Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Deford, Michigan
Median Deford, Michigan effective property tax rate: 0.90%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Michigan state median of 1.05%.
Median Deford, Michigan home value: $136,400
Median annual Deford, Michigan tax bill: $1,180, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Tuscola calculated?
Property taxes in Deford, Michigan 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 Deford's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Deford, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.9%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,228
$1,139
How Does the Deford Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Deford property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Deford's median effective tax rate of 0.90% — based on actual property records in Tuscola County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Deford'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 Deford: rates are 0.90% in 48729, primarily due to differences in local levies and assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Deford.
About Deford Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Deford, Tuscola, Michigan
Deford’s median effective property tax rate of 0.90% is lower than the Michigan state median of 1.05% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Tuscola County levy and local taxing districts that help determine how property taxes are assessed across the area.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Deford. In this case, the median rate is 0.90% in both the highest and lowest ZIP code, 48729, so there is no ZIP-level spread within the city. That means homeowners in Deford generally face the same effective rate, even though assessed values and tax bills can still differ.
Deford homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tuscola County Tax Assessor after notices go out in February, with the appeal deadline set for March 9, 2026.
If your 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 Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
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 Deford's effective property tax rate to other cities in Michigan and the median property tax rates in Michigan 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 Deford Tax Rate
0.90%
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 Tuscola County Tax Rate
0.92%
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48729 | 0.55% | 0.72% | 0.90% | 1.11% | 1.49% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Deford, Michigan, 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 Tuscola 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 Tuscola County, assessment notices are sent in February each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
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. For example, the median home price in Deford is $136,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 48729 has the highest median home price at $136,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$10,700
$119,350
$228,000
Median Deford Market Value
$136,400
Median Tuscola County Market Value
$151,400
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48729 | $59,440 | $87,800 | $136,400 | $210,400 | $300,360 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
Property tax bills in Deford are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price. Local tax rates are applied to that assessment to determine the amount a homeowner owes each year. Factors such as the home’s value, the tax rate set by local governments, and any exemptions or special assessments can all influence the final bill.
In Deford, the median home price is $136,400, and the median property tax bill is $1,180. That is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400, which can make the area more affordable for many homeowners. Still, bills can vary widely: the 25th percentile is $781, while the 75th percentile is $1,887 and the 90th percentile reaches $2,715.
For homeowners, this means a property tax bill can change based on how a home is assessed and whether local rates shift. Even in the same city, similar homes may owe different amounts depending on their assessed value and eligibility for tax relief.
Median Deford Tax Bill
$1,180
Median Tuscola County Tax Bill
$1,305
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Deford, Tuscola County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48729 | $517 | $781 | $1,180 | $1,887 | $2,715 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 9 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Tuscola Tax Assessor | |
| Website | bsaonline.com |