Residents of Enumclaw, Black Diamond, and Buckley will all see in an increase in their property taxes this year.
As a whole, Pierce County tax bills rose approximately 5.3 percent on average from 2021 to 2022, while King County reports an average increase of 8.6 percent; however, both counties also reported “modest” property tax collections — 3 percent in King County, and 5.3 percent in Pierce — despite the rising tax rate.
“Residential property values have continued to rise during the COVID 19 pandemic, partly driven by a lack of housing inventory,” said King County Assessor John Wilson. “Still, it is important to remember that voter approved levies, and not the value of your property, is the primary cause of increased property taxes. Local governments may only increase property tax collections by 1 percent per year without a vote of the people. Voter approved levies are not subject to that restriction.”
“In recent years, tax bills fluctuated due to the state legislature and local school districts responding to the McCleary court decision on school funding,” Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan said. “Last year taxes settled down in most areas, and this year we see moderate increases in most parts of Pierce County, even a decrease in one area.”
Here’s how property taxes have increased in specific cities:
ENUMCLAW
Enumclaw ended up being in the top 10 cities with the largest property tax bill increases across the county, with 10.92 percent.
The median house value for the area, King County reported, went from $345,000 to $420,000 from 2021 to 2022, while the levy rate decreased from $11 per $1,000 in assessed property value to $10; this resulted in the median property owner’s tax bill rising from approximately $3,796 to $4,210.
BLACK DIAMOND
If you thought Enumclaw’s tax bill increase was bad — hold onto your wallets, because Black Diamond’s average tax bill jumped 13.11 percent from 2021 to 2022, putting it in the top four cities with the highest bill increases in the county.
The median house value in the area surged from $411,000 to $512,000, while the property tax rate decreased from $10.15 per $1,000 in assessed value to $9.2; this resulted in the median property owner’s tax bill going from about $4,173 to around $4,720.
BUCKLEY
Buckley residents fared the best of the three cities.
According to Mike Lonergan, Pierce County’s assessor-treasurer, the average tax bill only rose by 2.9 percent from 2021 to 2022.
The average home value in the area increased from $375,500 to about $431,500, while the property tax rate dropped from $11.63 per $1,000 in assessed property value to $10.41, all resulting in the average tax bill rising from $4,365 to $4,492.
