Durham County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Durham County is 1.31%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the North Carolina state median of 0.82%. With the median home value in Durham County at $220,810, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $2,770, which is above the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham or another part of Durham County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Durham County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.31%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,893
Ownwell’s Durham County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner estimate their annual property taxes in Durham County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Durham 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 Durham County, North Carolina
Property taxes in Durham County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Durham County is 1.31%, which is higher than both the North Carolina state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Durham County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Durham 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 Durham County's effective property tax rate with other counties in North Carolina and the national median. For comparison, the city of Chapel Hill has one of the higher property tax rates in North Carolina at 1.31%, while the city of Wake Forest boasts one of the lowest at 0.91%. Analyzing how Durham County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Durham County Tax Rate
1.31%
Average North Carolina Tax Rate
0.82%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Durham County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahama | 0.91% | 0.93% | 0.96% | 1.00% | 1.04% |
| Chapel Hill | 1.31% | 1.31% | 1.31% | 1.32% | 1.32% |
| Durham | 1.02% | 1.31% | 1.31% | 1.31% | 1.31% |
| Hillsborough | 0.93% | 0.94% | 0.96% | 1.00% | 1.02% |
| Morrisville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Raleigh | 0.93% | 0.96% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% |
| Rougemont | 0.86% | 0.91% | 0.95% | 1.01% | 1.09% |
| Timberlake | 0.91% | 0.92% | 0.94% | 0.97% | 0.99% |
| Wake Forest | 0.91% | 0.91% | 0.91% | 0.91% | 0.91% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham County, North Carolina
Understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes in Durham County, NC. 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 Durham 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 Durham 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. For instance, Wake Forest has the highest median tax bill at $7,951, while Rougemont has the lowest at $1,840. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Durham County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$164,928
$519,945
$874,961
Average Durham County Assessed Value
$220,810
Average North Carolina Assessed Value
$197,136
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Durham County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahama | $120,473 | $176,570 | $247,484 | $333,602 | $418,788 |
| Chapel Hill | $149,577 | $220,858 | $340,384 | $473,582 | $628,291 |
| Durham | $115,255 | $158,259 | $217,050 | $300,265 | $400,182 |
| Hillsborough | $158,026 | $187,546 | $292,565 | $353,788 | $420,434 |
| Morrisville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Raleigh | $192,012 | $198,677 | $234,497 | $391,739 | $479,755 |
| Rougemont | $85,165 | $136,244 | $198,650 | $276,023 | $361,463 |
| Timberlake | $221,261 | $260,221 | $327,586 | $432,552 | $544,453 |
| Wake Forest | $874,961 | $874,961 | $874,961 | $874,961 | $874,961 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Durham County, North Carolina
In Durham County, NC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county's tax assessor. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. For instance, with a median home price of $220,810, homeowners can expect varying tax bills depending on their property's value and location within the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is about $1,962, while the 75th percentile reaches $3,890, and the 90th percentile can be as high as $5,212. These figures highlight the range of property tax burdens homeowners may face. Comparatively, the highest median tax bill in Durham County is $7,951 in Wake Forest, whereas the lowest is $1,840 in Rougemont. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners as property taxes significantly impact annual expenses. With the national median property tax rate at 0.99%, Durham County's tax rates and assessed values can either offer relief or add to the financial burden, depending on the specific circumstances of the property.
Average Durham County Tax Bill
$2,770
Average North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,615
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Durham County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahama | $1,214 | $1,716 | $2,384 | $3,101 | $3,833 |
| Chapel Hill | $1,981 | $2,780 | $4,391 | $6,138 | $8,165 |
| Durham | $1,393 | $1,948 | $2,747 | $3,858 | $5,156 |
| Hillsborough | $1,611 | $1,876 | $2,748 | $3,341 | $3,917 |
| Morrisville | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Raleigh | $2,129 | $2,344 | $2,703 | $4,010 | $5,240 |
| Rougemont | $891 | $1,320 | $1,840 | $2,578 | $3,362 |
| Timberlake | $2,180 | $2,512 | $3,085 | $4,063 | $4,930 |
| Wake Forest | $7,951 | $7,951 | $7,951 | $7,951 | $7,951 |
Source: Ownwell