Property Taxes in Waterford, Pennsylvania
Median Waterford, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 2.28%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Waterford, Pennsylvania home value: $120,000
Median annual Waterford, Pennsylvania tax bill: $2,823, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Erie calculated?
Property taxes in Waterford, 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 Waterford's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Waterford, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Waterford Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Waterford property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Waterford's median effective tax rate of 2.28% — based on actual property records in Erie County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Waterford'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 Waterford: rates range from 2.28% in 16441 to 2.28% in 16441, 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 Waterford.
About Waterford Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Waterford, Erie, Pennsylvania
Waterford’s median effective property tax rate of 2.28% is lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Erie 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 Waterford. Homeowners in the 16441 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.28%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 2.28%. This spread — 0 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Erie County. Understanding which part of Waterford you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Waterford homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local 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 Waterford, Erie 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 Waterford'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 Waterford Tax Rate
2.28%
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 Erie County Tax Rate
2.79%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16441 | 2.19% | 2.28% | 2.28% | 2.29% | 2.45% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Waterford, 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 Erie 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 Erie County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 Waterford.
For example, the median home price in Waterford is $120,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 16441 has the highest median home price at $120,000.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$33,910
$104,138
$174,365
Median Waterford Market Value
$120,000
Median Erie County Market Value
$99,200
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16441 | $21,200 | $76,995 | $120,000 | $172,850 | $237,160 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Waterford property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the home’s assessed value by the local tax rate, then applying any exemptions or adjustments. The assessed value is based on the property’s market value, and local taxing authorities use that figure to determine how much a homeowner owes each year. In Erie County, the median home price is $120,000, and the median property tax bill is $2,823, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and close to the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Several factors can affect the final bill, including the home’s assessed value, the tax rate set by local governments, and whether the property qualifies for exemptions. For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value can lead to a larger tax bill, while a lower assessment or eligible exemption can reduce what is owed. In Waterford, property tax bills vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $1,814 and the 90th percentile at $5,491.
Median Waterford Tax Bill
$2,823
Median Erie County Tax Bill
$3,131
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16441 | $490 | $1,814 | $2,823 | $4,123 | $5,491 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | August 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Erie Tax Assessor | |
| Website | public.eriecountypa.gov |