Manistee County, MI Property Tax: $1,814/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Manistee County is 1.09% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $166,600, that works out to about $1,816 per year, or $151 per month. Manistee County is located in western Michigan, with Manistee as its county seat, and is home to approximately 25,247 residents.
About Manistee County
Manistee County covers approximately 542.3 square miles in Michigan. The county is home to about 25,247 residents living in roughly 15,631 housing units, of which 56.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $60,879, and the median home was built in 1971.
The county seat is Manistee. Manistee County borders Benzie County, Grand Traverse County, Lake County, Mason County, Wexford 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 Manistee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Manistee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manistee County, MI | 1.09% | $166,600 | $1,816 |
| Michigan state average | 1.17% | — | $1,949* |
| Benzie County | 0.83% | $254,400 | $2,119 |
| Grand Traverse County | 0.98% | $296,200 | $2,900 |
| Lake County | 1.15% | $122,900 | $1,413 |
| Mason County | 1.11% | $199,300 | $2,203 |
| Wexford County | 1.17% | $160,300 | $1,868 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Manistee County's median home value of $166,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Manistee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Michigan?
At 1.09%, Manistee County is lower than the Michigan state average of 1.17%. On a home at the county median of $166,600, that means about $1,816 per year — versus $1,949 at the state average rate, a difference of $133 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Manistee County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Manistee County?
For a home at the county median value of $166,600, the annual property tax in Manistee County is approximately $1,816 — or about $151 per month. For a home worth $249,900, expect around $2,724 per year. For a $333,200 home, approximately $3,632 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Manistee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Manistee County are handled by the Manistee County Assessor's office in Manistee. 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 Manistee 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 1.09% shown here. Contact the Manistee 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