Columbia County, OR Property Tax: $2,948/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Columbia County is 0.75% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $390,600, that works out to about $2,930 per year, or $244 per month. Columbia County is located in northern Oregon, and is home to approximately 53,178 residents.
About Columbia County
Columbia County covers approximately 658.7 square miles in Oregon. The county is home to about 53,178 residents living in roughly 21,980 housing units, of which 71.3% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $86,359, and the median home was built in 1981.
Columbia County borders Clatsop County, Multnomah County, Tillamook County, Washington County, Clark County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Oregon
Property taxes in Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Columbia County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Columbia County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County, OR | 0.75% | $390,600 | $2,930 |
| Oregon state average | 0.78% | — | $3,047* |
| Clatsop County | 0.70% | $437,800 | $3,084 |
| Multnomah County | 0.96% | $528,000 | $5,061 |
| Tillamook County | 0.60% | $408,600 | $2,449 |
| Washington County | 0.87% | $558,500 | $4,852 |
| Clark County | 0.84% | $487,900 | $4,080 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Columbia County's median home value of $390,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Columbia County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Oregon?
At 0.75%, Columbia County is lower than the Oregon state average of 0.78%. On a home at the county median of $390,600, that means about $2,930 per year — versus $3,047 at the state average rate, a difference of $117 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Columbia County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Columbia County?
For a home at the county median value of $390,600, the annual property tax in Columbia County is approximately $2,930 — or about $244 per month. For a home worth $585,900, expect around $4,394 per year. For a $781,200 home, approximately $5,859 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Columbia County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Columbia County are handled by the Columbia 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 Columbia County?
Oregon 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 0.75% shown here. Contact the Columbia 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