St. Clair County, MI Property Tax: $2,493/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in St. Clair County is 1.17% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $213,900, that works out to about $2,503 per year, or $209 per month. St. Clair County is located in southeastern Michigan, and is home to approximately 160,089 residents.
About St. Clair County
St. Clair County covers approximately 721.5 square miles in Michigan. The county is home to about 160,089 residents living in roughly 72,467 housing units, of which 74.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $69,349, and the median home was built in 1975.
St. Clair County borders Lapeer County, Macomb County, Sanilac County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Michigan
Property taxes in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 St. Clair County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
St. Clair County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair County, MI | 1.17% | $213,900 | $2,503 |
| Michigan state average | 1.17% | — | $2,503* |
| Lapeer County | 0.95% | $229,100 | $2,185 |
| Macomb County | 1.42% | $231,400 | $3,293 |
| Sanilac County | 0.92% | $162,200 | $1,488 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at St. Clair County's median home value of $213,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does St. Clair County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Michigan?
At 1.17%, St. Clair County is equal to the Michigan state average of 1.17%. On a home at the county median of $213,900, that means about $2,503 per year — versus $2,503 at the state average rate, a difference of $0 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, St. Clair County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in St. Clair County?
For a home at the county median value of $213,900, the annual property tax in St. Clair County is approximately $2,503 — or about $209 per month. For a home worth $320,850, expect around $3,754 per year. For a $427,800 home, approximately $5,005 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a St. Clair County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in St. Clair County are handled by the St. Clair 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 St. Clair County?
Michigan 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 1.17% shown here. Contact the St. Clair 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