Steele County, MN Property Tax: $2,824/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Steele County is 1.21% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $234,200, that works out to about $2,834 per year, or $236 per month. Steele County is located in southeastern Minnesota, and is home to approximately 37,413 residents.
About Steele County
Steele County covers approximately 429.5 square miles in Minnesota. The county is home to about 37,413 residents living in roughly 15,878 housing units, of which 75.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $83,448, and the median home was built in 1975.
Steele County borders Dodge County, Freeborn County, Mower County, Rice County, Waseca County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Minnesota
Property taxes in Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Steele County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Steele County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steele County, MN | 1.21% | $234,200 | $2,834 |
| Minnesota state average | 0.97% | — | $2,272* |
| Dodge County | 1.08% | $267,500 | $2,902 |
| Freeborn County | 1.06% | $164,900 | $1,750 |
| Mower County | 1.06% | $172,000 | $1,819 |
| Rice County | 0.97% | $298,500 | $2,899 |
| Waseca County | 1.19% | $213,200 | $2,537 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Steele County's median home value of $234,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Steele County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Minnesota?
At 1.21%, Steele County is higher than the Minnesota state average of 0.97%. On a home at the county median of $234,200, that means about $2,834 per year — versus $2,272 at the state average rate, a difference of $562 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Steele County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Steele County?
For a home at the county median value of $234,200, the annual property tax in Steele County is approximately $2,834 — or about $236 per month. For a home worth $351,300, expect around $4,251 per year. For a $468,400 home, approximately $5,668 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Steele County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Steele County are handled by the Steele 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 Steele County?
Minnesota 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 1.21% shown here. Contact the Steele 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