Bay County Property Taxes
Bay County, Michigan
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
4.9% above state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$184/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
1.63%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$135,100
State avg ▼ $182,224
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$2,280
$190/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$2,110
$176/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#81
of 83 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in Bay County, Michigan
Bay County taxes above national median
Bay County's effective tax rate of 1.632% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,205 annually, compared to the national median of $2,690—though the county's lower median home value of $135,100 (versus $281,900 nationally) explains the lower absolute tax bill.
Highest rate in Michigan
Bay County ranks as the highest-taxed county in Michigan with an effective rate of 1.632%, nearly 40% above the state average of 1.166%. The median annual tax of $2,205 sits just slightly above Michigan's median of $2,102, reflecting the county's aggressive tax policy relative to peers.
Outpaces surrounding counties significantly
Bay County's 1.632% rate dwarfs nearby Saginaw and Tuscola counties and substantially exceeds Thumb region averages. Among the eight-county sample here, only Calhoun County (1.498%) comes close, making Bay County a clear outlier in regional tax burden.
What your home tax bill looks like
On Bay County's median home value of $135,100, the 1.632% rate translates to approximately $2,205 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $2,280, while those without mortgages pay $2,110.
Consider appealing your assessment
Many Michigan homeowners, especially in high-tax counties like Bay, are overassessed relative to recent market sales. Filing a property tax appeal during Michigan's March-June window costs nothing and could reduce your assessment—and your tax bill—significantly.
How Bay County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
Bay County
1.63%
Effective rate
Michigan Avg
1.15%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Bay County, Michigan?
How much are property taxes in Bay County?
How does Bay County compare to the Michigan average?
What is the median home value in Bay County, Michigan?
Why is Bay County property tax rate higher than the Michigan average?
How does Bay County rank for property taxes in Michigan?
Counties with Similar Tax Rates
Nearby Counties
Other Counties in Michigan
Data updated: March 2026
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.