Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cathay, North Dakota
Median Cathay, North Dakota effective property tax rate: 0.43%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Dakota state median of 1.20%.
Median Cathay, North Dakota home value: $136,120
Median annual Cathay, North Dakota tax bill: $377, lower by $2,023 than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Wells County calculated?
Property taxes in Cathay, North Dakota 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 Cathay's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cathay, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.43%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$585
$543
How Does the Cathay Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cathay property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cathay's median effective tax rate of 0.43% — based on actual property records in Wells 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 Cathay'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 Cathay: rates range across local districts, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts. Cathay's median property tax rate is lower than North Dakota's 1.20% median rate, and the median tax bill of $377 is lower than the state median by $2,023.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cathay.
About Cathay Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cathay, Wells, North Dakota
Cathay’s median effective property tax rate of 0.43% is lower than the North Dakota state median of 1.20% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Wells County 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 Cathay. Homeowners in the highest ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.43%, while those in the lowest ZIP code pay 0.43%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Wells County. Understanding which part of Cathay you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cathay homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the April 15, 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 Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
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 Cathay's effective property tax rate to other cities in North Dakota and the median property tax rates in North Dakota and the U.S.
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 Cathay Tax Rate
0.43%
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 Wells County Tax Rate
0.67%
Median Effective North Dakota Tax Rate
1.20%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58422 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
When examining property taxes in Cathay, North Dakota, 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 Wells 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.
Assessment notices:
In Wells County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 Cathay.
For example, the median home price in Cathay is $136,120, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Cathay’s median tax bill is $377, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
Source: Ownwell
$40,820
$186,240
$331,660
Median Cathay Market Value
$136,120
Median Wells County Market Value
$129,080
Median North Dakota Market Value
$244,000
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58422 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
How are property tax bills calculated in Cathay?
Property tax bills in Cathay are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Wells County. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill can increase as well, even if the homeowner’s income stays the same. The amount owed is determined by applying the tax rate to the assessed value, so two homes with different market values may not receive the same bill.
What factors affect the bill? The biggest factor is the home’s assessed value, but local taxing jurisdictions also play a role in the final amount. For Cathay homeowners, the median home price is $136,120, while property tax bills vary widely across the area. The 25th percentile tax bill is $79, the 75th percentile is $1,088, and the 90th percentile reaches $2,073.
How does this affect homeowners? A higher assessment can lead to a larger tax burden, making it important to understand how the bill is calculated.
Median Cathay Tax Bill
$377
Median Wells County Tax Bill
$821
Median North Dakota Tax Bill
$2,769
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cathay, Wells County, North Dakota
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58422 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Wells Tax Assessor | |
| Website | ndtax.biz |