Clearwater County, MN Property Tax: $1,297/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Clearwater County is 0.73% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $177,100, that works out to about $1,293 per year, or $108 per month. Clearwater County is located in northern Minnesota, and is home to approximately 8,579 residents.
About Clearwater County
Clearwater County covers approximately 999.0 square miles in Minnesota. The county is home to about 8,579 residents living in roughly 4,449 housing units, of which 59.2% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $64,934, and the median home was built in 1980.
Clearwater County borders Becker County, Beltrami County, Hubbard County, Mahnomen County, Pennington County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Minnesota
Property taxes in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Clearwater County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Clearwater County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater County, MN | 0.73% | $177,100 | $1,293 |
| Minnesota state average | 0.97% | — | $1,718* |
| Becker County | 0.73% | $266,900 | $1,951 |
| Beltrami County | 1.00% | $222,300 | $2,214 |
| Hubbard County | 0.82% | $255,900 | $2,087 |
| Mahnomen County | 0.97% | $146,500 | $1,427 |
| Pennington County | 1.22% | $188,900 | $2,300 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Clearwater County's median home value of $177,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Clearwater County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Minnesota?
At 0.73%, Clearwater County is lower than the Minnesota state average of 0.97%. On a home at the county median of $177,100, that means about $1,293 per year — versus $1,718 at the state average rate, a difference of $425 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Clearwater County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Clearwater County?
For a home at the county median value of $177,100, the annual property tax in Clearwater County is approximately $1,293 — or about $108 per month. For a home worth $265,650, expect around $1,939 per year. For a $354,200 home, approximately $2,586 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Clearwater County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Clearwater County are handled by the Clearwater County Assessor's office. 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 Clearwater County?
Minnesota 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 0.73% shown here. Contact the Clearwater 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