Orange County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Orange County effective property tax rate: 1.31%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Orange County home value: $295,700
Median annual Orange County tax bill: $3,822, $1,422 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Orange County calculated?

Property taxes in Orange 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 Chapel Hill or another part of Orange County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Orange County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.31%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$3,874

$3,595

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

Property Tax Rates Across Orange County, North Carolina

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, 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 Orange County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median property tax rate. Orange County has a median property tax rate of 1.31%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Orange County, Carrboro stands out with the highest median tax rate at 1.72%, whereas Hurdle Mills offers some relief with a lower rate of 0.96%. Understanding these differences can help property owners make informed decisions and potentially save on their property tax bills.

Property Tax Rates Across Orange County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.96%

1.34%

1.72%

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 Orange County Tax Rate

1.31%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Orange County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Carrboro	1.69%	1.70%	1.72%	1.77%	1.84%
Cedar Grove	0.46%	0.93%	0.99%	1.03%	1.08%
Chapel Hill	1.03%	1.20%	1.67%	1.69%	1.73%
Durham	0.94%	0.96%	0.98%	1.03%	1.18%
Efland	0.94%	0.97%	1.00%	1.04%	1.10%
Hillsborough	0.94%	0.97%	1.02%	1.49%	1.53%
Hurdle Mills	0.43%	0.84%	0.96%	0.99%	1.03%
Mebane	0.94%	1.00%	1.06%	1.25%	1.26%
Rougemont	0.60%	0.94%	0.96%	0.99%	1.03%
Timberlake	0.90%	0.97%	1.03%	1.05%	1.07%
Pittsboro	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange 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 Orange County. For example, the median tax bill in Orange County is $3,312, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Chapel Hill has the highest median home price at $373,700.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$121,250

$275,000

$428,750

Median Orange County Market Value

$295,700

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Carrboro	$113,100	$176,300	$284,100	$376,875	$462,170
Cedar Grove	$66,590	$113,850	$195,250	$315,725	$479,240
Chapel Hill	$153,000	$243,600	$373,700	$548,250	$760,690
Durham	$68,220	$158,400	$292,100	$507,500	$732,220
Efland	$73,360	$118,750	$196,800	$313,750	$443,440
Hillsborough	$90,500	$163,250	$265,400	$387,000	$532,280
Hurdle Mills	$103,552	$176,050	$259,600	$376,050	$523,840
Mebane	$80,200	$146,300	$203,700	$261,000	$329,700
Rougemont	$98,280	$164,690	$237,150	$352,825	$511,890
Timberlake	$87,780	$102,500	$121,250	$211,225	$337,860
Pittsboro	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Orange County, North Carolina

In Orange County, NC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is determined by the county assessor. The assessed value is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. This rate is set by local government authorities and can vary across different areas within the county. Factors such as the size, location, and condition of the property can influence the assessed value, impacting the homeowner's tax bill. For instance, in Chapel Hill, the highest median tax bill reaches $5,654, reflecting the area's higher property values. Conversely, Timberlake sees the lowest median tax bill at $1,191, showcasing the diversity in tax burdens within the county. The tax bill can significantly affect homeowners, as it represents a substantial recurring expense. With a median home price of $295,700 in Orange County, the tax bills can range widely, with the 25th percentile at $2,242 and the 90th percentile at $9,362, highlighting the variation in financial obligations for property owners.

Property Tax Bills Across Orange County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$1,191

$3,888

$6,585

Median Orange County Tax Bill

$3,822

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Orange County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Carrboro	$2,084	$3,069	$4,847	$6,381	$7,820
Cedar Grove	$491	$1,054	$1,671	$2,556	$3,684
Chapel Hill	$2,182	$3,430	$5,654	$8,418	$11,591
Durham	$670	$1,596	$2,925	$4,923	$7,120
Efland	$721	$1,168	$1,886	$2,941	$4,069
Hillsborough	$1,000	$1,756	$2,939	$4,290	$5,959
Hurdle Mills	$718	$1,441	$2,132	$3,273	$4,321
Mebane	$821	$1,465	$2,267	$2,944	$3,681
Rougemont	$846	$1,473	$2,155	$2,983	$4,220
Timberlake	$920	$1,040	$1,191	$1,862	$2,563
Pittsboro	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell