Pierce County, ND Property Tax: $1,477/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Pierce County is 1.03% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $143,400, that works out to about $1,477 per year, or $123 per month. Pierce County is located in northern North Dakota, with Rugby as its county seat, and is home to approximately 3,961 residents.
About Pierce County
Pierce County covers approximately 1,018.3 square miles in North Dakota. The county is home to about 3,961 residents living in roughly 2,077 housing units, of which 69.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $63,214, and the median home was built in 1971.
The county seat is Rugby. Pierce County borders Benson County, Bottineau County, McHenry County, Rolette County, Sheridan County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in North Dakota
Property taxes in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 Pierce County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Pierce County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce County, ND | 1.03% | $143,400 | $1,477 |
| North Dakota state average | 0.89% | — | $1,276* |
| Benson County | 0.87% | $83,100 | $724 |
| Bottineau County | 0.70% | $190,900 | $1,335 |
| McHenry County | 0.66% | $143,200 | $949 |
| Rolette County | 0.98% | $93,000 | $907 |
| Sheridan County | 0.70% | $107,700 | $753 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Pierce County's median home value of $143,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pierce County's property tax rate compare to the rest of North Dakota?
At 1.03%, Pierce County is higher than the North Dakota state average of 0.89%. On a home at the county median of $143,400, that means about $1,477 per year — versus $1,276 at the state average rate, a difference of $201 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Pierce County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Pierce County?
For a home at the county median value of $143,400, the annual property tax in Pierce County is approximately $1,477 — or about $123 per month. For a home worth $215,100, expect around $2,216 per year. For a $286,800 home, approximately $2,954 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Pierce County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Pierce County are handled by the Pierce County Assessor's office in Rugby. 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 Pierce County?
North Dakota 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 1.03% shown here. Contact the Pierce 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