Wisconsin property taxes by county
Across Wisconsin, the median owner-occupied home pays $3,792 a year in real-estate taxes on a median home value of $266,500 — an effective property-tax rate of 1.423%. That ranks Wisconsin #9 of 51 states and the District of Columbia (1 = highest). This page carries all 72 Wisconsin county-equivalents in the Census data — 72 with a published effective rate — sortable by rate, taxes paid, home value, income, or five-year change. 7 of them also carry a full detail card here — every median with its Census margin of error, both rankings, the six nearest counties, and the five-year change. It also sets out how property tax actually works in Wisconsin: how property is assessed, which exemptions exist and who qualifies, the deadline and body for an appeal, and the payment schedule and penalties — each hand-sourced from official Wisconsin sources. Figures are U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates.
- Effective tax rate
- 1.423%
- Median real-estate taxes
- $3,792 ± $12
- Median home value
- $266,500
- Median household income
- $77,485
- National rank
- #9 of 51
- County-equivalents
- 72
Median real-estate taxes ÷ median home value — a ratio of two independently-estimated medians, not a statutory (millage) rate.
How property tax varies across Wisconsin
Across Wisconsin's 72 county-equivalents with a published rate, the effective property-tax rate runs from 3.563% in Menominee County down to 0.732% in Vilas County — a 4.9× spread inside a single state, which is why a statewide average tells a buyer very little.
The largest median real-estate tax bill in Wisconsin is $6,420 in Dane County, which ranks #5 of 72 by RATE — while the state's highest rate, 3.563%, is in Menominee County, where the median bill is $3,926. Dollars and rate are different questions and rank counties differently.
Measured against the national median effective rate of 0.937%, 68 of Wisconsin's 72 ranked counties sit above it and 4 below. Wisconsin as a whole ranks #9 of 51 (1 = highest).
Median home value statewide is $266,500, but within Wisconsin it ranges from $398,200 in Waukesha County to $110,200 in Menominee County — the denominator of the effective rate, and the main reason two counties with similar bills can show very different rates.
Statewide, the median real-estate tax bill equals about 4.9% of median household income. That share is heaviest in Dane County (7.1%) and lightest in Iron County (2.9%).
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015–2019 and 2020–2024, median real-estate taxes rose by a statistically significant amount in 67 of Wisconsin's 72 counties with a comparable trend, fell significantly in 0, and showed no statistically significant change in 5.
Estimate a Wisconsin property tax bill
A median-based estimate, not a quote, an assessment, or a tax bill — it cannot know your assessed value, exemptions, or special districts. How this is computed.
Every Wisconsin county
All 72 Wisconsin county-equivalents in the Census data (72 with a published effective rate). Click a column heading to sort. Counties in bold have a full detail card further down this page — margins of error, nearby counties, and their five-year trend.
| Menominee County | 3.563% | $3,926 | $4,820 | — | $110,200 | $62,108 | 6.3% | #1 | #1 | +13.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee County | 1.926% | $4,444 | $4,534 | $4,255 | $230,700 | $64,435 | 6.9% | #2 | #109 | +14.3% |
| Racine County | 1.630% | $4,099 | $4,247 | $3,855 | $251,400 | $78,096 | 5.3% | #3 | #236 | +13.5% |
| Winnebago County | 1.629% | $3,679 | $3,627 | $3,767 | $225,800 | $74,925 | 4.9% | #4 | #237 | +18.4% |
| Dane County | 1.626% | $6,420 | $6,441 | $6,374 | $394,800 | $89,975 | 7.1% | #5 | #241 | +24.8% |
| Green County | 1.600% | $4,003 | $4,069 | $3,922 | $250,200 | $82,852 | 4.8% | #6 | #261 | +13.9% |
| Rock County | 1.599% | $3,703 | $3,749 | $3,625 | $231,600 | $75,673 | 4.9% | #7 | #262 | +22.1% |
| Kenosha County | 1.574% | $4,179 | $4,253 | $4,025 | $265,500 | $81,239 | 5.1% | #8 | #282 | +12% |
| Lafayette County | 1.570% | $3,053 | $3,166 | $2,908 | $194,500 | $76,462 | 4.0% | #9 | #285 | +11% |
| Crawford County | 1.560% | $2,861 | $2,930 | $2,802 | $183,400 | $64,094 | 4.5% | #10 | #292 | +6.1% |
| Trempealeau County | 1.556% | $3,372 | $3,451 | $3,281 | $216,700 | $76,313 | 4.4% | #11 | #295 | +19.2% |
| La Crosse County | 1.536% | $3,947 | $4,023 | $3,837 | $257,000 | $73,013 | 5.4% | #13 | #306 | +16.2% |
| Wood County | 1.536% | $2,697 | $2,745 | $2,633 | $175,600 | $67,989 | 4.0% | #12 | #305 | +9.2% |
| Iowa County | 1.524% | $4,038 | $4,103 | $3,943 | $265,000 | $82,182 | 4.9% | #14 | #316 | +15.3% |
| Fond du Lac County | 1.510% | $3,365 | $3,370 | $3,359 | $222,800 | $74,275 | 4.5% | #15 | #332 | +11.7% |
| Dodge County | 1.476% | $3,422 | $3,390 | $3,474 | $231,900 | $75,929 | 4.5% | #16 | #368 | +11.9% |
| Juneau County | 1.466% | $2,605 | $2,597 | $2,616 | $177,700 | $67,270 | 3.9% | #17 | #384 | +15.9% |
| Marathon County | 1.465% | $3,218 | $3,309 | $3,078 | $219,600 | $77,884 | 4.1% | #18 | #385 | +12.8% |
| Jefferson County | 1.461% | $4,005 | $4,081 | $3,894 | $274,100 | $83,750 | 4.8% | #19 | #390 | +13.9% |
| Sauk County | 1.452% | $3,755 | $3,860 | $3,530 | $258,600 | $79,541 | 4.7% | #20 | #401 | +15.7% |
| Clark County | 1.450% | $2,505 | $2,568 | $2,432 | $172,800 | $67,400 | 3.7% | #21 | #408 | +12.4% |
| Manitowoc County | 1.442% | $2,695 | $2,653 | $2,754 | $186,900 | $69,148 | 3.9% | #22 | #420 | +6.8% |
| Kewaunee County | 1.436% | $3,190 | $3,192 | $3,188 | $222,200 | $82,725 | 3.9% | #24 | #426 | +14.6% |
| Portage County | 1.436% | $3,492 | $3,570 | $3,380 | $243,100 | $76,070 | 4.6% | #23 | #425 | +26.2% |
| Ashland County | 1.417% | $2,413 | $2,574 | $2,153 | $170,300 | $62,462 | 3.9% | #25 | #444 | +19.3% |
| Calumet County | 1.414% | $3,877 | $4,067 | $3,646 | $274,200 | $88,810 | 4.4% | #26 | #452 | +16% |
| Taylor County | 1.394% | $2,748 | $2,843 | $2,649 | $197,100 | $69,350 | 4.0% | #27 | #473 | +14.7% |
| Sheboygan County | 1.391% | $3,236 | $3,197 | $3,296 | $232,700 | $73,094 | 4.4% | #28 | #475 | +8.8% |
| Dunn County | 1.390% | $3,380 | $3,412 | $3,312 | $243,200 | $74,824 | 4.5% | #29 | #477 | +12% |
| Jackson County | 1.390% | $2,725 | $2,651 | $2,830 | $196,100 | $68,110 | 4.0% | #30 | #478 | +16.7% |
| Richland County | 1.385% | $2,735 | $2,822 | $2,639 | $197,500 | $66,420 | 4.1% | #31 | #483 | +18.1% |
| Waupaca County | 1.383% | $2,924 | $2,903 | $2,962 | $211,400 | $72,830 | 4.0% | #32 | #484 | +7.4% |
| Brown County | 1.377% | $3,663 | $3,735 | $3,536 | $266,000 | $79,649 | 4.6% | #33 | #487 | +14.8% |
| Outagamie County | 1.372% | $3,668 | $3,719 | $3,589 | $267,300 | $85,069 | 4.3% | #34 | #498 | +17.8% |
| Pierce County | 1.364% | $4,551 | $4,679 | $4,298 | $333,700 | $92,109 | 4.9% | #35 | #509 | +18.9% |
| Shawano County | 1.363% | $2,644 | $2,641 | $2,649 | $194,000 | $66,479 | 4.0% | #36 | #511 | +15.1% |
| Columbia County | 1.361% | $3,855 | $3,909 | $3,723 | $283,200 | $85,351 | 4.5% | #37 | #512 | +13.9% |
| Grant County | 1.360% | $2,729 | $2,752 | $2,705 | $200,700 | $66,858 | 4.1% | #39 | #514 | +9.5% |
| Pepin County | 1.360% | $2,922 | $2,911 | $2,937 | $214,800 | $75,256 | 3.9% | #38 | #513 | +6.6% |
| Eau Claire County | 1.346% | $3,514 | $3,593 | $3,411 | $261,000 | $74,546 | 4.7% | #40 | #529 | +17.5% |
| Monroe County | 1.346% | $2,826 | $2,938 | $2,696 | $210,000 | $69,467 | 4.1% | #41 | #531 | +6.8% |
| Walworth County | 1.333% | $4,036 | $4,069 | $3,972 | $302,700 | $80,520 | 5.0% | #42 | #550 | +11.5% |
| Vernon County | 1.331% | $2,978 | $3,147 | $2,814 | $223,800 | $71,893 | 4.1% | #43 | #551 | +12.9% |
| Lincoln County | 1.323% | $2,549 | $2,587 | $2,511 | $192,700 | $68,164 | 3.7% | #45 | #558 | +8.7% |
| Price County | 1.323% | $2,150 | $2,290 | $2,037 | $162,500 | $60,546 | 3.5% | #44 | #557 | +10.7% |
| Buffalo County | 1.316% | $2,808 | $2,793 | $2,824 | $213,300 | $70,479 | 4.0% | #46 | #575 | +9% |
| Barron County | 1.313% | $2,843 | $2,814 | $2,874 | $216,600 | $65,933 | 4.3% | #47 | #579 | +13.4% |
| Marquette County | 1.264% | $2,659 | $2,653 | $2,672 | $210,400 | $65,681 | 4.0% | #48 | #653 | +1.7% |
| Douglas County | 1.263% | $2,599 | $2,634 | $2,528 | $205,800 | $75,099 | 3.5% | #49 | #655 | +8.3% |
| Green Lake County | 1.262% | $2,718 | $2,677 | $2,798 | $215,400 | $68,196 | 4.0% | #50 | #657 | +8.5% |
| Langlade County | 1.247% | $1,972 | $1,971 | $1,972 | $158,200 | $55,878 | 3.5% | #51 | #678 | +11% |
| Waushara County | 1.213% | $2,464 | $2,479 | $2,443 | $203,100 | $67,107 | 3.7% | #52 | #720 | +6.7% |
| Florence County | 1.210% | $2,096 | $2,004 | $2,172 | $173,200 | $61,086 | 3.4% | #53 | #726 | +10.6% |
| Marinette County | 1.202% | $1,907 | $1,980 | $1,817 | $158,600 | $63,809 | 3.0% | #54 | #733 | +7.6% |
| Adams County | 1.199% | $2,407 | $2,526 | $2,271 | $200,800 | $59,442 | 4.0% | #55 | #738 | +14.9% |
| Ozaukee County | 1.187% | $4,631 | $4,702 | $4,497 | $390,200 | $96,996 | 4.8% | #56 | #752 | +9.9% |
| Oconto County | 1.178% | $2,727 | $2,844 | $2,558 | $231,400 | $75,049 | 3.6% | #57 | #764 | +17.4% |
| St. Croix County | 1.170% | $4,420 | $4,455 | $4,321 | $377,700 | $103,046 | 4.3% | #58 | #776 | +25.2% |
| Waukesha County | 1.144% | $4,554 | $4,595 | $4,481 | $398,200 | $106,076 | 4.3% | #59 | #825 | +9.8% |
| Polk County | 1.131% | $3,075 | $3,109 | $3,008 | $271,900 | $77,219 | 4.0% | #60 | #847 | +14.3% |
| Rusk County | 1.122% | $1,834 | $1,887 | $1,761 | $163,400 | $59,944 | 3.1% | #61 | #857 | +6.9% |
| Washington County | 1.103% | $3,802 | $3,892 | $3,639 | $344,800 | $96,359 | 4.0% | #62 | #895 | +8.4% |
| Chippewa County | 1.085% | $2,798 | $2,848 | $2,743 | $257,900 | $74,680 | 3.8% | #63 | #934 | +13% |
| Forest County | 1.075% | $1,988 | $1,939 | $2,058 | $185,000 | $61,071 | 3.3% | #64 | #951 | +8% |
| Iron County | 1.066% | $1,768 | $1,770 | $1,764 | $165,900 | $60,625 | 2.9% | #65 | #969 | +4.1% |
| Washburn County | 1.051% | $2,377 | $2,288 | $2,491 | $226,100 | $63,441 | 3.8% | #66 | #1002 | +18.2% |
| Door County | 1.018% | $3,486 | $3,330 | $3,677 | $342,600 | $74,795 | 4.7% | #67 | #1072 | +29.9% |
| Bayfield County | 1.007% | $2,425 | $2,482 | $2,369 | $240,800 | $71,151 | 3.4% | #68 | #1100 | +10.1% |
| Burnett County | 0.925% | $2,140 | $2,202 | $2,081 | $231,300 | $62,819 | 3.4% | #69 | #1295 | +15.2% |
| Oneida County | 0.891% | $2,123 | $2,097 | $2,160 | $238,400 | $69,371 | 3.1% | #70 | #1374 | +3.6% |
| Sawyer County | 0.803% | $1,897 | $2,018 | $1,751 | $236,200 | $60,801 | 3.1% | #71 | #1574 | +9.1% |
| Vilas County | 0.732% | $2,197 | $2,076 | $2,337 | $300,000 | $68,431 | 3.2% | #72 | #1778 | +16.2% |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-year estimates — tables B25103 (real-estate taxes), B25077 (home value), B19013 (household income) — and the 2024 Census county gazetteer. Public domain (Title 17 U.S.C. §105).
County detail — 7 Wisconsin counties in depth
Full figures for the Wisconsin counties most searched for, each with the Census margin of error on every median, both rankings, the five-year change, and the six nearest county-equivalents by centroid distance — nearby, not necessarily bordering, and cross-state neighbours included. For any individual property's assessed value, exemptions and bill, use that county's own assessor or appraisal district; per-county assessor URLs are never guessed here (why).
Racine County 1.630% · median tax $4,099 · #236 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $4,099 ± $75
- With a mortgage
- $4,247 ± $88
- Without a mortgage
- $3,855 ± $97
- Median home value
- $251,400 ± $6,311
- Median household income
- $78,096 ± $2,301
- Taxes as share of income
- 5.3%
- Effective rate
- 1.630%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #3 of 72
- National rank
- #236 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $250,000 home
- $4,075
Median real-estate taxes rose 13.5% over five years ($3,611 → $4,099) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.421 percentage points (2.052% → 1.630%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $176,000 → $251,400 (+42.8%), and the rate changed −0.421 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Racine County:
- Milwaukee County, WI — 1.926%, median tax $4,444, 17 km away
- Kenosha County, WI — 1.574%, median tax $4,179, 23 km away
- Waukesha County, WI — 1.144%, median tax $4,554, 51 km away
- Walworth County, WI — 1.333%, median tax $4,036, 64 km away
- Lake County, IL — 2.581%, median tax $8,923, 66 km away
- McHenry County, IL — 2.361%, median tax $7,274, 75 km away
Dane County 1.626% · median tax $6,420 · #241 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $6,420 ± $55
- With a mortgage
- $6,441 ± $72
- Without a mortgage
- $6,374 ± $99
- Median home value
- $394,800 ± $3,871
- Median household income
- $89,975 ± $1,284
- Taxes as share of income
- 7.1%
- Effective rate
- 1.626%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #5 of 72
- National rank
- #241 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $395,000 home
- $6,423
Median real-estate taxes rose 24.8% over five years ($5,145 → $6,420) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.311 percentage points (1.937% → 1.626%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $265,600 → $394,800 (+48.6%), and the rate changed −0.311 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Dane County:
- Columbia County, WI — 1.361%, median tax $3,855, 46 km away
- Green County, WI — 1.600%, median tax $4,003, 46 km away
- Rock County, WI — 1.599%, median tax $3,703, 52 km away
- Jefferson County, WI — 1.461%, median tax $4,005, 53 km away
- Sauk County, WI — 1.452%, median tax $3,755, 59 km away
- Iowa County, WI — 1.524%, median tax $4,038, 59 km away
Portage County 1.436% · median tax $3,492 · #425 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $3,492 ± $61
- With a mortgage
- $3,570 ± $77
- Without a mortgage
- $3,380 ± $118
- Median home value
- $243,100 ± $5,230
- Median household income
- $76,070 ± $1,950
- Taxes as share of income
- 4.6%
- Effective rate
- 1.436%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #23 of 72
- National rank
- #425 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $245,000 home
- $3,518
Median real-estate taxes rose 26.2% over five years ($2,766 → $3,492) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.209 percentage points (1.645% → 1.436%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $168,100 → $243,100 (+44.6%), and the rate changed −0.209 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Portage County:
- Waupaca County, WI — 1.383%, median tax $2,924, 42 km away
- Wood County, WI — 1.536%, median tax $2,697, 43 km away
- Waushara County, WI — 1.213%, median tax $2,464, 45 km away
- Marathon County, WI — 1.465%, median tax $3,218, 51 km away
- Adams County, WI — 1.199%, median tax $2,407, 60 km away
- Shawano County, WI — 1.363%, median tax $2,644, 68 km away
Brown County 1.377% · median tax $3,663 · #487 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $3,663 ± $57
- With a mortgage
- $3,735 ± $68
- Without a mortgage
- $3,536 ± $91
- Median home value
- $266,000 ± $5,230
- Median household income
- $79,649 ± $1,435
- Taxes as share of income
- 4.6%
- Effective rate
- 1.377%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #33 of 72
- National rank
- #487 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $265,000 home
- $3,649
Median real-estate taxes rose 14.8% over five years ($3,191 → $3,663) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.458 percentage points (1.835% → 1.377%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $173,900 → $266,000 (+53%), and the rate changed −0.458 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Brown County:
- Outagamie County, WI — 1.372%, median tax $3,668, 38 km away
- Kewaunee County, WI — 1.436%, median tax $3,190, 46 km away
- Calumet County, WI — 1.414%, median tax $3,877, 47 km away
- Manitowoc County, WI — 1.442%, median tax $2,695, 49 km away
- Oconto County, WI — 1.178%, median tax $2,727, 60 km away
- Winnebago County, WI — 1.629%, median tax $3,679, 69 km away
Outagamie County 1.372% · median tax $3,668 · #498 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $3,668 ± $43
- With a mortgage
- $3,719 ± $58
- Without a mortgage
- $3,589 ± $88
- Median home value
- $267,300 ± $3,297
- Median household income
- $85,069 ± $2,076
- Taxes as share of income
- 4.3%
- Effective rate
- 1.372%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #34 of 72
- National rank
- #498 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $265,000 home
- $3,636
Median real-estate taxes rose 17.8% over five years ($3,115 → $3,668) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.467 percentage points (1.839% → 1.372%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $169,400 → $267,300 (+57.8%), and the rate changed −0.467 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Outagamie County:
- Brown County, WI — 1.377%, median tax $3,663, 38 km away
- Winnebago County, WI — 1.629%, median tax $3,679, 40 km away
- Waupaca County, WI — 1.383%, median tax $2,924, 40 km away
- Calumet County, WI — 1.414%, median tax $3,877, 43 km away
- Shawano County, WI — 1.363%, median tax $2,644, 47 km away
- Menominee County, WI — 3.563%, median tax $3,926, 66 km away
St. Croix County 1.170% · median tax $4,420 · #776 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $4,420 ± $79
- With a mortgage
- $4,455 ± $96
- Without a mortgage
- $4,321 ± $170
- Median home value
- $377,700 ± $6,556
- Median household income
- $103,046 ± $3,545
- Taxes as share of income
- 4.3%
- Effective rate
- 1.170%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #58 of 72
- National rank
- #776 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $380,000 home
- $4,446
Median real-estate taxes rose 25.2% over five years ($3,530 → $4,420) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.274 percentage points (1.444% → 1.170%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $244,500 → $377,700 (+54.5%), and the rate changed −0.274 percentage points.
Nearest counties to St. Croix County:
- Pierce County, WI — 1.364%, median tax $4,551, 34 km away
- Washington County, MN — 0.987%, median tax $4,164, 35 km away
- Dunn County, WI — 1.390%, median tax $3,380, 44 km away
- Polk County, WI — 1.131%, median tax $3,075, 48 km away
- Ramsey County, MN — 1.214%, median tax $3,966, 51 km away
- Dakota County, MN — 0.984%, median tax $3,749, 63 km away
Waukesha County 1.144% · median tax $4,554 · #825 nationally
- Median taxes — all owner-occupied
- $4,554 ± $38
- With a mortgage
- $4,595 ± $51
- Without a mortgage
- $4,481 ± $63
- Median home value
- $398,200 ± $3,967
- Median household income
- $106,076 ± $1,512
- Taxes as share of income
- 4.3%
- Effective rate
- 1.144%
- Rank in Wisconsin
- #59 of 72
- National rank
- #825 of 3,135
- Estimated tax on a $400,000 home
- $4,576
Median real-estate taxes rose 9.8% over five years ($4,148 → $4,554) — a statistically significant increase at 90% confidence. The effective tax rate fell 0.326 percentage points (1.469% → 1.144%), a change that is itself statistically significant at 90% confidence. Median home value moved $282,300 → $398,200 (+41.1%), and the rate changed −0.326 percentage points.
Nearest counties to Waukesha County:
- Milwaukee County, WI — 1.926%, median tax $4,444, 38 km away
- Jefferson County, WI — 1.461%, median tax $4,005, 38 km away
- Washington County, WI — 1.103%, median tax $3,802, 42 km away
- Walworth County, WI — 1.333%, median tax $4,036, 44 km away
- Racine County, WI — 1.630%, median tax $4,099, 51 km away
- Dodge County, WI — 1.476%, median tax $3,422, 56 km away
Comparing the non-overlapping Census periods 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 — consecutive 5-year estimates share survey sample and are never compared here.
How property tax works in Wisconsin
Assessment, exemptions, appeals and payment are set by Wisconsin law and practice, so they apply to every county in the table above. Each fact is taken from an official government source and linked to it.
- How property is assessed
- The assessor of each taxation district determines the assessed value of all taxable property, except manufacturing property, which the Department of Revenue assesses annually statewide. Under state law all non-agricultural assessments must be based on the property's market value as of January 1, and the law requires each municipality to be within 10% of market value once every five years. source →
- Exemptions & credits
- The First Dollar Credit provides direct property tax relief on the tax bill. Every taxable parcel, business, commercial or private, containing a real property improvement such as a building qualifies. No application is needed and the credit is applied automatically. Unlike the Lottery and Gaming Credit, the property need not be the owner's primary residence and an owner may claim it on more than one property. source →
- Appealing an assessment
- The Board of Review meets each year during the 45-day period beginning with the fourth Monday in April, no sooner than seven days after Open Book. An objector must give the BOR clerk written or oral notice of intent at least 48 hours before the first scheduled meeting and file a completed, signed Objection Form PA-115A before or during the first two hours of that meeting. source →
- Payment schedule & penalties
- Unless the local governing unit enacts a different schedule, the first installment is due January 31 and the second July 31. If the first installment is not received within five working days after January 31, the entire remaining unpaid amount is delinquent as of February 1. Interest goes back to February 1 and accumulates at 1% per month, and some counties impose an additional penalty of 1.5% per month. source →
- Why rates vary within the state
- Property is assessed in different taxing districts at different percentages of market value, so locally assessed values cannot be used to apportion levies among municipalities without violating the rule of uniformity. The Department of Revenue instead certifies an equalized value for each taxing jurisdiction, and county, public school and vocational school taxes are apportioned on those equalized values. source →
- What makes this state's system distinctive
- Assessment quality is enforced on a six-year escalation under sec. 70.05(5)(b). Each municipality must assess all major classes of property within 10% of full value in the same year at least once within a five-year period. After four consecutive non-compliant years DOR issues a first notice, after five a second notice, and after six an order for supervised assessment. source →
Hand-sourced from official government sources — not a substitute for your own assessor's notice, and not legal or tax advice. Where a fact isn't confirmed on an official source, it is left off rather than guessed, which is why some states show fewer rows than others.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average property tax rate in Wisconsin?
- Statewide, Wisconsin's effective property-tax rate is 1.423% — the state median real-estate taxes ($3,792) divided by the state median home value ($266,500), from the Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. The national figure is about 0.937%, which puts Wisconsin at #9 of 51 (1 = highest). Individual counties vary widely; the table above shows every one.
- Which Wisconsin county has the highest property taxes?
- By effective rate, Menominee County is highest in Wisconsin at 3.563% (median bill $3,926), and Vilas County is lowest at 0.732% (median bill $2,197). Ranked by dollars paid rather than rate the order changes, because home values differ so much across the state — the table above shows both columns and sorts on either.
- What property tax exemptions are available in Wisconsin?
- The First Dollar Credit provides direct property tax relief on the tax bill. Every taxable parcel, business, commercial or private, containing a real property improvement such as a building qualifies. No application is needed and the credit is applied automatically. Unlike the Lottery and Gaming Credit, the property need not be the owner's primary residence and an owner may claim it on more than one property. Eligibility and filing are handled by your county assessor, and the exemption you qualify for changes your bill far more than the county you are in — the rates above are county medians and do not account for any exemption.
- How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Wisconsin?
- The Board of Review meets each year during the 45-day period beginning with the fourth Monday in April, no sooner than seven days after Open Book. An objector must give the BOR clerk written or oral notice of intent at least 48 hours before the first scheduled meeting and file a completed, signed Objection Form PA-115A before or during the first two hours of that meeting. Missing the deadline usually means waiting a full year, so check the date on your own assessment notice rather than relying on a general figure.
- When are property taxes due in Wisconsin?
- Unless the local governing unit enacts a different schedule, the first installment is due January 31 and the second July 31. If the first installment is not received within five working days after January 31, the entire remaining unpaid amount is delinquent as of February 1. Interest goes back to February 1 and accumulates at 1% per month, and some counties impose an additional penalty of 1.5% per month. If your taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, your servicer pays on this schedule on your behalf.
- How is property assessed in Wisconsin?
- The assessor of each taxation district determines the assessed value of all taxable property, except manufacturing property, which the Department of Revenue assesses annually statewide. Under state law all non-agricultural assessments must be based on the property's market value as of January 1, and the law requires each municipality to be within 10% of market value once every five years. This is why an effective rate computed from market value — as every rate on this page is — will not match the millage rate printed on your bill: the two are applied to different bases.
Compare & explore
See the national highest and lowest property-tax rates, or read the methodology behind every figure. The national median effective rate is 0.937%; Wisconsin's statewide figure is 1.423%.