Property Taxes in Stillwater, Pennsylvania
Median Stillwater, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 4.60%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Stillwater, Pennsylvania home value: $72,940
Median annual Stillwater, Pennsylvania tax bill: $3,406, $1,006 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Columbia calculated?
Property taxes in Stillwater, Pennsylvania 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 Stillwater's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Stillwater, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Stillwater Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Stillwater property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Stillwater's median effective tax rate of 4.60% — based on actual property records in Columbia County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Stillwater'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 Stillwater: rates range from 4.60% in 17878 to 4.60% in 17878, 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 Stillwater.
About Stillwater Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Stillwater, Columbia, Pennsylvania
Stillwater’s median effective property tax rate of 4.60% is higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Columbia County base levy combined with local school district levies and special taxing districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Stillwater. Homeowners in the 17878 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 4.60%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 4.60%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Columbia County. Understanding which part of Stillwater you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Stillwater homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the August 1, 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 Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
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 Stillwater's effective property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the median property tax rates in Pennsylvania 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 Stillwater Tax Rate
4.60%
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 Columbia County Tax Rate
3.94%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17878 | 4.57% | 4.60% | 4.60% | 4.70% | 4.70% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Stillwater, Pennsylvania, 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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. For example, the median home price in Stillwater is $72,940, with a median tax bill of $3,406. The highest median home price is in 17878 at $72,940.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$13,267
$55,625
$97,982
Median Stillwater Market Value
$72,940
Median Columbia County Market Value
$61,025
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17878 | $29,946 | $47,701 | $72,940 | $104,721 | $143,044 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in Stillwater are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the county and other taxing authorities. For a home with a median market value of $72,940, the tax bill reflects how much of that value is taxed after assessment rules are applied. Homeowners in the area typically see bills that vary widely depending on property value and location, with the 25th percentile at $2,196, the 75th percentile at $4,866, and the 90th percentile at $6,645.
The amount a homeowner pays is shaped by factors such as the home’s assessed value, exemptions, and the local millage rate. In Columbia County, the highest and lowest median tax bill is $3,406.00 in ZIP code 17878. Because property taxes are tied to assessed value, a higher assessment can lead to a larger bill, which can significantly affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability for homeowners.
Median Stillwater Tax Bill
$3,406
Median Columbia County Tax Bill
$2,456
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Stillwater, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17878 | $1,370 | $2,196 | $3,406 | $4,866 | $6,645 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Columbia Tax Assessor | |
| Website | gismaps.columbiapa.org |