Property tax in Columbia County, Washington
The median property tax bill in Columbia County, Washington is $2,303 a year, which is about 0.85% of the county's median home value of $271,200. That effective rate is higher than the typical Washington county (0.73%) and higher than the national median (0.81%). These are American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024); your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Estimate the property tax on a home in Columbia County
Enter a home's market value for a ballpark at Columbia County's average effective rate of 0.85% (Census). The real bill depends on the home's assessed value, the millage where it sits and any exemptions.
Estimated property tax: $2,305 / year
Property tax in Columbia County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $2,303 |
| Median home value | $271,200 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.85% |
| Typical Washington county rate | 0.73% |
| National median county rate | 0.81% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Columbia County compare in Washington?
Among Washington's 39 counties, Columbia County has the 3rd highest effective property-tax rate: 2 rank higher and 36 rank lower. That places it among the most heavily taxed counties in the state. Nationally, it ranks 1471st of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every Washington county ranked.
How much do homeowners in Columbia County actually pay?
The median is only the middle bill. Across Columbia County's 1,447 owner-occupied homes, 31.4% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 55.4% pay at least $2,000, and 14.7% pay under $800. Another 3.6% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.
| Annual bill | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $800 | 213 | 14.7% |
| $800 to $1,499 | 191 | 13.2% |
| $1,500 to $1,999 | 188 | 13% |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 348 | 24% |
| $3,000 or more | 455 | 31.4% |
| No property tax paid | 52 | 3.6% |
Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,232 and owners without one pay $2,431. That is within 10% either way, so in Columbia County paying off the house does not go with a noticeably different bill. Census table B25103.
How does the Columbia County property tax bill compare with local incomes?
The median property tax bill of $2,303 is about 2.8% of the median income of Columbia County homeowner households, $82,292 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 77.7% of Columbia County's occupied homes are lived in by their owners; renters pay property tax too, just folded into rent.
Have property taxes gone up in Columbia County?
Yes. The median bill went from $1,805 in 2015-2019 to $2,303 in 2020-2024, a 27.6% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 51.2%, from $179,400 to $271,200. Bills rose more slowly than values, which is what assessment caps and falling millage rates do: the county is taxing a smaller share of each home's worth.
Two Census ACS 5-year periods with no survey years in common, in each period's own dollars. A change counts only if it exceeds the combined 90% margin of error.
Property tax in counties next to Columbia County
Columbia County borders 6 counties, 2 of them across the state line.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umatilla County, OR | 0.9% | $2,557 | $282,600 |
| Walla Walla County, WA | 0.85% | $3,492 | $408,900 |
| Columbia County, WA (this county) | 0.85% | $2,303 | $271,200 |
| Whitman County, WA | 0.75% | $2,691 | $359,600 |
| Franklin County, WA | 0.73% | $2,750 | $379,300 |
| Garfield County, WA | 0.66% | $1,574 | $239,200 |
| Wallowa County, OR | 0.57% | $2,270 | $394,800 |
How is a home assessed in Columbia County?
Washington assesses homes at 100% of market value in every county, Columbia County included. How Washington assesses and reappraises homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in Columbia County?
No. Washington has no general homestead exemption; the broad protection is the 1% limit on how much a taxing district's regular levy can grow each year without voter approval. That is the Washington rule, and it applies in Columbia County. Washington's exemptions and relief programs in full.
When are property taxes due in Columbia County?
Two installments: the first half by April 30 and the second by October 31 if the total is over $50. Smaller bills are due in full by April 30. The county treasurer bills and collects.
Washington splits the bill into 2 installments. That is the Washington rule. Columbia County issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.
How to appeal your Columbia County property assessment
You contest the assessed value with the County Board of Equalization, then the Washington Board of Tax Appeals. The filing deadline is typically July 1, or 30 to 60 days after your value notice, whichever is later. That is the Washington rule; Columbia County sets the exact dates and forms. The Washington appeal process step by step.
Washington rules from primary state sources, reviewed September 7, 2026; sources on the Washington page.
Work out your own numbers
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How much house can I afford?
Your income, debts and down payment against the 28/36 rule lenders actually use, with Columbia County's tax rate to hand.
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Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment with principal, interest, tax and insurance, plus what an extra payment saves you.
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Washington income tax
Brackets, standard deduction and what Washington actually taxes.
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Sales tax in Columbia County
The other local tax: combined state and local rate for this county.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for Columbia County, Washington: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024), tables B25103, B25077, B25102, B25119 and B25003; the five-year comparison uses the 2015-2019 estimates. Neighboring counties: Census county adjacency file.