Chelan County, WA Property Tax: $3,235/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Chelan County is 0.71% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $454,900, that works out to about $3,230 per year, or $269 per month. Chelan County is located in central Washington, with Wenatchee as its county seat, and is home to approximately 79,518 residents.
About Chelan County
Chelan County covers approximately 2,921.2 square miles in Washington. The county is home to about 79,518 residents living in roughly 38,129 housing units, of which 51.2% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $78,306, and the median home was built in 1982.
The county seat is Wenatchee. Chelan County borders Douglas County, King County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County, Skagit County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Washington
Property taxes in Washington 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 Washington 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 Chelan County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Chelan County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelan County, WA | 0.71% | $454,900 | $3,230 |
| Washington state average | 0.76% | — | $3,457* |
| Douglas County | 0.79% | $402,900 | $3,168 |
| King County | 0.84% | $811,200 | $6,785 |
| Kittitas County | 0.71% | $459,900 | $3,255 |
| Okanogan County | 0.77% | $284,200 | $2,194 |
| Skagit County | 0.82% | $486,200 | $4,008 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Chelan County's median home value of $454,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chelan County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Washington?
At 0.71%, Chelan County is lower than the Washington state average of 0.76%. On a home at the county median of $454,900, that means about $3,230 per year — versus $3,457 at the state average rate, a difference of $227 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Chelan County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Chelan County?
For a home at the county median value of $454,900, the annual property tax in Chelan County is approximately $3,230 — or about $269 per month. For a home worth $682,350, expect around $4,845 per year. For a $909,800 home, approximately $6,460 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Chelan County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Chelan County are handled by the Chelan County Assessor's office in Wenatchee. 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 Chelan County?
Washington 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 0.71% shown here. Contact the Chelan 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