Lake County, MI Property Tax: $1,413/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Lake County is 1.15% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $122,900, that works out to about $1,413 per year, or $118 per month. Lake County is located in central Michigan, with Baldwin as its county seat, and is home to approximately 12,393 residents.
About Lake County
Lake County covers approximately 567.6 square miles in Michigan. The county is home to about 12,393 residents living in roughly 13,432 housing units, of which 29.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $49,680, and the median home was built in 1977.
The county seat is Baldwin. Lake County borders Manistee County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Newaygo County, Oceana County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Michigan
Property taxes in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Lake County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Lake County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County, MI | 1.15% | $122,900 | $1,413 |
| Michigan state average | 1.17% | — | $1,438* |
| Manistee County | 1.09% | $166,600 | $1,814 |
| Mason County | 1.11% | $199,300 | $2,203 |
| Mecosta County | 1.00% | $169,900 | $1,692 |
| Newaygo County | 1.15% | $178,300 | $2,052 |
| Oceana County | 1.14% | $167,600 | $1,916 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Lake County's median home value of $122,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lake County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Michigan?
At 1.15%, Lake County is lower than the Michigan state average of 1.17%. On a home at the county median of $122,900, that means about $1,413 per year — versus $1,438 at the state average rate, a difference of $25 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Lake County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Lake County?
For a home at the county median value of $122,900, the annual property tax in Lake County is approximately $1,413 — or about $118 per month. For a home worth $184,350, expect around $2,120 per year. For a $245,800 home, approximately $2,827 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Lake County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Lake County are handled by the Lake County Assessor's office in Baldwin. 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 Lake County?
Michigan 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 1.15% shown here. Contact the Lake 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