Knox County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Knox County is 1.55%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 0.99% but slightly lower than Maine's state median of 1.57%. With the median home value in Knox County at $198,500, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $3,340, surpassing the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Knox County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Knox County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Rockland or another part of Knox County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Knox County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.57%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,140
Ownwell’s Knox County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Knox County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Knox County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Knox County, Maine
Property taxes in Knox County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Knox County is 1.55%, which is higher than both the Maine state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Knox County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Knox County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Knox County's effective property tax rate with other areas in Maine and the national median. For comparison, the city of Rockland has one of the higher property tax rates in Maine at 2.43%, while the city of Saint George boasts one of the lowest at 1.01%. Analyzing how Knox County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Knox County Tax Rate
1.55%
Average Maine Tax Rate
1.57%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Knox County, Maine
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | 2.15% | 2.15% | 2.15% | 2.15% | 2.15% |
| Camden | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% | 1.32% |
| Cushing | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% |
| Friendship | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% |
| Hope | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.71% | 1.72% | 1.72% |
| North Haven | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% |
| Owls Head | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.40% |
| Rockland | 2.43% | 2.43% | 2.43% | 2.43% | 2.43% |
| Rockport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint George | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% |
| South Thomaston | 1.61% | 1.61% | 1.62% | 1.62% | 1.62% |
| Spruce Head | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% |
| Tenants Harbor | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% | 1.01% |
| Thomaston | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.18% |
| Union | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.55% |
| Vinalhaven | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% | 1.23% |
| Warren | 1.39% | 1.39% | 1.39% | 1.39% | 1.39% |
| Washington | 1.56% | 1.56% | 1.56% | 1.56% | 1.56% |
| West Rockport | 1.54% | 1.54% | 1.54% | 1.54% | 1.55% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Knox County, Maine
In Knox County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Knox County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Knox County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Camden has the highest median tax bill at $5,317, while Friendship has the lowest at $2,132. Being aware of these valuation processes in Knox County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Average Knox County Assessed Value
$198,500
Average Maine Assessed Value
$204,200
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Knox County, Maine
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $85,100 | $117,050 | $159,200 | $208,650 | $269,360 |
| Camden | $208,760 | $293,500 | $402,600 | $601,800 | $953,160 |
| Cushing | $79,830 | $127,945 | $193,540 | $311,910 | $518,090 |
| Friendship | $81,690 | $123,375 | $182,200 | $336,500 | $508,800 |
| Hope | $103,810 | $153,075 | $207,050 | $276,050 | $362,000 |
| North Haven | $150,320 | $190,800 | $273,100 | $374,100 | $569,640 |
| Owls Head | $106,090 | $162,360 | $239,940 | $419,920 | $617,430 |
| Rockland | $109,520 | $141,150 | $178,000 | $226,600 | $303,260 |
| Rockport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint George | $131,500 | $172,000 | $229,700 | $407,350 | $690,260 |
| South Thomaston | $117,410 | $163,075 | $229,250 | $332,625 | $462,830 |
| Spruce Head | $118,560 | $161,900 | $253,200 | $425,000 | $713,460 |
| Tenants Harbor | $154,400 | $195,950 | $273,000 | $415,800 | $587,140 |
| Thomaston | $94,640 | $123,406 | $160,924 | $209,306 | $274,669 |
| Union | $133,040 | $188,000 | $255,400 | $332,300 | $447,980 |
| Vinalhaven | $130,360 | $170,000 | $237,800 | $347,500 | $572,780 |
| Warren | $106,000 | $170,150 | $231,500 | $291,750 | $364,500 |
| Washington | $67,590 | $115,200 | $163,950 | $205,225 | $248,190 |
| West Rockport | $297,540 | $314,400 | $342,500 | $370,600 | $387,460 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Knox County, Maine
In Knox County, ME, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by local assessors. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. Various factors, such as property size, location, and market conditions, influence the assessed value. For instance, the median home price in Knox County is $198,500. Homeowners in the county can expect their tax bills to vary significantly; the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,628, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $5,005. The 90th percentile tax bill even reaches $7,465. Comparatively, Camden has the highest median tax bill at $5,317, whereas Friendship has the lowest at $2,132. These property tax rates can greatly impact homeowners, as higher tax bills may affect affordability and overall financial planning. With the national median property tax rate at 0.99%, Knox County's tax rates provide a diverse range of financial obligations for its residents.
Average Knox County Tax Bill
$3,340
Average Maine Tax Bill
$3,200
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Knox County, Maine
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $1,830 | $2,516 | $3,423 | $4,486 | $5,791 |
| Camden | $2,779 | $3,887 | $5,317 | $7,948 | $12,620 |
| Cushing | $1,237 | $1,983 | $3,000 | $4,834 | $8,030 |
| Friendship | $956 | $1,444 | $2,132 | $3,937 | $5,953 |
| Hope | $1,780 | $2,625 | $3,554 | $4,734 | $6,206 |
| North Haven | $2,180 | $2,767 | $3,960 | $5,424 | $8,260 |
| Owls Head | $1,485 | $2,273 | $3,359 | $5,879 | $8,644 |
| Rockland | $2,658 | $3,426 | $4,318 | $5,497 | $7,361 |
| Rockport | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saint George | $1,328 | $1,737 | $2,320 | $4,114 | $6,972 |
| South Thomaston | $1,896 | $2,628 | $3,698 | $5,348 | $7,459 |
| Spruce Head | $1,198 | $1,635 | $2,612 | $4,477 | $7,367 |
| Tenants Harbor | $1,559 | $1,980 | $2,757 | $4,200 | $5,930 |
| Thomaston | $2,065 | $2,693 | $3,512 | $4,567 | $5,993 |
| Union | $2,154 | $2,928 | $3,962 | $5,172 | $6,944 |
| Vinalhaven | $1,603 | $2,091 | $2,925 | $4,274 | $7,046 |
| Warren | $1,473 | $2,365 | $3,218 | $4,056 | $5,067 |
| Washington | $1,055 | $1,798 | $2,558 | $3,201 | $3,872 |
| West Rockport | $4,597 | $4,857 | $5,292 | $5,726 | $5,986 |
Source: Ownwell