Cowlitz County, WA Property Taxes (2026)

Cowlitz County owners pay a median of $2,988 a year on a median home value of $367,400, an effective rate of 0.81%. That's the 14th-highest rate of 39 Washington counties with Census data, above the Washington county median of 0.79%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

0.81%

14th highest of 39 in WA

Median annual bill

$2,988

~$249/month

Median home value

$367,400

Washington county median

0.79%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Cowlitz County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Cowlitz County's 0.81% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$2,976
Savings at 10–15% off
$298–$446
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Cowlitz County vs. Washington vs. U.S. property tax rates

Cowlitz County0.81%
Washington county median0.79%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Cowlitz County's effective property tax rate is 0.81%, vs. 0.79% for the median Washington county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 14th of 39 in Washington. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Cowlitz County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Cowlitz County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Cowlitz County deadline is July 1 or 60 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $2,988 bill, 10–15% off is $299–$448 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in Washington

Washington homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Cowlitz County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Cowlitz County, Washington?
The median effective property tax rate in Cowlitz County is 0.81%: a median annual bill of $2,988 on a median home value of $367,400. That's the 14th-highest rate of 39 Washington counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Cowlitz County?
The median Cowlitz County property tax bill is $2,988 a year, about $249 a month, compared with a Washington county median of $2,860.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Cowlitz County?
The deadline to appeal in Cowlitz County is July 1 or 60 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Cowlitz County a high property tax area?
Cowlitz County's 0.81% effective rate is above the Washington county median of 0.79% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 14th-highest rate of 39 Washington counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Cowlitz County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Lewis County

Rate: 0.71%

Median bill: $2,433

Clark County

Rate: 0.84%

Median bill: $4,080

Wahkiakum County

Rate: 0.60%

Median bill: $2,084

Skamania County

Rate: 0.72%

Median bill: $3,380

Thurston County

Rate: 0.90%

Median bill: $4,043

Pacific County

Rate: 0.82%

Median bill: $2,250

Pierce County

Rate: 0.94%

Median bill: $4,555

Mason County

Rate: 0.75%

Median bill: $2,833

← All 39 Washington counties

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