Macon County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Macon County effective property tax rate: 0.38%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Macon County home value: $263,040
Median annual Macon County tax bill: $945, $1,455 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Macon County calculated?

Property taxes in Macon 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 Franklin or another part of Macon County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Macon County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.38%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,000

$928

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

Property Tax Rates Across Macon County, North Carolina

Local government entities in North Carolina set tax rates, which can vary widely within the state. Each county estimates its required budget annually 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 Macon County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median property tax rate. Macon County boasts a notably lower effective property tax rate of 0.38% compared to the national median of 1.02%. This significantly lower rate can result in substantial savings for property owners. For instance, a home valued at $250,000 in Macon County would incur a property tax bill of approximately $950, much lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. This stark contrast highlights the potential financial benefits of owning property in this region, making it an attractive option for current and prospective homeowners alike.

Property Tax Rates Across Macon County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.34%

0.37%

0.39%

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 Macon County Tax Rate

0.38%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Macon County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bryson City	0.35%	0.37%	0.39%	0.42%	0.46%
Franklin	0.34%	0.36%	0.38%	0.41%	0.46%
Highlands	0.30%	0.30%	0.34%	0.40%	0.41%
Otto	0.36%	0.38%	0.39%	0.42%	0.48%
Scaly Mountain	0.32%	0.33%	0.35%	0.37%	0.40%
Topton	0.33%	0.34%	0.36%	0.39%	0.42%
Sylva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Macon County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Macon 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 Macon County tax 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.

In Macon 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 Macon County.

For example, the median tax bill in Macon County is $1,544, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Highlands has the highest median home price at $740,480.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Macon County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$209,490

$474,985

$740,480

Median Macon County Market Value

$263,040

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Macon County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bryson City	$98,498	$173,730	$232,700	$358,360	$433,138
Franklin	$87,020	$146,300	$218,440	$317,450	$451,888
Highlands	$293,132	$468,190	$740,480	$1,259,110	$1,963,556
Otto	$82,689	$143,928	$209,490	$302,270	$408,573
Scaly Mountain	$133,760	$200,300	$350,500	$563,000	$851,290
Topton	$112,002	$172,442	$278,635	$436,880	$718,568
Sylva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Macon County, North Carolina

In Macon County, NC, property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the market value of the property, which local assessors determine based on various factors such as location, size, and condition. For homeowners in Macon County, the property tax bill can vary significantly. The 25th percentile tax bill is $625, indicating that a quarter of homeowners pay this amount or less. On the higher end, the 75th percentile tax bill is $1,544, and the 90th percentile reaches $2,872. Comparatively, the median tax bill in Macon County is lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Homeowners in Highlands experience the highest median tax bill in the county at $2,524, while those in Franklin enjoy the lowest at $809. These variations in property tax bills can significantly impact homeowners' budgets, influencing decisions about buying, selling, or investing in property within the county.

Property Tax Bills Across Macon County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$809

$1,667

$2,524

Median Macon County Tax Bill

$945

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Macon County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bryson City	$417	$584	$893	$1,357	$1,689
Franklin	$368	$570	$809	$1,133	$1,568
Highlands	$973	$1,592	$2,524	$4,243	$6,773
Otto	$367	$584	$815	$1,134	$1,478
Scaly Mountain	$498	$713	$1,183	$1,853	$2,802
Topton	$430	$633	$994	$1,515	$2,399
Sylva	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell