Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Wilmington, NC effective property tax rate: 0.56%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.82%.
Median Wilmington, NC home value: $253,200
Median annual Wilmington, NC tax bill: $1,604, $796 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in New Hanover calculated?

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

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.56%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,418

$1,316

Ownwell’s Wilmington Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Wilmington with just two data points.

By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Wilmington’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by New Hanover 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 New Hanover.

For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget 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 there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Wilmington’s effective property tax rate to other cities in North Carolina and the median property tax rates in North Carolina and the U.S. Wilmington, located in New Hanover County, has a property tax rate that reflects the area's economic needs and property values. The city’s tax rate is notably lower than the national median, making it an attractive location for property owners seeking affordability. Within Wilmington, the highest property tax rate is found in the 28401 zip code, while the lowest is in the 28411 zip code. Comparing these rates to the national median property tax rate of 1.02% highlights Wilmington's competitive edge in property tax affordability, offering residents a cost-effective option for property ownership.

Property Tax Rates Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.54%

0.69%

0.84%

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 Wilmington Tax Rate

0.56%

Median Effective New Hanover County Tax Rate

0.57%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
28401	0.53%	0.84%	0.84%	0.85%	0.85%
28403	0.84%	0.84%	0.84%	0.85%	0.85%
28405	0.44%	0.55%	0.64%	0.84%	0.85%
28409	0.53%	0.54%	0.63%	0.84%	0.85%
28411	0.52%	0.53%	0.54%	0.55%	0.56%
28412	0.52%	0.54%	0.56%	0.84%	0.85%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Wilmington, 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 New Hanover 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 New Hanover 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 Wilmington.

For example, the median home price in Wilmington is $253,200, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 28409 has the highest median home price at $310,100.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$174,100

$558,250

$942,400

Median Wilmington Market Value

$253,200

Median New Hanover County Market Value

$265,900

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
28401	$95,980	$128,500	$174,100	$245,300	$336,320
28403	$120,800	$161,100	$235,700	$354,550	$534,880
28405	$135,300	$179,400	$229,100	$346,000	$686,080
28409	$183,800	$237,900	$310,100	$413,900	$594,800
28411	$189,800	$218,400	$295,000	$425,200	$619,320
28412	$142,700	$176,900	$245,400	$329,600	$419,910

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

In Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a home by the local tax rate. The assessed value is typically a percentage of the market value, which can fluctuate based on various factors such as location and home improvements. For Wilmington homeowners, understanding these assessments is crucial, as they directly influence the tax bill. The median property tax bill in Wilmington is notably lower than the national median of $2400, with bills ranging from $1155 at the 25th percentile to $3627 at the 90th percentile. Zip code 28409 sees the highest median tax bill at $2066, while 28405 has the lowest at $1344. These figures highlight potential savings opportunities for homeowners. Ownwell can assist Wilmington homeowners by reviewing assessments, identifying inaccuracies, and filing appeals to ensure fair taxation. By leveraging their expertise, homeowners can potentially reduce their tax burden, ensuring they pay only what is necessary and possibly saving hundreds on their property tax bills.

Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$1,060

$3,025

$4,990

Median Wilmington Tax Bill

$1,604

Median New Hanover County Tax Bill

$1,671

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
28401	$672	$952	$1,359	$1,861	$2,521
28403	$891	$1,294	$1,920	$2,872	$4,351
28405	$798	$1,086	$1,344	$2,508	$5,447
28409	$1,060	$1,471	$2,066	$2,931	$4,173
28411	$999	$1,157	$1,526	$2,181	$3,126
28412	$776	$1,089	$1,466	$2,153	$2,936

Source: Ownwell