Valuation up 1 percent to $2.93 billion total

The valuation of property in Hamilton County rose by approximately 1 percent for the second straight year, with ag land values holding steady across the board.
Hamilton County Assessor Pat Sandberg posted the 2021 valuation totals for all taxing subdivisions last week, noting an increase of $31.56 million for a total of $2.93 billion. A year ago, Sandberg reported a $19.4 million increase representing a 1 percent gain, while two years ago she posted a $79 million dip, which was the third consecutive year of decline at the time. Clearly, she observed, the trend is headed in the right direction.
“The housing market is still very, very volatile in Hampton, Giltner, Phillips, Aurora and elsewhere, not just Hamilton County,” she said. “The housing market is staying steady and rolling along.”
In addition to a strong real estate market, Sandberg noted that new real estate growth is another positive indicator of a strong local economy.
“Real estate growth last year was a little over $18 million and this year it’s right at $19 million,” she reported. “That zeroes out every year so it’s not another million added to last year, it’s $19 million of new growth, which is all the new homes, new buildings, new bins, new barns and basements.”
While COVID-19 created negative impacts in so many ways across the state and nation, Sandberg said the pandemic may have actually sparked a surge in construction totals.

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