Property tax in Skagit County, Washington

Updated

The median property tax bill in Skagit County, Washington is $4,308 a year, which is about 0.79% of the county's median home value of $545,100. That effective rate is higher than the typical Washington county (0.73%) and lower 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 Skagit County

Enter a home's market value for a ballpark at Skagit County's average effective rate of 0.79% (Census). The real bill depends on the home's assessed value, the millage where it sits and any exemptions.


Estimated property tax: $4,306 / year

Property tax in Skagit County at a glance

Skagit County, Washington property tax (Census ACS, reviewed September 23, 2026)
MeasureValue
Median annual property tax$4,308
Median home value$545,100
Effective tax rate0.79%
Typical Washington county rate0.73%
National median county rate0.81%

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 Skagit County compare in Washington?

Among Washington's 39 counties, Skagit County has the 11th highest effective property-tax rate: 10 rank higher and 28 rank lower. That is on the higher side for Washington. Nationally, it ranks 1627th of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every Washington county ranked.

How much do homeowners in Skagit County actually pay?

The median is only the middle bill. Across Skagit County's 36,664 owner-occupied homes, 70.6% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 82.3% pay at least $2,000, and 5.7% pay under $800. Another 3.5% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.

Annual property tax paid by Skagit County homeowners (Census ACS 2020-2024)
Annual billHomesShare
Under $8002,0865.7%
$800 to $1,4991,8465%
$1,500 to $1,9991,2933.5%
$2,000 to $2,9994,28111.7%
$3,000 or more25,87170.6%
No property tax paid1,2873.5%

Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $4,306 and owners without one pay $4,310. That is within 10% either way, so in Skagit County paying off the house does not go with a noticeably different bill. Census table B25103.

How does the Skagit County property tax bill compare with local incomes?

The median property tax bill of $4,308 is about 4% of the median income of Skagit County homeowner households, $106,869 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 70.1% of Skagit 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 Skagit County?

Yes. The median bill went from $3,011 in 2015-2019 to $4,308 in 2020-2024, a 43.1% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 78.1%, from $306,000 to $545,100. 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 Skagit County

Skagit County borders 6 counties.

Skagit County and its neighbors, highest effective rate first (Census ACS 2020-2024)
CountyEffective rateMedian billMedian home value
Skagit County, WA (this county)0.79%$4,308$545,100
Snohomish County, WA0.77%$5,364$696,000
Okanogan County, WA0.76%$2,281$299,800
Chelan County, WA0.71%$3,503$490,100
Whatcom County, WA0.7%$4,087$585,800
Island County, WA0.67%$3,999$593,300
San Juan County, WA0.53%$4,253$799,200

How is a home assessed in Skagit County?

Washington assesses homes at 100% of market value in every county, Skagit County included. How Washington assesses and reappraises homes.

Is there a homestead exemption in Skagit 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 Skagit County. Washington's exemptions and relief programs in full.

When are property taxes due in Skagit 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. Skagit County issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.

How to appeal your Skagit 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; Skagit 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

Sources