Pawnee County, NE Property Tax: $1,191/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Pawnee County is 1.59% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $74,800, that works out to about $1,189 per year, or $99 per month. Pawnee County is located in southeastern Nebraska, and is home to approximately 2,539 residents.
About Pawnee County
Pawnee County covers approximately 431.1 square miles in Nebraska. The county is home to about 2,539 residents living in roughly 1,410 housing units, of which 61.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $54,926, and the median home was built in 1945.
Pawnee County borders Marshall County, Nemaha County, Gage County, Johnson County, Nemaha County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Nebraska
Property taxes in Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Pawnee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Pawnee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawnee County, NE | 1.59% | $74,800 | $1,189 |
| Nebraska state average | 1.28% | — | $957* |
| Marshall County | 1.28% | $119,500 | $1,529 |
| Nemaha County | 0.98% | $196,100 | $1,917 |
| Gage County | 1.44% | $167,100 | $2,406 |
| Johnson County | 1.52% | $131,500 | $1,993 |
| Nemaha County | 1.41% | $125,100 | $1,761 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Pawnee County's median home value of $74,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pawnee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Nebraska?
At 1.59%, Pawnee County is higher than the Nebraska state average of 1.28%. On a home at the county median of $74,800, that means about $1,189 per year — versus $957 at the state average rate, a difference of $232 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Pawnee County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Pawnee County?
For a home at the county median value of $74,800, the annual property tax in Pawnee County is approximately $1,189 — or about $99 per month. For a home worth $112,200, expect around $1,784 per year. For a $149,600 home, approximately $2,379 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Pawnee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Pawnee County are handled by the Pawnee 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 Pawnee County?
Nebraska 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 1.59% shown here. Contact the Pawnee 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