Property Taxes in Delaware
Median Delaware property tax rate: 1.41%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Median Delaware home value: $64,200. Median annual Delaware tax bill: $1,362, $1,038 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. How are property taxes in Delaware calculated? Property taxes in Delaware are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption. Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you are in Delaware, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Delaware Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.41%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$905
$840
Ownwell’s Delaware Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Delaware with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Delaware's median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing homeownership costs in Delaware. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore county and city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Delaware
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws are involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare a Delaware county’s effective property tax rate to other counties in Delaware or the U.S. median property tax rate. For instance, Sussex County has the highest effective property tax rate in Delaware, at 2.20%, while New Castle County has the lowest, at 0.84%.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Delaware Tax Rate
1.41%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Delaware
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle | 0.48% | 0.69% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 1.76% |
| Sussex | 1.61% | 2.07% | 2.20% | 2.46% | 2.90% |
| Kent | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Delaware
Understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial when examining property taxes in Delaware. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market. Location, property condition, and economic market trends often influence it. Each Delaware county assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: Assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the end of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Delaware. For example, New Castle County has the highest median home price at $248,490.
Median Delaware Market Value
$64,200
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Delaware
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle | $61,650 | $158,055 | $248,490 | $359,550 | $475,740 |
| Sussex | $13,700 | $25,000 | $42,000 | $62,600 | $82,800 |
| Kent | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Delaware
In Delaware, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is typically lower than the market value. The state's property tax rate is generally below the national median of 1.02%, resulting in a median tax bill of $2,400. In New Castle County, homeowners face the highest median tax bill at $2,154, while Sussex County residents enjoy the lowest at $943. Factors such as location and home value significantly influence the tax bill. Homeowners in Delaware benefit from relatively low property taxes compared to other states, making it an attractive place for property investment and homeownership.
Median Delaware Tax Bill
$1,362
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Delaware
| County | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle | $740 | $1,345 | $2,154 | $3,150 | $4,340 |
| Sussex | $325 | $563 | $943 | $1,399 | $1,895 |
| Kent | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell