Otter Tail County, MN Property Tax: $1,966/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Otter Tail County is 0.78% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $252,500, that works out to about $1,970 per year, or $164 per month. Otter Tail County is located in central Minnesota, and is home to approximately 60,281 residents.
About Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County covers approximately 1,971.6 square miles in Minnesota. The county is home to about 60,281 residents living in roughly 36,669 housing units, of which 54.4% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $70,912, and the median home was built in 1978.
Otter Tail County borders Becker County, Clay County, Douglas County, Grant County, Todd 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 Otter Tail County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Otter Tail County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail County, MN | 0.78% | $252,500 | $1,970 |
| Minnesota state average | 0.97% | — | $2,449* |
| Becker County | 0.73% | $266,900 | $1,951 |
| Clay County | 1.11% | $256,000 | $2,854 |
| Douglas County | 0.86% | $291,700 | $2,516 |
| Grant County | 0.94% | $178,600 | $1,677 |
| Todd County | 0.99% | $188,400 | $1,874 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Otter Tail County's median home value of $252,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Otter Tail County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Minnesota?
At 0.78%, Otter Tail County is lower than the Minnesota state average of 0.97%. On a home at the county median of $252,500, that means about $1,970 per year — versus $2,449 at the state average rate, a difference of $479 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Otter Tail County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Otter Tail County?
For a home at the county median value of $252,500, the annual property tax in Otter Tail County is approximately $1,970 — or about $164 per month. For a home worth $378,750, expect around $2,954 per year. For a $505,000 home, approximately $3,939 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Otter Tail County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Otter Tail County are handled by the Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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 0.78% shown here. Contact the Otter Tail 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