Scotts Bluff County, NE Property Tax: $2,401/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Scotts Bluff County is 1.49% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $161,400, that works out to about $2,405 per year, or $200 per month. Scotts Bluff County is located in western Nebraska, with Gering as its county seat, and is home to approximately 35,937 residents.
About Scotts Bluff County
Scotts Bluff County covers approximately 739.6 square miles in Nebraska. The county is home to about 35,937 residents living in roughly 16,474 housing units, of which 62.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $60,960, and the median home was built in 1968.
The county seat is Gering. Scotts Bluff County borders Banner County, Box Butte County, Morrill County, Sioux County, Goshen 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 Scotts Bluff County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Scotts Bluff County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Bluff County, NE | 1.49% | $161,400 | $2,405 |
| Nebraska state average | 1.28% | — | $2,066* |
| Banner County | 1.51% | $166,300 | $2,516 |
| Box Butte County | 1.49% | $161,100 | $2,397 |
| Morrill County | 1.30% | $112,000 | $1,453 |
| Sioux County | 1.21% | $141,700 | $1,721 |
| Goshen County | 0.59% | $234,600 | $1,395 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Scotts Bluff County's median home value of $161,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Scotts Bluff County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Nebraska?
At 1.49%, Scotts Bluff County is higher than the Nebraska state average of 1.28%. On a home at the county median of $161,400, that means about $2,405 per year — versus $2,066 at the state average rate, a difference of $339 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Scotts Bluff County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Scotts Bluff County?
For a home at the county median value of $161,400, the annual property tax in Scotts Bluff County is approximately $2,405 — or about $200 per month. For a home worth $242,100, expect around $3,607 per year. For a $322,800 home, approximately $4,810 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Scotts Bluff County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Scotts Bluff County are handled by the Scotts Bluff County Assessor's office in Gering. 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 Scotts Bluff 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 1.49% shown here. Contact the Scotts Bluff 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