Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Chapel Hill, NC effective property tax rate: 0.84%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.82%.
Median Chapel Hill, NC home value: $430,876
Median annual Chapel Hill, NC tax bill: $3,547, $1,147 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Chatham County calculated?

Property taxes in Chapel Hill, NC 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 Chapel Hill’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Chapel Hill, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.84%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,619

$3,359

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

Property Tax Rates Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This variation occurs because each county annually estimates its required budget for 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 play roles in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.

Chapel Hill in Chatham County, NC, has an effective property tax rate that reflects these local calculations. The median property tax rate in North Carolina is 0.84%, which is below the national median of 1.02%. Within Chapel Hill, the highest median tax rate is 0.85% in the 27516 zip code, while the lowest is 0.84% in the 27517 zip code. This range demonstrates the slight variations that can exist even within a single city. Compared to other cities in North Carolina, Chapel Hill's rates are competitive, offering residents a relatively favorable tax environment. Understanding these rates can help property owners make informed decisions about appealing their property assessments or seeking exemptions.

Property Tax Rates Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.81%

0.92%

1.03%

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 Chapel Hill Tax Rate

0.84%

Median Effective Chatham County Tax Rate

0.85%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27516	0.81%	0.84%	0.85%	0.85%	0.87%
27517	0.81%	0.82%	0.84%	0.85%	0.86%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Chapel Hill, NC, 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 Chatham County appraisal district 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: In Chatham County, 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 Chapel Hill. For example, the median home price in Chapel Hill is $430,876, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 27517 has the highest median home price at $503,058.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$108,164

$413,964

$719,763

Median Chapel Hill Market Value

$430,876

Median Chatham County Market Value

$323,510

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27516	$235,873	$315,856	$389,668	$455,246	$529,219
27517	$225,881	$387,517	$503,058	$647,888	$847,768

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

In Chapel Hill, located in Chatham County, NC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home. The median home price here is $430,876, with property taxes considerably impacting homeowners. The tax bill can range from $2,729 at the 25th percentile to $5,901 at the 90th percentile. Chapel Hill's property tax rate surpasses the national median rate of 1.02%, leading to a higher tax burden compared to the national median tax bill of $2,400. The highest median tax bill in the area is $4,106 in the 27517 zip code, while the lowest is $3,206 in the 27516 zip code. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax assessments.

Homeowners can significantly benefit from Ownwell's expertise in property tax appeals and exemptions. By analyzing individual property assessments and identifying potential discrepancies, Ownwell can help reduce tax liabilities. This tailored approach ensures that homeowners pay only their fair share, potentially saving them hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually on their property tax bills.

Property Tax Bills Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$973

$3,310

$5,647

Median Chapel Hill Tax Bill

$3,547

Median Chatham County Tax Bill

$2,675

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Chapel Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27516	$1,817	$2,574	$3,206	$3,744	$4,396
27517	$1,815	$3,083	$4,106	$5,300	$6,924

Source: Ownwell