Defiance County, OH Property Tax: $1,686/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Defiance County is 1.12% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $150,900, that works out to about $1,690 per year, or $141 per month. Defiance County is located in northwestern Ohio, and is home to approximately 38,258 residents.
About Defiance County
Defiance County covers approximately 411.4 square miles in Ohio. The county is home to about 38,258 residents living in roughly 16,570 housing units, of which 72.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $73,615, and the median home was built in 1967.
Defiance County borders Allen County, DeKalb County, Henry County, Paulding County, Putnam County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Ohio
Property taxes in Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Defiance County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Defiance County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defiance County, OH | 1.12% | $150,900 | $1,690 |
| Ohio state average | 1.15% | — | $1,735* |
| Allen County | 0.80% | $194,300 | $1,559 |
| DeKalb County | 0.63% | $177,900 | $1,117 |
| Henry County | 1.18% | $166,000 | $1,954 |
| Paulding County | 1.09% | $126,800 | $1,382 |
| Putnam County | 0.98% | $191,600 | $1,870 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Defiance County's median home value of $150,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Defiance County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Ohio?
At 1.12%, Defiance County is lower than the Ohio state average of 1.15%. On a home at the county median of $150,900, that means about $1,690 per year — versus $1,735 at the state average rate, a difference of $45 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Defiance County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Defiance County?
For a home at the county median value of $150,900, the annual property tax in Defiance County is approximately $1,690 — or about $141 per month. For a home worth $226,350, expect around $2,535 per year. For a $301,800 home, approximately $3,380 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Defiance County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Defiance County are handled by the Defiance 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 Defiance County?
Ohio 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 1.12% shown here. Contact the Defiance 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