Property Taxes in Ethel, Washington
Median Ethel, Washington effective property tax rate: 0.64%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Washington state median of 0.92%.
Median Ethel, Washington home value: $379,900
Median annual Ethel, Washington tax bill: $2,428, $28 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lewis calculated?
Property taxes in Ethel, 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 Ethel's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Ethel, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Ethel Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Ethel property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Ethel's median effective tax rate of 0.64% — based on actual property records in Lewis 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 Ethel's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Ethel's rate is lower than Washington's 0.92% state median tax rate, while the median property tax bill of $2,428 is $28 higher than the state median bill. Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Ethel, with the highest and lowest median tax bill both at $2,428 in 98542.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Ethel.
About Ethel Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Ethel, Lewis, Washington
Ethel’s median effective property tax rate of 0.64% is lower than the Washington state median of 0.92% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Lewis 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 Ethel. Homeowners in the 98542 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.64%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 0.64%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Lewis County. Understanding which part of Ethel you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Ethel 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 Ethel, Lewis 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 Ethel'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 Ethel Tax Rate
0.64%
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 Lewis County Tax Rate
0.70%
Median Effective Washington Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98542 | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.67% | 0.68% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
When examining property taxes in Ethel, 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 Lewis 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 Lewis County, assessment notices are sent in October each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of October.
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 Ethel is $379,900, with a median tax bill of $2,428. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,424, the 75th percentile tax bill is $3,265, and the 90th percentile tax bill is $3,902. The highest median home price is in 98542 at $379,900.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
Source: Ownwell
$112,400
$271,150
$429,900
Median Ethel Market Value
$379,900
Median Lewis County Market Value
$329,400
Median Washington Market Value
$501,600
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98542 | $127,680 | $242,300 | $379,900 | $502,100 | $617,780 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
Property tax bills in Ethel are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Lewis County. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change as well, which affects the final bill homeowners receive. For a home with a median price of $379,900, the tax bill can vary widely depending on exemptions, local levies, and how the property is classified.
In Ethel, the typical property tax bill is $2,428, which is close to the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Bills in the area also show a broad range, with the 25th percentile at $1,424 and the 75th percentile at $3,265. At the 90th percentile, bills reach $3,902, showing how much taxes can differ from one homeowner to another.
Median Ethel Tax Bill
$2,428
Median Lewis County Tax Bill
$2,244
Median Washington Tax Bill
$4,512
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Ethel, Lewis County, Washington
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98542 | $469 | $1,424 | $2,428 | $3,265 | $3,902 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
| Tax Bill | |
| Issued | February 10 |
| Due Date #1 | April 30 |
| Due Date #2 | October 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lewis Tax Assessor | |
| Website | parcels.lewiscountywa.gov |