Vilas County, Wisconsin Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Vilas County, Wisconsin
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Vilas County effective property tax rate: 0.71%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Vilas County home value: $234,100
Median annual Vilas County tax bill: $1,974, $426 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Vilas County calculated?

Property taxes in Vilas 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 Eagle River or another part of Vilas County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Vilas County, Wisconsin Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.71%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,662

$1,542

Ownwell’s Vilas County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Vilas County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Vilas 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 Vilas County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

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 Vilas County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Wisconsin or the U.S. median property tax rate.

Vilas County boasts a median property tax rate of 0.71%, which is significantly lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This positions Vilas County as an attractive location for property owners seeking lower tax burdens. Within the county, Phelps has the highest median tax rate at 0.87%, while Eagle River offers the lowest at 0.70%. These figures highlight the variance in tax rates even within a single county, emphasizing the importance of understanding local tax dynamics when considering property investments.

Property Tax Rates Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

0.70%

0.79%

0.87%

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 Vilas County Tax Rate

0.71%

Median Effective Wisconsin Tax Rate

1.58%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arbor Vitae	0.41%	0.67%	0.77%	0.78%	0.79%
Conover	0.83%	0.85%	0.86%	0.87%	0.90%
Eagle River	0.65%	0.66%	0.70%	0.72%	1.35%
Land O Lakes	0.69%	0.73%	0.74%	0.75%	0.86%
Phelps	0.83%	0.86%	0.87%	0.90%	0.97%
Sayner	0.68%	0.70%	0.75%	0.76%	0.77%
Star Lake	0.73%	0.75%	0.76%	0.77%	0.77%
Boulder Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lac Du Flambeau	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manitowish Waters	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Minocqua	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Presque Isle	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Saint Germain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Winchester	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Woodruff	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

When examining property taxes in Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas County.

For example, the median tax bill in Vilas County is $2,074, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Star Lake has the highest median home price at $270,950.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$171,100

$221,025

$270,950

Median Vilas County Market Value

$234,100

Median Wisconsin Market Value

$200,300

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arbor Vitae	$10,100	$32,350	$171,100	$255,600	$444,400
Conover	$80,300	$135,600	$217,200	$333,400	$512,100
Eagle River	$64,500	$139,200	$235,900	$374,300	$539,240
Land O Lakes	$33,280	$106,200	$197,800	$342,850	$552,640
Phelps	$49,680	$112,400	$207,600	$338,900	$484,040
Sayner	$31,000	$121,650	$192,200	$352,025	$712,800
Star Lake	$75,870	$153,500	$270,950	$488,675	$742,230
Boulder Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lac Du Flambeau	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manitowish Waters	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Minocqua	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Presque Isle	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Saint Germain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Winchester	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Woodruff	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

In Vilas County, WI, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property and the local tax rate. The median home price in the county stands at $234,100, influencing the overall tax bill. Homeowners typically pay a median property tax bill of $2,074 in Star Lake, the highest in the county, while Arbor Vitae has the lowest median tax bill at $1,321. These figures reflect the variation in property values and tax rates across different areas within the county. The tax bill is determined by multiplying the property's assessed value by the local tax rate, which is set by various taxing authorities such as schools, municipalities, and special districts. This calculation means that homeowners with properties assessed at higher values will generally pay more in property taxes, impacting their overall housing costs. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Vilas County's figures indicate a relatively moderate tax burden for its residents.

Property Tax Bills Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

Source: Ownwell

$1,321

$1,698

$2,074

Median Vilas County Tax Bill

$1,974

Median Wisconsin Tax Bill

$3,346

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Vilas County, Wisconsin

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Arbor Vitae	$51	$250	$1,321	$2,028	$3,579
Conover	$732	$1,216	$1,916	$2,932	$4,525
Eagle River	$764	$1,206	$1,843	$2,816	$4,000
Land O Lakes	$373	$890	$1,526	$2,570	$4,193
Phelps	$573	$1,117	$1,921	$3,068	$4,482
Sayner	$570	$1,028	$1,505	$2,962	$5,671
Star Lake	$591	$1,171	$2,074	$3,803	$5,748
Boulder Junction	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lac Du Flambeau	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Manitowish Waters	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Minocqua	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Presque Isle	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Saint Germain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Winchester	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Woodruff	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell