Minnesota— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.99%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$422,000
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$4,164/yr
2024 data
Washington County's 0.99% effective property tax rate falls in the middle 50% of US counties — close to the national median of 0.81%. Within Minnesota's 87 counties, it's the 42nd highest. On the county's median home value of $422,000, the typical homeowner pays $4,164 annually in property tax — $2,535 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Minnesota's 0.33% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $1,393 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the seller. FEMA data shows 15.4% of the county's land area sits within a Special Flood Hazard Area — a high exposure level that may trigger mandatory flood insurance on mortgaged properties.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Washington County.
County median: $422,000
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
High flood risk. Flood insurance likely required by your lender. Verify the flood zone at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Minnesota property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Washington County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Homestead Market Value Exclusion
Excludes up to $38,000 of market value for homesteads ≤$95,000 (40% of value). Phases out as home value rises and fully phases out at $517,200.
View official source →Senior Citizens' Property Tax Deferral
Homeowners 65+ with household income under $60,000 can defer property taxes exceeding 3% of income. Deferred amount is repaid when home is sold.
View official source →Disabled Veterans Homestead Value Exclusion
Excludes $150,000 of market value for veterans with 70-99% VA disability, and $300,000 for 100% total and permanent disability. Primary residence only.
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Washington County.
The effective property tax rate in Washington County is 0.99% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($4,164) divided by the median home value ($422,000), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
Minnesota's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.33% of the purchase price. On the median Washington County home value of $422,000, this adds roughly $1,393 at closing. Deed Tax 0.33% of consideration, seller-paid per Minn. Stat. 287.21. Hennepin and Ramsey counties add a 0.01% Environmental Response Fund Tax (ERT). Buyers with mortgages also pay Mortgage Registry Tax of 0.23% on the loan amount (not purchase price; not included in buyer_rate). Hennepin/Ramsey add 0.01% ERT on MRT too.
Partially. 15.4% of Washington County's land area lies within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Whether flood insurance is required depends on your specific property — check msc.fema.gov before making an offer.
Closing costs for a buyer in Washington County typically run $8,440–$21,100 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Washington County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.99% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Washington County.
Guides for Minnesota home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →