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County tax profile · 2026 · Census ACS + IRS data

Property Tax & Income in Jefferson County, New York

Jefferson County has an effective property tax rate of 1.54%. On the median home value of $188,200, that's roughly $2,899 per year. Median household income is $66,301.

Effective Property Tax Rate1
1.54%
median tax $2,899 ÷ median home $188,200
Median Home Value1
$188,200
owner-occupied
Median Household Income1
$66,301
per-capita $36,025
Est. Annual Tax on Median Home1
$2,899
at 1.54% effective rate

What you'll pay, at a glance

Property taxes are the largest local tax most homeowners pay. The effective rate measures the real tax bill as a share of home value — a more useful number than the nominal “mill rate,” because assessment practices vary county to county.

MetricJefferson CountyNew York (state context)
Effective property tax rate11.54%2.04%
Median home value1$188,200—
State income tax3top rate 10.90%top rate 10.90%
State sales tax38.54% combined8.54% combined

How this is calculated

The effective property tax rate is the median real-estate tax bill divided by the median home value — both for owner-occupied homes, from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS 5-year estimates)1. Median income is also from the ACS1. Federal and state income-tax figures use IRS2 and Tax Foundation3 data.

About Jefferson County, NY

Someone weighing a move to Jefferson County, New York will find home prices and tax bills that sit comfortably below many parts of the state. The median home value is $188,200, and the annual property tax on that median home comes to about $2,899, based on an effective rate of 1.540%. That rate trails New York's statewide median of 2.040%, and among the state's 62 counties, this one ranks 49th, placing it in the lower third for tax burden. Households here earn a median of $66,301, with per-capita income at $36,025. Watertown, the largest community in the county, anchors a region that also includes Fort Drum and Adams. Buyers comparing options across New York may find that the combination of below-average rates and moderate home values keeps annual carrying costs lower than in higher-tax counties.

Frequently asked questions

What is the property tax rate in Jefferson County, NY?
The effective rate is 1.54% — meaning the median tax bill equals about 1.54% of the median home value.
How much are property taxes on a median home?
On the median home ($188,200), the estimated annual bill is about $2,899.
Is Jefferson County's rate high or low?
Compare it to the state median of 2.04% and the national average near 1.1%.
How does the effective rate differ from my mill rate?
A mill rate is the nominal levy per $1,000 of assessed value. The effective rate reflects what you actually pay after exemptions and assessments — it's the median tax bill as a share of median home value, so it better predicts your real cost.
Will a reassessment raise my tax bill?
Not necessarily. If your home's assessed value rises, your bill can go up, but only if the mill rate and exemptions stay flat. Contact the Jefferson County assessor's office to review your current assessment.
Can I appeal my property tax assessment?
Yes. Most counties allow an appeal when you believe the assessed value exceeds the market value. File with the Jefferson County assessor within the local deadline, typically with comparable sales as evidence.
Sources
[1] U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year (2023) — Median home value (B25077), median real-estate taxes (B25103), median household income (B19013), per-capita income (B19301).
[2] IRS — Statistics of Income — County income, AGI, and real-estate taxes paid.
[3] Tax Foundation — State income, sales, corporate, and estate/inheritance tax rates.