48659 Property Tax Rate

Sterling, Michigan · Part of Arenac County

ACS 2019-2023 · Updated Dec 2024

Effective Tax Rate

1.40%

31.2% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$1,669

$139/mo escrow

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$1,669

Monthly

$139

Eff. Rate

1.40%

vs. Michigan Avg31.2% below
vs. National Avg38% below

How ZIP 48659 Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

ZIP 48659$1,669
Michigan Average$2,426
National Average$2,690

ZIP 48659

1.40%

Effective rate

Michigan Avg

1.22%

Effective rate

National Avg

1.10%

Effective rate

State Ranking

Property Tax Rank in Michigan

0.43%state avg 1.22%2.89%

Higher than 77% of ZIP codes in Michigan(77th percentile, 957 ZIPs compared)

Property Tax Analysis

Property Tax Insights for ZIP 48659

Property owners in ZIP code 48659 (Sterling, Michigan) pay a median of $1,669/year in property taxes on homes valued at $118,900. This translates to an effective tax rate of 1.40%, which is 15% above the Michigan state average of 1.22%.

The monthly property tax burden for a median-valued home in 48659 is approximately $139, which factors into escrow payments on mortgages. This ZIP code is located within Arenac County. This is $757 less than the Michigan average of $2,426/year.

Compared to similar ZIP codes in Michigan, 48659 has lower property taxes. ZIP codes with similar effective rates include 48726 (1.40%) and 48009 (1.40%).

In Sterling, property taxes represent approximately 2.9% of the median household income of $58,021, providing context for the relative tax burden on homeowners in this area.

Proposal A uncaps property at sale, resetting assessed value to market and increasing school operating taxes on the property. The Principle Residence Exemption (PRE) exempts school operating millage for owner-occupied primary residences — contact the Arenac County Assessor immediately after purchase to file and confirm approval. Submit your PRE application before the December 1 deadline to have it take effect for the next tax year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in ZIP code 48659?
The effective property tax rate in ZIP code 48659 (Sterling, MI) is 1.40%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax payment by the median home value within this ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA), based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
How much are property taxes in Sterling, MI (48659)?
The median annual property tax payment in ZIP code 48659 is $1,669. This figure represents the typical amount paid by homeowners in this area. Actual taxes vary based on your assessed property value and any applicable exemptions.
How does ZIP 48659 compare to the Michigan average?
ZIP code 48659's effective tax rate of 1.40% is higher than the Michigan state average of 1.22%. The median annual property tax in this ZIP is $1,669, compared to the state average of $2,426.
What is the median home value in ZIP 48659?
The median home value in ZIP code 48659 (Sterling, MI) is $118,900, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates at the ZCTA level.
What county is ZIP code 48659 in?
ZIP code 48659 is part of Arenac County in Michigan. For broader county-level property tax data, including comparisons with other counties in Michigan, visit the Arenac County profile on TaxByCounty.

Margin of Error

The median property tax estimate for this ZIP code has a margin of error of ±$208. ZCTA-level data has wider margins than county-level estimates due to smaller sample sizes.

County-Level Data

ZIP code 48659 is part of Arenac County, Michigan. View the full county profile for broader context and more data.

View Arenac County on TaxByCounty →

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates (ZCTA level). ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are Census approximations of USPS ZIP codes.

Estimates are informational only and should not be used as financial or legal advice.

Learn about our data sources and methodology →