Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Chapel Hill, NC effective property tax rate: 1.67%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.82%.
Median Chapel Hill, NC home value: $373,700
Median annual Chapel Hill, NC tax bill: $5,654, $3,254 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Orange 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, Orange County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.67%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$6,241

$5,791

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

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

Tax rates are determined by local government entities and can differ significantly within a state. This is because each year, counties like Orange County in North Carolina estimate their required budget to deliver services and divide this by the total assessed value of all taxable property within their jurisdiction. This calculation establishes the property tax rate. Although the process involves votes and regulations to set these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual procedure. Chapel Hill, located in Orange County, showcases a property tax rate that is notably higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Chapel Hill, the highest median tax rate is found in the 27517 zip code at 1.67%, while the lowest is slightly lower in the 27516 zip code at 1.66%. Comparatively, North Carolina’s median property tax rate is 1.67%, reflecting a higher rate than the national median. This information provides valuable insight into how property taxes in Chapel Hill compare to broader regional and national trends.

Property Tax Rates Across Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill Tax Rate

1.67%

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 Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27514	1.17%	1.65%	1.67%	1.70%	1.75%
27516	1.00%	1.17%	1.66%	1.69%	1.71%
27517	1.19%	1.63%	1.67%	1.70%	1.73%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Chapel Hill, Orange 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 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.

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 Chapel Hill.

For example, the median home price in Chapel Hill is $373,700, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 27514 has the highest median home price at $419,000.

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

Source: Ownwell

$121,250

$275,000

$428,750

Median Chapel Hill Market Value

$373,700

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 Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27514	$138,160	$243,600	$419,000	$605,800	$826,280
27516	$157,860	$243,600	$362,600	$515,300	$674,080
27517	$167,000	$243,375	$337,850	$573,225	$938,960

Source: Ownwell

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

In Chapel Hill, located in Orange County, NC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is distinct from its market value. The tax rate is applied to this assessed value to determine the annual tax bill. In Chapel Hill, the median home price is $373,700, which significantly affects the tax bill. Tax bills in this area range widely, with the 25th percentile at $3,430 and the 75th percentile soaring to $8,418. The highest median tax bill in the area is $6,585, particularly in the 27514 ZIP code, while the lowest median tax bill is $5,260 in the 27517 ZIP code. These figures highlight the financial impact on homeowners, especially when compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Ownwell offers a solution by providing expert property tax appeal services, potentially reducing the tax burden for homeowners. By analyzing assessments and identifying discrepancies, Ownwell helps ensure homeowners pay only what is fair, maximizing savings and offering peace of mind.

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

Source: Ownwell

$1,191

$3,888

$6,585

Median Chapel Hill Tax Bill

$5,654

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 Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
27514	$2,292	$3,792	$6,585	$9,464	$12,874
27516	$1,908	$3,198	$5,288	$7,804	$10,156
27517	$2,792	$3,822	$5,260	$8,544	$14,103

Source: Ownwell