Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Columbus, Nebraska
Median Columbus, Nebraska effective property tax rate: 0.75%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Nebraska state median of 1.39%.
Median Columbus, Nebraska home value: $162,105
Median annual Columbus, Nebraska tax bill: $1,225, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Butler calculated?
Property taxes in Columbus, Nebraska 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 Columbus's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Columbus, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.75%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,216
$1,128
How Does the Columbus Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Columbus property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Columbus's median effective tax rate of 0.75% — based on actual property records in Butler County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessor uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Columbus'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 Columbus: rates range from 0.75% in 68601 to 0.75% in 68601, 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 Columbus.
About Columbus Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Columbus, Butler, Nebraska
Columbus's median effective property tax rate of 0.75% is lower than the Nebraska state median of 1.39% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Butler County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Columbus. Homeowners in the 68601 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.75%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 0.75%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Butler County. Understanding which part of Columbus you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Columbus homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the June 30, 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 Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
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 Columbus's effective property tax rate to other cities in Nebraska and the median property tax rates in Nebraska 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 Columbus Tax Rate
0.75%
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 Butler County Tax Rate
1.16%
Median Effective Nebraska Tax Rate
1.39%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68601 | 0.74% | 0.74% | 0.75% | 1.09% | 1.17% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
When examining property taxes in Columbus, Nebraska, 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 Butler 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 Butler County, assessment notices are sent in June each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of June.
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 Columbus.
For example, the median home price in Columbus is $162,105, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 68601 has the highest median home price at $162,105.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
Source: Ownwell
$45,075
$176,030
$306,985
Median Columbus Market Value
$162,105
Median Butler County Market Value
$157,312
Median Nebraska Market Value
$199,100
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68601 | $34,604 | $75,404 | $162,105 | $282,966 | $335,269 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
Property tax bills in Columbus are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Butler County and other taxing authorities. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase as well, which may lead to a higher tax bill. For homeowners, this means the amount owed is tied not just to the home itself, but also to how local governments fund services through property taxes.
With a median home price of $162,105, the typical tax burden in Columbus is shaped by where a home falls within the local market. The 25th percentile tax bill is $563, while the 75th percentile is $2,619 and the 90th percentile is $3,617. The highest and lowest median tax bill listed is $1,225 in ZIP code 68601. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400, Columbus homeowners may see bills that vary widely depending on assessed value and location.
Median Columbus Tax Bill
$1,225
Median Butler County Tax Bill
$1,593
Median Nebraska Tax Bill
$2,896
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Columbus, Butler County, Nebraska
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68601 | $277 | $563 | $1,225 | $2,619 | $3,617 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Butler Tax Assessor | |
| Website | butler.gworks.com |