Benewah County, ID Property Tax: $1,407/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Benewah County is 0.55% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $255,800, that works out to about $1,407 per year, or $117 per month. Benewah County is located in northwestern Idaho, with St as its county seat, and is home to approximately 9,913 residents.
About Benewah County
Benewah County covers approximately 776.9 square miles in Idaho. The county is home to about 9,913 residents living in roughly 4,706 housing units, of which 64.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $56,553, and the median home was built in 1978.
The county seat is St. Benewah County borders Kootenai County, Latah County, Shoshone County, Spokane County, Whitman 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 Benewah County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Benewah County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benewah County, ID | 0.55% | $255,800 | $1,407 |
| Idaho state average | 0.51% | — | $1,305* |
| Kootenai County | 0.47% | $467,400 | $2,203 |
| Latah County | 0.68% | $342,500 | $2,333 |
| Shoshone County | 0.57% | $222,700 | $1,273 |
| Spokane County | 0.86% | $370,500 | $3,196 |
| Whitman County | 0.79% | $323,300 | $2,566 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Benewah County's median home value of $255,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Benewah County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Idaho?
At 0.55%, Benewah County is higher than the Idaho state average of 0.51%. On a home at the county median of $255,800, that means about $1,407 per year — versus $1,305 at the state average rate, a difference of $102 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Benewah County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Benewah County?
For a home at the county median value of $255,800, the annual property tax in Benewah County is approximately $1,407 — or about $117 per month. For a home worth $383,700, expect around $2,110 per year. For a $511,600 home, approximately $2,814 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Benewah County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Benewah County are handled by the Benewah County Assessor's office in St. 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 Benewah 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 0.55% shown here. Contact the Benewah 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