What is the property tax rate in Yakima County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Yakima County, Washington is approximately 1.00%.

Yakima County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Washington Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Yakima County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Yakima-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Yakima County — including Washington's 100% assessment ratio, the regular vs. excess levy structure, Initiative 747's 1% annual cap on regular levy revenue growth, and the income-tested Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption with assessed-value freeze.

Yakima County, home to Yakima and 256k Washingtonians, operates under Washington State's distinctive levy-based property tax system. Washington uses 100% assessment ratio (assessed at true and fair market value) and total tax combines state school + local school + county + city + special districts (typically expressed as dollars per $1,000 of AV). Initiative 747 (passed by voters in 2001) caps regular levy revenue growth at 1% per year per district.

How the bill is built

Washington's property tax calculation has two main steps. Step 1: Assessed Value. The Yakima County Assessor reassesses property annually at true and fair market value. Step 2: Apply combined rate. Total rate combines all overlapping districts (state school + local schools + county + city + EMS + library + fire + park + flood control + cemetery, depending on location). Yakima's combined rate is approximately 10.00 per $1,000 of AV. Tax = (AV × combined rate) / 1,000. Yakima's effective rate of 1.00% reflects this calculation.

Initiative 747's 1% revenue cap creates structural rate stability. When property values rise, the rate decreases automatically so total levy revenue grows by no more than 1% per year per district (excluding new construction and voter-approved excess levies). This has produced unusually stable effective rates over time — long-term WA homeowners typically see modest, predictable bill growth even during housing bubbles. The cap excludes voter-approved school maintenance and operations levies, which is why school district rates often dominate the combined bill.

Washington has no state income tax — but compensates with high sales tax. Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax (alongside TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, AK, NH). The state-level sales tax is 6.5%, with local add-ons typically bringing combined sales tax to 8.5-10.5% depending on the locality (King County combined: ~10.1%, among the highest in the United States). For high-income residents the no-income-tax structure typically offsets the high sales tax substantially; for lower-income residents the trade-off is less favorable.

Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption is income-tested. Income limits (2026): under $30,000 = full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze; $30K-$35K = 65% reduction + freeze; $35K-$45K = 35% reduction + freeze. Apply with the Yakima Assessor office. The same program applies to disabled veterans — Washington does NOT have a separate veteran-specific full exemption, which puts WA among the less-generous states for disabled veterans relative to TX, FL, MI, NJ, PA, OH, or VA.

2026 Yakima County rate breakdown (dollars per $1,000 of AV (100% assessment ratio), Yakima district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Yakima Public Schools (~$3.10 / $1,000 AV)	3.1000
State School + Local Schools Levies	2.9500
Yakima County General + Roads + Misc	1.5500
City of Yakima + EMS + Library	2.4000
Combined total	10.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Yakima County Assessor.

Note: Yakima County is **the agricultural heart of Washington** — producing approximately 75% of all hops grown in the United States (and ~25% of global hop production for craft beer), plus substantial apples, cherries, pears, and wine grapes. The Yakima Valley is one of the most-productive irrigated agricultural regions in the United States, supported by the Yakima Project (a federal Bureau of Reclamation irrigation system, completed 1933). The county includes the Yakama Nation reservation (the second-largest reservation in Washington by population).

Note: Yakima County effective property tax rates run approximately 1.00% — moderate by Washington standards. Washington 100% assessment ratio applies. The agricultural tax base is substantial but generally lower-revenue per acre than residential. Median home values (~$271K) are the lowest among the major Washington counties we cover, making Yakima notably affordable.

Note: For relocation buyers: Yakima offers **the agricultural Pacific Northwest choice** — full Washington benefits (no state income tax) at very affordable home prices. The wine country (around Prosser, Sunnyside) is a destination market for second homes and tasting-room tourism. The Selah/West Valley area is the wealthier suburban portion; Yakima itself has a substantial Latino population (~40%+) reflecting the agricultural workforce demographics.

Senior/disabled exemption and excess levies for 2026

Washington's homeowner tax relief is concentrated in a single income-tested Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption (covering both seniors AND disabled veterans). Initiative 747's 1% revenue cap creates structural rate stability for ALL property owners regardless of exemption status.

Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption

Washington's exemption combines a partial reduction of regular property taxes with a freeze on assessed value at the time of qualification. Income limits (2026) are tiered:

Income under $30,000: Full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze
Income $30,000-$35,000: 65% reduction in regular levies + AV freeze
Income $35,000-$45,000: 35% reduction in regular levies + AV freeze

Eligibility: must be 61+ OR disabled OR a disabled veteran with 80%+ service-connected disability. Apply with the Yakima Assessor office. Once qualified, the AV freeze locks in your assessed value as of the qualification year — even if market values rise substantially, your assessed value (and tax base) remains constant. The exemption applies to regular levies only; voter-approved excess levies (typically school M&O) are still owed.

Property Tax Deferral Program (seniors 60+)

Washington offers a Property Tax Deferral Program separate from the senior exemption — eligible seniors 60+ with income under ~$57K can defer property tax payments (with state-paid interest) until the property is sold or transferred. The deferred amount becomes a lien on the property. This is particularly valuable for cash-poor / asset-rich seniors who want to remain in their homes.

Excess Levies (school M&O)

Washington's regular levies are capped at 1% annual revenue growth per district under Initiative 747 (2001). However, voter-approved excess levies — primarily school maintenance and operations levies — are exempt from the 1% cap. Excess levies typically run 2-4 year terms and require 60% voter approval. School excess levies often dominate the combined tax bill (typically 30-50% of the total) — when these levies expire and are renewed (or fail), bills can change significantly. Watch for ballot measures.

Appealing your assessment

Washington's appeal process runs through the County Board of Equalization (BOE). Homeowners file a Petition for Review with the BOE within 60 days of the change of value notice (or by July 1, whichever is later). The BOE holds hearings — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days; from there to Superior Court. Most Washington counties reassess annually under the State Department of Revenue's revaluation cycle.

Cities and towns in Yakima County

Yakima County contains 6 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Yakima to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Yakima County is subject to Yakima County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Yakima County seat	city	96,968
Sunnyside	city	16,413
Grandview	city	11,243
Toppenish	city	8,884
Selah	city	8,108
Wapato	city	4,815

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Yakima tax district. Other cities in Yakima County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Yakima County Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Washington property taxes due?

Washington property taxes are due in two installments: April 30 (first half) and October 31 (second half). Bills under $50 must be paid in full by April 30. Late payments incur 1% per month interest plus a 3% delinquency penalty after May 31 (first half) or December 1 (second half). Most Washington homeowners pay through escrow via their mortgage servicer. The Yakima Assessor office handles collection.

What is Initiative 747 and how does it limit my taxes?

Initiative 747 (passed by Washington voters in 2001) caps regular levy revenue growth at 1% per year per district. When property values rise (sometimes substantially), the rate decreases automatically so total revenue grows by no more than 1%. The cap excludes new construction (so growing districts can collect more) and voter-approved excess levies (primarily school maintenance and operations levies, which require 60% voter approval). I-747 has produced unusually stable effective rates over time — long-term Washington homeowners typically see modest, predictable bill growth even during housing bubbles. The Washington Supreme Court initially struck down I-747 in 2007, but the legislature re-enacted it in a 2007 special session.

How does Washington's no-state-income-tax structure affect total tax burden?

Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax (alongside TX, FL, TN, NV, SD, WY, AK, NH). The state-level sales tax is 6.5%, with local add-ons typically bringing combined sales tax to 8.5-10.5% depending on locality. For high-income residents, the no-income-tax structure typically produces meaningful net savings — especially for buyers relocating from California (which has top marginal income tax of 13.3%) or New York (10.9%). For lower-income residents, the high sales tax shifts more burden to consumption-based taxation. Property tax effective rates in Washington (~0.8-1.1%) are moderate by national standards.

How do I apply for the Senior/Disabled Persons Exemption?

The Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption is income-tested with three tiers (2026): under $30K = full exemption from regular levies + AV freeze; $30K-$35K = 65% reduction + freeze; $35K-$45K = 35% reduction + freeze. Eligibility: must be 61+ OR disabled OR a disabled veteran with 80%+ service-connected disability. Apply with the Yakima Assessor office. Once qualified, the AV freeze locks in your assessed value as of the qualification year. The exemption applies to regular levies only; voter-approved excess levies are still owed. Disabled veterans use this same program — Washington does not have a separate veteran-specific full exemption.

How do I appeal my Washington assessment?

File a Petition for Review with your County Board of Equalization (BOE) within 60 days of the change of value notice (or by July 1, whichever is later). The BOE holds hearings — homeowners can present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or independent appraiser testimony. BOE decisions can be appealed to the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days; from there to Superior Court. Most Washington counties reassess annually under the State Department of Revenue's revaluation cycle.

About Yakima County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Yakima County produces **approximately 75% of all hops grown in the United States** — the Yakima Valley's combination of high desert sunshine, irrigation water, deep volcanic soils, and minimal rainfall creates ideal hop-growing conditions. The Yakima Valley is **one of the four major hop-producing regions in the world** (alongside the Hallertau region of Bavaria, Germany; the Žatec/Saaz region of Czech Republic; and the Kent region of England). The American craft beer revolution's explosion of hop-forward IPAs since the 1990s is directly built on Yakima hop production — varieties like Cascade, Centennial, Citra, and Mosaic were developed in the Yakima Valley and now define the global craft beer hop palate.

Hometown hero

William O. Douglas

The longest-serving US Supreme Court Justice in history (1939-1975, 36+ years) was raised in Yakima — graduating from Yakima High School in 1916 before attending Whitman College (Walla Walla) and Columbia Law School. Douglas was one of the most-influential 20th-century US Supreme Court justices, particularly on civil liberties, environmental law, and substantive due process. The William O. Douglas Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains (165,000 acres, designated 1984) is named in his honor and reflects his lifelong environmental advocacy.

Biggest annual event

Central Washington State Fair + hop harvest events

The Central Washington State Fair (annual, late September at the Yakima Valley SunDome) is one of the largest fairs in eastern Washington, drawing 250,000+ attendees over its 10-day run. Hop harvest tours and tasting events (annual, August-September) draw beer enthusiasts from across the United States to the Yakima Valley's hop fields and craft breweries. The Toppenish Mural Society maintains 70+ historic murals throughout downtown Toppenish (a small Yakima County city), drawing significant cultural tourism.

Property Tax in Yakima County, 2026