Residents
Where Your Property Taxes Go
Every year Winthrop Harbor residents receive one property tax bill from Lake County. That bill pays for more than just the Village.
Every year Winthrop Harbor residents receive one property tax bill from Lake County. That bill pays for more than just the Village. It is divided among several local governments, and each one sets its own levy. The biggest share goes to our schools.
Your Property Tax Dollar
For every $1 you pay in property taxes:
Winthrop Harbor School District #1
Elementary schools
Zion Benton High School District #126
High school
Village of Winthrop Harbor
All other taxing districts
Together, the two school districts receive about 72 cents of every dollar. The Village receives about 12 cents.
A Real Example
Here is how the bill breaks down for a home in the 1900 block of 9th Street with an estimated value of $269,000:
| Taxing District | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Winthrop Harbor School District #1 | $2,376.06 | 41% |
| Zion Benton High School District #126 | $1,796.90 | 31% |
| Village of Winthrop Harbor | $692.66 | 12% |
| All other taxing districts | $946.90 | 16% |
| Total tax bill | $5,812.52 | 100% |
Of a $5,812 bill, about $693 goes to the Village.
What the Village's 12 Cents Covers
Winthrop Harbor runs its own Fire Department and its own Parks and Recreation Department. In many nearby communities, fire protection and parks are separate taxing districts with their own line on your bill. Here, the Village's share pays for:
Property Taxes Are Only Part of the Picture
Property taxes make up about 26% of the money the Village uses to pay for services. In the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2025, the Village collected about $8.14 million for these services:
| Source | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Property taxes | $2,133,337 | 26% |
| Fees and charges for services | $1,380,033 | 17% |
| State income tax (Village share) | $1,165,359 | 14% |
| Sales tax (Village's 1% share) | $818,307 | 10% |
| Landfill host fees (GFL) | $745,317 | 9% |
| Utility, cannabis, and other local taxes | $738,192 | 9% |
| Grants | $383,626 | 5% |
| Motor Fuel Tax (roads only) | $339,863 | 4% |
| Video gaming | $242,746 | 3% |
| Interest and other | $190,368 | 2% |
How the Village Spends It
That same year, the Village spent about $7.73 million on services:
| Service | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Police, fire, and ambulance | $3,257,331 | 42% |
| General government | $1,873,094 | 24% |
| Capital projects and equipment | $1,057,097 | 14% |
| Streets | $655,602 | 8% |
| Vehicle and building maintenance | $384,096 | 5% |
| Recreation | $257,131 | 3% |
| Debt payments | $242,076 | 3% |
Public safety is the Village's largest expense. Capital projects include road work paid from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the Village Hall roof, and a deposit on a new ambulance.
Water and sewer are paid separately through your water bill. Those charges are not part of your property tax bill or the figures above.
Figures are estimates based on the Village of Winthrop Harbor financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025, and a sample Lake County tax bill. They are approximate and subject to change. Your own bill will vary based on your property's assessed value and exemptions.