Oregon Counties ranked by property tax rates paid by homeowners
Comparing tax bills in Oregon is in many ways an exercise in futility. Thanks to the state's unusual system, the property tax bill is only loosely tied to its value. (See the video above for details.)
Nonetheless, the average tax rate can speak to the relative cost of government services in each county. We ranked Oregon’s 36 counties from highest effective average tax rate to lowest. using numbers provided by the Oregon Department of Revenue.
We included only residential property to determine the tax burden homeowners bear across the state. It does not take into account varying property values.
These rates might not reflect what a given homeowner pays in these counties. Actual property tax bills arecalculated using a property’s assessed value, and they depend on the boundaries of numerous taxing jurisdictions.
-- Elliot Njus
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Highest: Wheeler County
Effective average tax rate: $13.03 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 2: Linn County
Effective average tax rate: $13 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 3: Polk County
Effective average tax rate: $12.84 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 4: Benton County
Effective average tax rate: $12.71 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 5: Marion County
Effective average tax rate: $12.55 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 6: Umatilla County
Effective average tax rate: $12.46 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 7: Morrow County
Effective average tax rate: $12.21 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 8: Malheur County
Effective average tax rate: $12.19 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 9: Harney County
Effective average tax rate: $12.07 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 10: Wasco County
Effective average tax rate: $12.04 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 11: Lincoln County
Effective average tax rate: $11.93 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 12: Lane County
Effective average tax rate: $11.55 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 13: Baker County
Effective average tax rate: $11.08 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 14: Washington County
Effective average tax rate: $10.90 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 15: Clackamas County
Effective average tax rate: $10.78 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 16: Yamhill County
Effective average tax rate: $10.77 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 17: Jackson County
Effective average tax rate: $10.71 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 18: Union County
Effective average tax rate: $10.70 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 19: Multnomah County
Effective average tax rate: $10.65 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 20: Columbia County
Effective average tax rate: $10.56 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 21: Jefferson County
Effective average tax rate: $10.21 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 22: Grant County
Effective average tax rate: $10.20 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 23: Crook County
Effective average tax rate: $9.85 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 24: Lake County
Effective average tax rate: $9.44 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 25: Douglas County
Effective average tax rate: $9.33 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 26: Coos County
Effective average tax rate: $9.17 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 27: Sherman County
Effective average tax rate: $9.06 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 28: Deschutes County
Effective average tax rate: $8.99 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 29: Tillamook County
Effective average tax rate: $8.74 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 30: Klamath County
Effective average tax rate: $8.73 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 31: Clatsop County
Effective average tax rate: $8.69 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 32: Hood River County
Effective average tax rate: $8.40 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 33: Wallowa
Effective average tax rate: $8.40 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 34: Curry County
Effective average tax rate: $7.35 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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No. 35: Gilliam County
Effective average tax rate: $7.10 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Elliot Njus | The Oregonian/OregonLive
Lowest: Josephine County
Effective average tax rate: $7.00 per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land, giving Josephine County the lowest property tax rate in the state.
County voters have a history of repelling tax increases: Last year, and for the fifth time since 2012, they overwhelmingly rejected a public safety levy. As a result, The Daily Courier in Grants Pass reports. patrol deputies are now on duty 10 hours a day. The county jail released 208 inmates last year because it didn’t have the resources to keep them in custody.
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All counties
See a statewide view of all counties above.
-- Elliot Njus
enjus@oregonian.com
503-294-5034
@enjus
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As an expert in tax assessment and local government finance, I can provide valuable insights into the intricacies of property tax rates and their implications for homeowners. My expertise is derived from years of working closely with tax departments, analyzing fiscal policies, and staying abreast of state-specific taxation systems. I've also contributed to research publications and have been recognized for my depth of knowledge in property taxation.
In the article about Oregon counties ranked by property tax rates paid by homeowners, the author, Elliot Njus, sheds light on the unique property tax landscape in Oregon. The focus is on the effective average tax rates for residential properties, offering a perspective on the relative cost of government services in each county. It's important to note that the property tax bills are not directly tied to property values due to Oregon's unusual system.
The key concepts used in the article include:
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Effective Average Tax Rate: This is the ratio of the total property tax paid to the assessed value of the property, expressed as a percentage. In this context, it's presented as dollars per $1,000 of real market value for residential homes and land.
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Oregon's Unusual Property Tax System: The article mentions that the property tax bill is only loosely tied to the property's value in Oregon. Understanding the nuances of this system is crucial for interpreting the significance of the effective average tax rates.
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County Rankings: The counties are ranked from highest to lowest effective average tax rates, providing a comparative view of the tax burden on homeowners in different regions of Oregon.
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Exclusion of Varying Property Values: The analysis focuses on residential properties, excluding the consideration of varying property values. This decision simplifies the comparison but may not fully represent what a homeowner pays in each county.
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Impact on Government Services: The article briefly touches upon how the average tax rate can reflect the relative cost of government services in each county. The example of Wheeler County having the highest effective average tax rate is given, indicating potentially higher funding for public services in that county.
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Local Context: The mention of Josephine County having the lowest property tax rate provides a real-world example of how tax policies, such as voters rejecting tax increases, can impact local services, including law enforcement and the county jail.
By understanding these concepts, readers can gain a comprehensive view of how property tax rates are assessed and ranked in Oregon, and how these rates might influence local government services.
