Property Taxes in Forks, Washington
Median Forks, Washington effective property tax rate: 0.80%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Washington state median of 0.92%.
Median Forks, Washington home value: $70,538
Median annual Forks, Washington tax bill: $547, $1,853 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Jefferson calculated?
Property taxes in Forks, Washington 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 Forks's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Forks, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Forks Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Forks property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Forks' median effective tax rate of 0.80% — based on actual property records in Jefferson County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Forks' 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 Forks: rates range from 0.80% in 98331 to 0.80% in 98331, 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 Forks.
About Forks Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Forks, Jefferson, Washington
Forks' median effective property tax rate of 0.80% is lower than the Washington state median of 0.92% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Jefferson County base levy combined with local school district levies and Local improvement districts (LIDs) that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Forks. Homeowners in the 98331 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.80%, while those in 98331 pay 0.80%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Jefferson County. Understanding which part of Forks you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Forks homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the July 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 Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
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 Forks's effective property tax rate to other cities in Washington and the median property tax rates in Washington 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 Forks Tax Rate
0.80%
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 Jefferson County Tax Rate
0.83%
Median Effective Washington Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98331 | 0.68% | 0.76% | 0.80% | 0.85% | 0.93% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
When examining property taxes in Forks, Washington, 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Forks.
For example, the median home price in Forks is $70,538, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 98331 has the highest median home price at $70,538.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$70,538
$325,221
$579,903
Median Forks Market Value
$70,538
Median Jefferson County Market Value
$435,843
Median Washington Market Value
$501,600
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98331 | $18,699 | $32,112 | $70,538 | $137,972 | $261,003 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
Property tax bills in Forks are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rates set for Jefferson County. When a property’s market value changes, its assessed value can change too, which can affect the final bill. Homeowners in Forks should also consider that exemptions or other local adjustments may influence what they owe.
With a median home price of $70,538, property taxes can be a meaningful part of homeownership costs even in a lower-priced market. The typical tax bill in the area ranges from $270 at the 25th percentile to $976 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $2,034. The median tax bill in ZIP code 98331 is $547, showing how bills can vary within the city.
Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Forks homeowners often face lower tax bills overall, but the amount still depends on assessed value and local levy rates.
Median Forks Tax Bill
$547
Median Jefferson County Tax Bill
$3,575
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,512
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Forks, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98331 | $177 | $270 | $547 | $976 | $2,034 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Tax Assessor | |
| Website | trueweb.jeffcowa.us |