Columbia County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Median Columbia County effective property tax rate: 1.32%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Columbia County home value: $227,576
Median annual Columbia County tax bill: $2,842, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Columbia County calculated?
Property taxes in Columbia County 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.
What makes Columbia County property taxes different from the national average? Columbia County’s median effective property tax rate is 1.32%, above the national median of 1.02%, and the median annual tax bill is $2,842, which is higher than the national median bill of $2,400.
How does Columbia County compare with Wisconsin? Columbia County’s median effective property tax rate is lower than the Wisconsin median of 1.43%, but the median annual tax bill is still higher than the national median by $442.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Columbia County or another part of the county, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Columbia County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.32%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,004
$2,788
How Does the Columbia County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Columbia County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Columbia County's median effective tax rate of 1.32% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessment district assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Columbia County's median effective tax rate is higher than Wisconsin's 1.43%?
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Columbia County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Columbia County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Wisconsin or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Columbia County's median effective rate stands at 1.32%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Columbia County, the highest rate is found in Wisconsin Dells at 1.65%, while Portage has the lowest at 0.98%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
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 County Tax Rate
1.32%
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 Wisconsin Tax Rate
1.43%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 1.32% | 1.37% | 1.57% | 1.60% | 2.21% |
| Cambria | 1.29% | 1.36% | 1.53% | 1.84% | 1.94% |
| Columbus | 1.28% | 1.53% | 1.57% | 1.66% | 1.71% |
| Fall River | 1.18% | 1.19% | 1.25% | 1.32% | 1.36% |
| Lodi | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.22% | 1.55% | 1.67% |
| Merrimac | 1.01% | 1.04% | 1.06% | 1.07% | 1.08% |
| Pardeeville | 0.75% | 0.83% | 1.03% | 1.31% | 1.39% |
| Portage | 0.67% | 0.74% | 0.98% | 1.61% | 1.66% |
| Poynette | 1.21% | 1.24% | 1.29% | 1.67% | 1.71% |
| Prairie Du Sac | 1.02% | 1.02% | 1.06% | 1.10% | 1.10% |
| Randolph | 1.14% | 1.45% | 1.49% | 1.66% | 1.67% |
| Rio | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.26% | 1.54% | 1.70% |
| Wisconsin Dells | 1.17% | 1.42% | 1.65% | 1.66% | 1.69% |
| Friesland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wyocena | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
When examining property taxes in Columbia County, 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 Columbia 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 are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
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. The median tax bill in Columbia County is $2,842, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Lodi showing the highest median home price at $378,820.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
Source: Ownwell
$157,630
$268,225
$378,820
Median Columbia County Market Value
$227,576
Median Wisconsin Market Value
$237,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $173,132 | $196,101 | $227,366 | $295,086 | $377,918 |
| Cambria | $81,421 | $106,711 | $162,568 | $191,956 | $264,198 |
| Columbus | $121,457 | $155,220 | $221,006 | $329,211 | $365,581 |
| Fall River | $151,850 | $162,870 | $169,656 | $185,141 | $255,410 |
| Lodi | $213,510 | $260,134 | $378,820 | $532,778 | $797,531 |
| Merrimac | $128,269 | $178,840 | $235,611 | $488,224 | $556,766 |
| Pardeeville | $93,151 | $173,972 | $232,688 | $345,205 | $456,249 |
| Portage | $106,770 | $156,030 | $195,138 | $275,976 | $372,746 |
| Poynette | $90,890 | $158,058 | $253,218 | $425,270 | $599,564 |
| Prairie Du Sac | $137,618 | $283,872 | $346,474 | $365,633 | $565,583 |
| Randolph | $120,767 | $140,277 | $157,630 | $167,895 | $241,716 |
| Rio | $49,953 | $174,073 | $204,081 | $254,065 | $580,429 |
| Wisconsin Dells | $24,165 | $126,037 | $220,206 | $260,696 | $371,261 |
| Friesland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wyocena | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
Property tax bills in Columbia County, Wisconsin are based on a home’s assessed value, local tax rates, and the budgets set by taxing jurisdictions. The assessed value is the starting point, and the final bill is calculated by applying the combined local levy to that value. Because tax rates can vary by municipality and school district, two similar homes can receive different bills.
For homeowners, this means the amount owed can change even if the home itself has not changed much. In Columbia County, the median home price is $227,576, and property tax bills vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $1,923, while the 75th percentile is $4,459. At the high end, the 90th percentile reaches $6,274. The highest median tax bill is $4,929 in Lodi, compared with $2,241 in Portage.
Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, many Columbia County homeowners pay more, making accurate assessments especially important.
Median Columbia County Tax Bill
$2,842
Median Wisconsin Tax Bill
$3,453
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | $2,960 | $3,096 | $3,546 | $5,039 | $6,057 |
| Cambria | $1,175 | $1,575 | $2,364 | $3,167 | $3,879 |
| Columbus | $1,743 | $2,390 | $3,126 | $5,056 | $5,772 |
| Fall River | $1,858 | $2,014 | $2,245 | $2,328 | $3,208 |
| Lodi | $2,710 | $3,772 | $4,929 | $6,607 | $9,901 |
| Merrimac | $1,331 | $1,840 | $2,504 | $5,262 | $5,753 |
| Pardeeville | $1,124 | $1,820 | $2,576 | $3,016 | $4,695 |
| Portage | $1,113 | $1,386 | $2,241 | $3,048 | $4,372 |
| Poynette | $1,106 | $2,246 | $3,503 | $6,321 | $7,727 |
| Prairie Du Sac | $1,474 | $2,986 | $3,559 | $4,032 | $6,016 |
| Randolph | $1,922 | $2,121 | $2,375 | $2,612 | $3,306 |
| Rio | $2,107 | $2,714 | $2,917 | $3,330 | $7,836 |
| Wisconsin Dells | $344 | $2,004 | $3,482 | $4,256 | $5,287 |
| Friesland | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wyocena | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 27 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Columbia Tax Assessor | |
| Website | ascent.co.columbia.wi.us |