Stearns County Property Taxes

Stearns County, Minnesota

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

20.7% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$218/mo escrow

#53 of 87 counties in Minnesota

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

1.02%

vs. Minnesota Avg20.7% above
vs. National Avg2.7% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$256,500

State avg $222,532

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,612

$218/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$2,625

$219/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#53

of 87 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Stearns County, Minnesota

Stearns taxes slightly above US median

Stearns County's effective tax rate of 1.020% sits modestly above the national median of 0.98%, placing it in the upper half of US counties. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,617 annually, slightly below the national median of $2,690, thanks to a median home value of $256,500 that's lower than the national average of $281,900.

Above average in Minnesota rankings

Stearns County's 1.020% effective tax rate exceeds Minnesota's state average of 0.968%, making it a higher-tax county within the state. At $2,617, its median property tax is also above the state median of $2,168—a difference of $449 per household annually.

Steele County taxes hit highest in region

Among central Minnesota counties, Stearns sits in the middle band: Steele County leads at 1.206%, while Wadena follows at 1.040%. Stevens County offers the region's lowest burden at 0.807%, making Stearns homeowners pay roughly $1,100 more annually than their Stevens County counterparts on comparable-value homes.

Expected annual tax on typical home

On Stearns County's median home valued at $256,500, you can expect to pay approximately $2,617 in annual property taxes. Whether you carry a mortgage ($2,612) or own outright ($2,625), the tax obligation remains nearly identical.

Many homeowners eligible for appeal

If your property assessment feels high, you're not alone—studies show 20-40% of homeowners are overassessed. Contact your county assessor about filing an appeal; a successful challenge could reduce your tax bill by hundreds of dollars annually with no cost to file.

How Stearns County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Stearns County$2,617
Minnesota State Average$2,168
National Average$1,924

Stearns County

1.02%

Effective rate

Minnesota Avg

0.97%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Stearns County, Minnesota?
The effective property tax rate in Stearns County, Minnesota is 1.02%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Stearns County?
The median annual property tax payment in Stearns County is $2,617. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,612, while those without a mortgage pay $2,625.
How does Stearns County compare to the Minnesota average?
Stearns County's effective tax rate of 1.02% is higher than the Minnesota state average of 0.97%. The median annual property tax in Stearns County is $2,617, compared to the state average of $2,168.
What is the median home value in Stearns County, Minnesota?
The median home value in Stearns County, Minnesota is $256,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Stearns County property tax rate higher than the Minnesota average?
Stearns County's effective property tax rate of 1.02% is higher than the Minnesota average of 0.97%. This difference of 0.05% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Stearns County rank for property taxes in Minnesota?
Stearns County ranks #53 out of 87 counties in Minnesota by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 1.02% and median annual tax of $2,617, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Minnesota

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.