The median commercial property tax rate in Wales reached 1.1% for fiscal year 2025, representing the ninth-highest rate in Waukesha County, as reported by BlockShopper.com.
Wales matched the county’s overall median, also at 1.1% in fiscal year 2025.
Tax rates across all 23 Waukesha County cities ranged from Vernon, at 0.4%, up to Dousman, which reported a rate of 2.4%.
For fiscal year 2024, Wales posted a median commercial property tax rate of 0.9%, placing the city at 16th in the county.
An analysis by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy showed that average commercial property tax rates stood at 1.76% for 53 major U.S. cities in 2024. For properties assessed at $1 million with $200,000 of fixtures, the estimated annual tax came to approximately $21,060. Nationwide, rates stretched from well below 1% in some areas to as high as 4% elsewhere.
Differential classification systems in multiple states often set commercial, industrial, and apartment property tax rates higher than those for residential properties. In certain jurisdictions, businesses may face property tax rates several times higher compared to the residential rates—for example, rates in Charleston can reach about six times residential levels.
| Rank | City | Tax Rate % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dousman | 2.4% |
| 2 | Butler | 1.9% |
| 3 | Hartland | 1.4% |
| 4 | Nashotah | 1.2% |
| 4 | Waukesha | 1.2% |
| 4 | Elm Grove | 1.2% |
| 4 | Mukwonago | 1.2% |
| 4 | Oconomowoc | 1.2% |
| 9 | Delafield | 1.1% |
| 9 | Wales | 1.1% |
| 9 | New Berlin | 1.1% |
| 9 | Brookfield | 1.1% |
| 13 | Oconomowoc Lake | 1% |
| 13 | Menomonee Falls | 1% |
| 13 | Pewaukee | 1% |
| 13 | Lannon | 1% |
| 17 | Muskego | 0.9% |
| 17 | Sussex | 0.9% |
| 19 | Big Bend | 0.8% |
| 20 | Eagle | 0.7% |
| 21 | Okauchee Lake | 0.6% |
| 22 | Merton | 0.5% |
| 23 | Vernon | 0.4% |
| Rank | Address | Tax Rate % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 325 Universal St. | 10.2% |
| 2 | 110 James St. | 2.9% |
| 3 | 271 Summit Ave. | 1.9% |
| 4 | 450 N. Wales Road | 1.4% |
| 5 | 200 N. Wales Road | 1% |
| 5 | 144 E Summit Ave. | 1% |
| 7 | 320 W Summit Ave. | 0.9% |
Note: Certain property addresses could be incomplete or missing due to county assessor data limitations.
This article sources its information from BlockShopper.com. The original data is available here.
