Sawyer County, WI Property Tax: $1,899/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Sawyer County is 0.85% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $223,300, that works out to about $1,898 per year, or $158 per month. Sawyer County is located in northwestern Wisconsin, with Hayward as its county seat, and is home to approximately 18,243 residents.
About Sawyer County
Sawyer County covers approximately 1,257.6 square miles in Wisconsin. The county is home to about 18,243 residents living in roughly 16,114 housing units, of which 40.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $59,055, and the median home was built in 1985.
The county seat is Hayward. Sawyer County borders Ashland County, Barron County, Bayfield County, Douglas County, Price County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Wisconsin
Property taxes in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Sawyer County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Sawyer County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer County, WI | 0.85% | $223,300 | $1,898 |
| Wisconsin state average | 1.44% | — | $3,216* |
| Ashland County | 1.47% | $160,500 | $2,354 |
| Barron County | 1.42% | $198,300 | $2,823 |
| Bayfield County | 1.07% | $228,100 | $2,432 |
| Douglas County | 1.35% | $190,400 | $2,564 |
| Price County | 1.45% | $146,000 | $2,110 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Sawyer County's median home value of $223,300. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sawyer County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Wisconsin?
At 0.85%, Sawyer County is lower than the Wisconsin state average of 1.44%. On a home at the county median of $223,300, that means about $1,898 per year — versus $3,216 at the state average rate, a difference of $1,318 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Sawyer County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Sawyer County?
For a home at the county median value of $223,300, the annual property tax in Sawyer County is approximately $1,898 — or about $158 per month. For a home worth $334,950, expect around $2,847 per year. For a $446,600 home, approximately $3,796 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Sawyer County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Sawyer County are handled by the Sawyer County Assessor's office in Hayward. 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 Sawyer County?
Wisconsin 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 0.85% shown here. Contact the Sawyer 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