Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Median Kinston, NC effective property tax rate: 1.61%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the NC state median of 0.82%.
Median Kinston, NC home value: $65,943
Median annual Kinston, NC tax bill: $781, $1,619 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lenoir County calculated?
Property taxes in Kinston, 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 Kinston’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Kinston, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.61%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,062
$985
Property Tax Rates Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This variation arises because each county annually estimates its required budget to provide essential services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. The result of this calculation is the property tax rate. Although votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
In Kinston, located in Lenoir County, the effective property tax rate can be compared to other cities in North Carolina. The median property tax rate in North Carolina stands at 1.61%, which is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This indicates a more significant tax burden on property owners in the state compared to the national average. Within Kinston, the highest median tax rate is 1.61% in the 28501 zip code, while the lowest is 1.02% in the 28504 zip code. Understanding these variations can help property owners make informed decisions and potentially seek property tax appeal services to ensure they are not overpaying.
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 Kinston Tax Rate
1.61%
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 Lenoir County Tax Rate
1.07%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.82%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
28501 | 0.91% | 1.12% | 1.61% | 1.62% | 1.62% |
28504 | 0.90% | 0.94% | 1.02% | 1.61% | 1.62% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Kinston, 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 Lenoir 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.
In Lenoir County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle 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 Kinston. For example, the median home price in Kinston is $65,943, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 28504 has the highest median home price at $87,452.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell

$41,983
$72,309
$102,634
Median Kinston Market Value
$65,943
Median Lenoir County Market Value
$66,089
Median North Carolina Market Value
$197,136
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
28501 | $11,367 | $20,491 | $41,983 | $75,097 | $128,046 |
28504 | $23,466 | $52,849 | $87,452 | $121,106 | $171,714 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Median Kinston Tax Bill
$781
Median Lenoir County Tax Bill
$738
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,615
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
28501 | $158 | $301 | $578 | $999 | $1,590 |
28504 | $260 | $561 | $948 | $1,473 | $2,095 |
Source: Ownwell