the final bill, so changes in home value can directly affect what a homeowner owes.
With a median home price of $136,300, property taxes can vary widely across the county. The median tax bill is $2,060 in Wardsville and $1,424 in Russellville, showing how location within the county can influence the amount due. Across Cole County, bills often fall between $1,090 at the 25th percentile and $2,231 at the 75th percentile, with the highest bills reaching $3,129 at the 90th percentile.
For homeowners, this means property taxes are a recurring cost that can rise when assessed values increase. Understanding how the bill is calculated helps homeowners better anticipate changes and compare their taxes with others in the county.
Median Cole County Tax Bill
$1,522
Median Missouri Tax Bill
$1,684
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cole County, Missouri
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centertown | $526 | $1,001 | $1,499 | $2,136 | $2,996 |
| Eugene | $270 | $814 | $1,443 | $1,984 | $3,019 |
| Henley | $314 | $777 | $1,441 | $2,171 | $2,934 |
| Jefferson City | $785 | $1,093 | $1,505 | $2,216 | $3,109 |
| Lohman | $870 | $1,352 | $1,953 | $3,157 | $4,528 |
| Meta | $509 | $1,406 | $1,807 | $2,497 | $2,977 |
| Russellville | $547 | $958 | $1,424 | $2,013 | $2,850 |
| Saint Thomas | $726 | $1,096 | $1,626 | $2,273 | $2,760 |
| Wardsville | $1,267 | $1,642 | $2,060 | $2,582 | $3,204 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 13 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cole Tax Assessor | |
| Website | colemo.devnetwedge.com |