Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Dakota, Illinois
Median Dakota, Illinois effective property tax rate: 2.89%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33%.
Median Dakota, Illinois home value: $110,826
Median annual Dakota, Illinois tax bill: $3,201, $801 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Stephenson calculated?
Property taxes in Dakota, 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 Dakota's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Dakota, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.89%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,203
$2,972
How Does the Dakota Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Dakota property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Dakota's median effective tax rate of 2.89% — based on actual property records in Stephenson County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment 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 Dakota'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 Dakota: rates range from 2.89% in 61018 to 2.89% in 61018, 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 Dakota.
About Dakota Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Dakota, Stephenson, Illinois
Dakota’s median effective property tax rate of 2.89% is higher than the Illinois state median of 2.33% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Stephenson County base levy combined with local school district levies and other local charges that can affect what homeowners pay.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Dakota. Homeowners in the 61018 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.89%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 2.89%. This reflects how local taxing districts and assessment boundaries are drawn across Stephenson County.
Dakota homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the January 1, 2026 deadline each year.
With a median home price of $110,826 and a median tax bill of $3,201, Dakota homeowners pay $801 more than the Illinois median tax bill. If your estimated bill 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 Dakota, Stephenson 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 Dakota'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 ÷ 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 Dakota Tax Rate
2.89%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ 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 Stephenson County Tax Rate
3.02%
Median Effective Illinois Tax Rate
2.33%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61018 | 2.89% | 2.89% | 2.89% | 3.03% | 3.08% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
When examining property taxes in Dakota, 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 Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Dakota.
For example, the median home price in Dakota is $110,826, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 61018 has the highest median home price at $110,826.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell
$49,413
$108,669
$167,925
Median Dakota Market Value
$110,826
Median Stephenson County Market Value
$75,993
Median Illinois Market Value
$227,888
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61018 | $17,637 | $72,880 | $110,826 | $138,408 | $197,802 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
Property tax bills in Dakota are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. When the assessed value rises, the tax bill can increase unless exemptions or appeals reduce it. For homeowners, this means the amount owed each year depends not only on the market value of the property, but also on how local budgets are funded through property taxes.
In Stephenson County, the median home price is $110,826, and the median property tax bill is $3,201. That is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects how local assessments and tax rates can create a heavier burden for homeowners. Bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $1,869 and the 75th percentile at $4,198, showing that two similar homes may still face very different tax bills.
Median Dakota Tax Bill
$3,201
Median Stephenson County Tax Bill
$2,141
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$5,277
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Dakota, Stephenson County, Illinois
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61018 | $527 | $1,869 | $3,201 | $4,198 | $6,095 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Stephenson Tax Assessor | |
| Website | stephensonil.devnetwedge.com |