Property Taxes in Port Townsend, Washington
Median Port Townsend, Washington effective property tax rate: 0.90%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Washington state median of 0.92%.
Median Port Townsend, Washington home value: $483,660
Median annual Port Townsend, Washington tax bill: $4,198, $1,798 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Jefferson calculated?
Property taxes in Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Port Townsend, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Port Townsend Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Port Townsend property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Port Townsend's median effective tax rate of 0.90% — 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 Port Townsend'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 Port Townsend: rates range from 0.90% in 98368 to 0.90% in 98368, 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 Port Townsend.
About Port Townsend Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Port Townsend, Jefferson, Washington
Port Townsend's median effective property tax rate of 0.90% 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 Port Townsend. Homeowners in the 98368 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.90%, while those in 98368 pay 0.90%. 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 Port Townsend you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Port Townsend homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before July 1, 2026.
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 Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend'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 ÷ 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 Port Townsend Tax Rate
0.90%
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 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 Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98368 | 0.81% | 0.88% | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
When examining property taxes in Port Townsend, 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 assessor 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 Port Townsend.
For example, the median home price in Port Townsend is $483,660, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 98368 has the highest median home price at $483,660.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$70,538
$325,221
$579,903
Median Port Townsend Market Value
$483,660
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 Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98368 | $242,612 | $347,482 | $483,660 | $653,170 | $842,701 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
How are property tax bills calculated in Port Townsend?
Property tax bills in Port Townsend are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rates set by Jefferson County and other taxing districts. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase as well, which may lead to a higher bill. For a home with a median price of $483,660, the tax bill can vary widely depending on location, exemptions, and the mix of local levies.
What factors affect the amount homeowners pay?
The biggest factors are the home’s assessed value, the tax rate, and any available exemptions. In Port Townsend, the 25th percentile tax bill is $2,872, while the 75th percentile is $5,737 and the 90th percentile is $7,478. The median tax bill in ZIP code 98368 is $4,198, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects how local assessments can create a heavier burden for homeowners.
Property Tax Bills Across Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$547
$2,529
$4,510
Median Port Townsend Tax Bill
$4,198
Median Jefferson County Tax Bill
$3,575
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,512
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98368 | $1,497 | $2,872 | $4,198 | $5,737 | $7,478 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Tax Assessor | |
| Website | trueweb.jeffcowa.us |