Columbia County, Wisconsin Property Taxes
Median Columbia County effective property tax rate: 1.43%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Median Columbia County home value: $201,380. Median annual Columbia County tax bill: $2,882, $482 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. Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Portage or another part of Columbia County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
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
Ownwell’s Columbia County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Columbia County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Columbia County’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 more 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 Columbia County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia County, Wisconsin
Local government entities in Wisconsin set property tax rates, and these can vary significantly within the state. The process involves each county estimating its required budget to provide essential services and dividing 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, this is the annual process in a nutshell. Columbia County's effective property tax rate is 1.43%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Wisconsin, the highest median tax rate can be found in Randolph at 1.93%, while Portage offers a more modest rate at 1.02%. Comparing Columbia County's rate to these figures highlights its position within the state and against the national landscape. Understanding these differences is crucial for property owners looking to manage their tax liabilities effectively.
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: In Columbia County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 County. For example, the median tax bill in Columbia County is $3,456, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Prairie du Sac has the highest median home price at $344,951.
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
In Columbia County, WI, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local assessor. The assessed value is a percentage of the market value, reflecting what the property could sell for under normal conditions. The tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to determine the tax bill. The county's median home price stands at $201,380, with property tax bills varying significantly. At the 25th percentile, homeowners pay around $1,928, while those at the 75th percentile face bills of approximately $4,519. The 90th percentile sees even higher bills, reaching $6,262. Lodi reports the highest median tax bill in the county at $4,889, contrasting with Cambria's lower median bill of $2,082. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and a median bill of $2,400, Columbia County presents a diverse range of tax obligations. This variability in tax bills directly impacts homeowners' financial planning and property affordability.
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