Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Columbia, PA effective property tax rate: 3.74%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.81%.
Median Columbia, PA home value: $118,800
Median annual Columbia, PA tax bill: $3,403, $1,003 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Lancaster calculated?

Property taxes in Columbia, PA 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 Columbia’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Columbia, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

3.74%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,443

$4,123

Ownwell’s Columbia Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Columbia with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Columbia’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Lancaster County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

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 Columbia’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the median property tax rates in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Columbia, located in Lancaster County, has a median property tax rate of 3.74%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. This means property owners in Columbia face higher tax bills compared to the national average, even though the median property tax bill in the U.S. is $2400. While Pennsylvania's property tax rates can vary, Columbia stands out with its notably high rate. Understanding these rates can help property owners in Columbia make informed decisions about their tax obligations and potential savings opportunities through appeals or exemptions.

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

1.45%

2.59%

3.74%

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 Tax Rate

3.74%

Median Effective Lancaster County Tax Rate

2.13%

Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate

2.81%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
17512	2.15%	2.15%	3.74%	3.74%	3.74%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

When examining property taxes in Columbia, PA, 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 Lancaster 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. In Lancaster 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 Columbia. For example, the median home price in Columbia is $118,800, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 17512 has the highest median home price at $118,800.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

$118,800

$189,350

$259,900

Median Columbia Market Value

$118,800

Median Lancaster County Market Value

$177,300

Median Pennsylvania Market Value

$114,400

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
17512	$53,550	$73,600	$118,800	$173,200	$244,600

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

In Columbia, Lancaster County, PA, property tax bills are determined by assessing the property's value and applying the local tax rate. The assessed value is based on the market value of a home, which in Columbia, has a median price of $118,800. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to calculate the annual property tax bill. Homeowners in this area face a median tax bill that can range significantly. For example, those at the 25th percentile pay around $2,509, while the 75th percentile sees bills up to $4,733, and the 90th percentile can reach $6,024. This variation can affect homeowners' budgets significantly. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Columbia's property taxes can be considerably higher. Ownwell can assist homeowners by reviewing their property assessments and identifying potential errors or opportunities for exemptions, ultimately helping to reduce their tax burden. By appealing the assessed value, Ownwell can help ensure homeowners are not overpaying, potentially saving them hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

$2,365

$4,201

$6,036

Median Columbia Tax Bill

$3,403

Median Lancaster County Tax Bill

$3,883

Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill

$3,063

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
17512	$1,898	$2,509	$3,403	$4,733	$6,024

Source: Ownwell