Rutherford County, North Carolina Property Taxes

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

Median Rutherford County effective property tax rate: 0.45%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Rutherford County home value: $123,100
Median annual Rutherford County tax bill: $516, $1,884 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Rutherford County calculated?

Property taxes in Rutherford 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 Forest City or another part of Rutherford County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Rutherford County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.45%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$554

$514

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

Property Tax Rates Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, leading to significant variations within a state. This is because each county annually estimates the budget needed to provide services, dividing it by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation determines the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process. In Rutherford County, NC, the effective property tax rate is 0.45%, which is considerably lower than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This makes Rutherford County an attractive option for property owners seeking lower tax rates. Within the county, Lake Lure has the highest median tax rate at 0.62%, while Union Mills enjoys the lowest at 0.40%. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2400, Rutherford County residents benefit from significantly lower property tax obligations, enhancing its appeal for prospective homeowners.

Property Tax Rates Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.37%

0.49%

0.62%

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 Rutherford County Tax Rate

0.45%

Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bostic	0.20%	0.33%	0.41%	0.51%	0.72%
Chimney Rock	0.45%	0.52%	0.61%	0.89%	0.93%
Ellenboro	0.22%	0.36%	0.43%	0.53%	0.87%
Forest City	0.27%	0.38%	0.48%	0.67%	1.00%
Henrietta	0.16%	0.29%	0.47%	0.54%	0.64%
Lake Lure	0.32%	0.42%	0.62%	0.75%	0.99%
Mill Spring	0.24%	0.27%	0.37%	0.44%	0.49%
Mooresboro	0.20%	0.34%	0.43%	0.53%	0.77%
Rutherfordton	0.21%	0.34%	0.42%	0.55%	0.81%
Union Mills	0.17%	0.31%	0.40%	0.48%	0.70%
Black Mountain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Caroleen	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Casar	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cliffside	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harris	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marion	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Spindale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

When examining property taxes in Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford County.

For example, the median tax bill in Rutherford County is $1,690, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Lake Lure has the highest median home price at $268,200.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$69,600

$168,900

$268,200

Median Rutherford County Market Value

$123,100

Median North Carolina Market Value

$197,136

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bostic	$35,880	$80,200	$120,400	$164,100	$236,260
Chimney Rock	$127,150	$157,300	$266,100	$530,325	$713,070
Ellenboro	$35,450	$74,500	$115,450	$150,750	$198,000
Forest City	$42,580	$81,600	$116,500	$154,000	$203,700
Henrietta	$36,100	$45,750	$69,600	$92,600	$97,600
Lake Lure	$70,650	$134,525	$268,200	$587,075	$978,050
Mill Spring	$49,080	$90,500	$123,700	$184,500	$442,760
Mooresboro	$27,540	$66,300	$111,300	$148,000	$188,760
Rutherfordton	$39,150	$87,375	$128,450	$180,100	$245,800
Union Mills	$44,550	$79,300	$121,800	$181,900	$285,710
Black Mountain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Caroleen	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Casar	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cliffside	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harris	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marion	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Spindale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

In Rutherford County, NC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the county's tax assessor and reflects the market value of the property. Once the assessed value is established, the local tax rate is applied to calculate the annual tax bill. The median home price in Rutherford County is $123,100, and the property tax rate is aligned with the national median rate of 1.02%. This results in a typical property tax bill that is comparable to the national median property tax bill of $2,400. However, within the county, there is a significant range in tax bills. For instance, in Chimney Rock, the highest median tax bill is $1,690, while in Henrietta, the lowest median tax bill is $333. This variation is influenced by differences in property values and local tax rates. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners, as property taxes can significantly impact overall housing costs and affordability.

Property Tax Bills Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$333

$1,012

$1,690

Median Rutherford County Tax Bill

$516

Median North Carolina Tax Bill

$1,615

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Rutherford County, North Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Bostic	$148	$316	$465	$655	$979
Chimney Rock	$696	$847	$1,690	$3,265	$4,967
Ellenboro	$155	$332	$468	$637	$864
Forest City	$215	$352	$522	$774	$1,217
Henrietta	$41	$142	$333	$404	$457
Lake Lure	$362	$610	$1,427	$3,816	$6,605
Mill Spring	$245	$298	$346	$811	$1,998
Mooresboro	$137	$274	$429	$604	$822
Rutherfordton	$157	$325	$508	$749	$1,328
Union Mills	$123	$299	$487	$722	$1,192
Black Mountain	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Caroleen	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Casar	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cliffside	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Harris	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Marion	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Spindale	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell