Bear Lake County, ID Property Tax: $1,061/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Bear Lake County is 0.45% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $234,200, that works out to about $1,054 per year, or $88 per month. Bear Lake County is located in southeastern Idaho, with Paris as its county seat, and is home to approximately 6,552 residents.
About Bear Lake County
Bear Lake County covers approximately 975.7 square miles in Idaho. The county is home to about 6,552 residents living in roughly 3,943 housing units, of which 49.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,304, and the median home was built in 1971.
The county seat is Paris. Bear Lake County borders Caribou County, Franklin County, Cache County, Rich County, Lincoln County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Idaho
Property taxes in Idaho are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Idaho offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Bear Lake County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Bear Lake County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Lake County, ID | 0.45% | $234,200 | $1,054 |
| Idaho state average | 0.51% | — | $1,194* |
| Caribou County | 0.60% | $220,200 | $1,330 |
| Franklin County | 0.50% | $304,000 | $1,512 |
| Cache County | 0.49% | $392,800 | $1,929 |
| Rich County | 0.29% | $291,200 | $846 |
| Lincoln County | 0.44% | $334,500 | $1,458 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Bear Lake County's median home value of $234,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bear Lake County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Idaho?
At 0.45%, Bear Lake County is lower than the Idaho state average of 0.51%. On a home at the county median of $234,200, that means about $1,054 per year — versus $1,194 at the state average rate, a difference of $140 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Bear Lake County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Bear Lake County?
For a home at the county median value of $234,200, the annual property tax in Bear Lake County is approximately $1,054 — or about $88 per month. For a home worth $351,300, expect around $1,581 per year. For a $468,400 home, approximately $2,108 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Bear Lake County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Bear Lake County are handled by the Bear Lake County Assessor's office in Paris. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Bear Lake County?
Idaho counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.45% shown here. Contact the Bear Lake County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File