Joy, Mercer County, Illinois Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Joy, Illinois
Median Joy, Illinois effective property tax rate: 2.96%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33%.
Median Joy, Illinois home value: $172,144
Median annual Joy, Illinois tax bill: $5,152, $2,752 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Mercer calculated?
Property taxes in Joy, Illinois are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Joy's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Joy, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Joy, Mercer County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.96%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,095
$4,728
How Does the Joy Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Joy property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Joy's median effective tax rate of 2.96% — based on actual property records in Mercer County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Joy's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Joy: rates range from 2.96% in 61260 to 2.96% in 61260, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Joy.
About Joy Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Joy, Mercer, Illinois
Joy’s median effective property tax rate of 2.96% is higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Mercer County base levy combined with local school district levies and special service areas that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Joy. Homeowners in the 61260 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.96%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 2.96%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Mercer County. Understanding where you live in Joy can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Joy homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the November 7, 2025 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Joy's effective property tax rate to other cities in Illinois and the median property tax rates in Illinois and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Joy Tax Rate
2.96%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Mercer County Tax Rate
2.81%
Median Effective Illinois Tax Rate
2.33%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61260 | 2.53% | 2.75% | 2.96% | 3.17% | 3.32% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
When examining property taxes in Joy, Illinois, understanding the distinction between “market value” and “assessed value” is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Mercer County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Mercer County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By understanding how assessed and market values are determined, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and the valuation process affecting property taxes in Joy.
For example, the median home price in Joy is $172,144, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 61260 has the highest median home price at $172,144.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell
$103,635
$155,352
$207,068
Median Joy Market Value
$172,144
Median Mercer County Market Value
$150,030
Median Illinois Market Value
$227,888
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61260 | $29,627 | $102,244 | $172,144 | $277,186 | $396,748 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
Property tax bills in Joy are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply their tax rates to that assessed value, and the final bill reflects both the home’s value and the levies set by schools, counties, and other local services. For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value can lead to a larger bill, even if the home has not been sold.
In Joy, the median home price is $172,144, and the median property tax bill is $5,152. That is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and well above the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $3,146 and the 75th percentile at $8,430, while the 90th percentile reaches $12,111.
Median Joy Tax Bill
$5,152
Median Mercer County Tax Bill
$4,254
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$5,277
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Joy, Mercer County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61260 | $1,452 | $3,146 | $5,152 | $8,430 | $12,111 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | November 7 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Mercer Tax Assessor | |
| Website | merceril.devnetwedge.com |