Worcester County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Worcester County is 1.41%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Maryland state median of 1.06%. With the median home value in Worcester County at $251,400, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $2,901, which is above the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Worcester 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 Worcester 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 Ocean City or another part of Worcester County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Worcester County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.41%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,545
$3,289
Ownwell’s Worcester County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Worcester County with just two data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Worcester 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 Worcester County, Maryland
Property taxes in Worcester County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Worcester County is 1.41%, which is higher than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Worcester County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Worcester 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 Worcester County's effective property tax rate with other counties in Maryland and the national median. For comparison, the city of Ocean City has one of the higher property tax rates in Maryland at 1.41%, while the city of Stockton boasts one of the lowest at 0.68%. Analyzing how Worcester County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Worcester County Tax Rate
1.41%
Average Maryland Tax Rate
1.06%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Worcester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 0.74% | 0.82% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.96% |
| Bishopville | 0.71% | 0.83% | 0.89% | 0.93% | 0.94% |
| Eden | 0.67% | 0.71% | 0.76% | 0.79% | 0.82% |
| Girdletree | 0.55% | 0.64% | 0.72% | 0.80% | 0.83% |
| Newark | 0.62% | 0.68% | 0.74% | 0.80% | 0.85% |
| Ocean City | 1.25% | 1.41% | 1.41% | 1.41% | 1.41% |
| Ocean Pines | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke City | 0.71% | 0.79% | 1.21% | 1.53% | 1.67% |
| Salisbury | 0.66% | 0.69% | 0.75% | 0.78% | 0.81% |
| Showell | 0.62% | 0.77% | 0.85% | 0.89% | 0.93% |
| Snow Hill | 0.67% | 0.74% | 0.82% | 1.35% | 1.54% |
| Stockton | 0.51% | 0.60% | 0.68% | 0.77% | 0.83% |
| West Ocean City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whaleyville | 0.62% | 0.71% | 0.82% | 0.88% | 0.92% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Worcester County, Maryland
In Worcester 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 Worcester 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 Worcester 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. Ocean City has the highest median tax bill at $3,308, while Girdletree has the lowest at $906. Being aware of these valuation processes in Worcester 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 Worcester County, Maryland
Source: Ownwell
$139,000
$228,325
$317,650
Average Worcester County Assessed Value
$251,400
Average Maryland Assessed Value
$317,700
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Worcester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | $169,880 | $224,200 | $285,700 | $377,900 | $510,420 |
| Bishopville | $121,230 | $207,400 | $317,650 | $460,150 | $673,280 |
| Eden | $139,950 | $162,325 | $233,900 | $316,275 | $377,300 |
| Girdletree | $77,420 | $100,400 | $139,000 | $189,900 | $280,100 |
| Newark | $122,370 | $170,100 | $255,050 | $334,650 | $433,190 |
| Ocean City | $120,100 | $171,300 | $246,800 | $351,600 | $498,300 |
| Ocean Pines | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke City | $75,960 | $110,100 | $149,200 | $204,600 | $287,400 |
| Salisbury | $120,310 | $146,000 | $242,950 | $307,875 | $426,620 |
| Showell | $85,910 | $107,600 | $163,600 | $206,925 | $260,980 |
| Snow Hill | $91,920 | $133,900 | $181,600 | $259,000 | $348,900 |
| Stockton | $64,480 | $101,850 | $141,800 | $200,350 | $298,260 |
| West Ocean City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whaleyville | $107,260 | $163,000 | $233,800 | $309,250 | $401,720 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Worcester County, Maryland
In Worcester County, MD, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the local tax assessor. The median home price in Worcester County is $251,400. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. Factors that influence the assessed value include the home's market value, location, and any improvements made to the property. Homeowners in Worcester County experience varying tax bills. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,959, while the 75th percentile tax bill rises to $4,198. At the higher end, the 90th percentile tax bill reaches $5,699. These figures show a range of property tax obligations, reflecting the diversity in property values within the county. Comparatively, Worcester County's property tax rates and bills can be higher or lower than the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, affecting homeowners' annual financial planning. In Ocean City, the highest median tax bill is $3,308, whereas in Girdletree, it is as low as $906.
Average Worcester County Tax Bill
$2,901
Average Maryland Tax Bill
$3,419
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Worcester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | $1,498 | $1,916 | $2,545 | $3,652 | $4,907 |
| Bishopville | $1,062 | $1,689 | $2,748 | $4,150 | $6,166 |
| Eden | $907 | $1,169 | $1,790 | $2,320 | $2,995 |
| Girdletree | $530 | $651 | $906 | $1,439 | $2,171 |
| Newark | $913 | $1,244 | $1,758 | $2,423 | $3,268 |
| Ocean City | $1,680 | $2,339 | $3,308 | $4,681 | $6,410 |
| Ocean Pines | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Pocomoke City | $673 | $1,083 | $1,729 | $2,465 | $3,552 |
| Salisbury | $872 | $1,042 | $1,793 | $2,395 | $3,246 |
| Showell | $769 | $900 | $1,213 | $1,763 | $2,241 |
| Snow Hill | $862 | $1,239 | $1,755 | $2,471 | $3,656 |
| Stockton | $397 | $590 | $925 | $1,436 | $2,172 |
| West Ocean City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Whaleyville | $817 | $1,173 | $1,763 | $2,476 | $3,345 |
Source: Ownwell