Burke County, North Carolina Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Burke County, North Carolina
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Burke County effective property tax rate: 0.72%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Burke County home value: $144,639
Median annual Burke County tax bill: $1,021, $1,379 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Burke County calculated?

Property taxes in Burke County 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. Whether you live in Morganton or another part of Burke County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Burke County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.72%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,041

$966

Ownwell’s Burke County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Burke County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Burke County’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 property taxes in Burke County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Burke County, North Carolina

Local government entities in North Carolina set property tax rates, and these can vary greatly from one area to another. Each year, counties like Burke estimate their required budget to fund public services and then divide this by the total value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation determines the effective property tax rate. In Burke County, the median property tax rate stands at 0.72%, which is notably lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This means that property owners in Burke County generally pay less in property taxes compared to the national average. Within Burke County, the town of Hildebran has the highest median tax rate at 0.89%, while Nebo boasts the lowest at 0.69%. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax rates, as they can significantly impact property tax bills. By comparing Burke County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median, property owners can gain valuable insights into their tax obligations.

Property Tax Rates Across Burke County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.69%

0.79%

0.89%

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 Burke County Tax Rate

0.72%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Burke County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Connelly Springs	0.67%	0.71%	0.75%	0.80%	0.90%
Hickory	0.68%	0.72%	0.75%	0.92%	1.09%
Hildebran	0.78%	0.87%	0.89%	0.92%	0.98%
Lawndale	0.54%	0.70%	0.74%	0.75%	0.78%
Lenoir	0.56%	0.71%	0.73%	0.77%	0.81%
Morganton	0.58%	0.62%	0.69%	0.74%	0.85%
Nebo	0.66%	0.67%	0.69%	0.73%	0.80%
Newland	0.71%	0.72%	0.74%	0.77%	0.82%
Valdese	0.68%	0.71%	0.80%	1.13%	1.16%
Drexel	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rutherford College	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Vale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Burke County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Burke County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Burke County Assessor's Office 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 middle of April. 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 Burke County. For example, the median tax bill in Burke County is $1,200, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Nebo has the highest median home price at $450,926.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Burke County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$112,237

$281,582

$450,926

Median Burke County Market Value

$144,639

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Burke County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Connelly Springs	$35,297	$74,303	$126,294	$199,067	$301,495
Hickory	$40,476	$76,101	$123,242	$204,845	$278,477
Hildebran	$56,436	$93,502	$137,978	$181,925	$223,721
Lawndale	$84,988	$106,588	$168,704	$198,186	$299,008
Lenoir	$63,785	$93,038	$154,987	$222,316	$312,164
Morganton	$48,021	$91,782	$148,084	$230,236	$351,905
Nebo	$51,026	$133,353	$450,926	$902,303	$1,335,563
Newland	$64,496	$104,175	$181,050	$288,346	$420,605
Valdese	$59,592	$99,540	$153,894	$220,652	$310,641
Drexel	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rutherford College	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Vale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Burke County, North Carolina

In Burke County, NC, property tax bills are determined by the assessed value of a home and the applicable tax rate. The median home price in this area is $144,639. The property tax rate is applied to this assessed value to calculate the tax bill, which can vary significantly depending on the specific location within the county. For instance, the median property tax bill ranges from $919 in Connelly Springs to $2,995 in Nebo. The tax bill at the 25th percentile is $631, indicating that a quarter of homeowners pay less than this amount, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $1,582, meaning three-quarters pay less. At the 90th percentile, the tax bill reaches $2,376, illustrating the upper range of what homeowners might expect to pay. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Burke County generally offers more affordable property taxes, which can be a significant consideration for homeowners when budgeting annual expenses.

Property Tax Bills Across Burke County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$919

$1,957

$2,995

Median Burke County Tax Bill

$1,021

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Burke County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Connelly Springs	$308	$546	$919	$1,432	$2,122
Hickory	$345	$609	$994	$1,549	$2,077
Hildebran	$492	$788	$1,161	$1,591	$1,936
Lawndale	$535	$796	$1,218	$1,440	$2,013
Lenoir	$476	$695	$1,068	$1,532	$2,120
Morganton	$361	$617	$984	$1,507	$2,267
Nebo	$408	$914	$2,995	$6,109	$9,089
Newland	$500	$767	$1,313	$2,068	$3,004
Valdese	$477	$837	$1,310	$1,949	$2,756
Drexel	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Rutherford College	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Vale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell