Preston County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Preston County is 0.64%, which is significantly lower than both the national median of 0.99% and the West Virginia state median of 0.72%. With a median home value of $68,500 in Preston County, the typical annual property tax bill is $473, far below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Preston County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions such as those for primary residences and agricultural properties. Understanding Preston County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Kingwood or another part of Preston County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Preston County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.72%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,440
Ownwell’s Preston County Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Preston County with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Preston County to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Preston County, West Virginia
Property taxes in Preston County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Preston County is 0.64%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Preston County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Preston County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year, and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Preston County's effective property tax rate with other regions. For comparison, the city of Rowlesburg has one of the higher property tax rates in the area at 0.64%, while the city of Arthurdale boasts one of the lowest at 0.64%. Analyzing how Preston County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Preston County Tax Rate
0.64%
Average West Virginia Tax Rate
0.72%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Preston County, West Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albright | 0.40% | 0.55% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Arthurdale | 0.44% | 0.52% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% |
| Aurora | 0.38% | 0.48% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Bretz | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruceton Mills | 0.54% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Eglon | 0.32% | 0.45% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Independence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kingwood | 0.45% | 0.61% | 0.64% | 0.86% | 1.27% |
| Masontown | 0.41% | 0.53% | 0.64% | 0.79% | 1.27% |
| Moatsville | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.65% |
| Morgantown | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% |
| Newburg | 0.33% | 0.49% | 0.64% | 0.79% | 1.27% |
| Parsons | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reedsville | 0.45% | 0.53% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Rowlesburg | 0.31% | 0.50% | 0.64% | 0.79% | 1.56% |
| Terra Alta | 0.41% | 0.56% | 0.64% | 0.83% | 1.27% |
| Thornton | 0.38% | 0.53% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
| Tunnelton | 0.31% | 0.46% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 1.27% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Preston County, West Virginia
In Preston County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Preston County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Preston County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. For instance, Morgantown has the highest median tax bill at $1,043, while Bruceton Mills has the lowest at $176. Being aware of these valuation processes in Preston County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Preston County, West Virginia
Source: Ownwell
$22,100
$93,000
$163,900
Average Preston County Assessed Value
$68,500
Average West Virginia Assessed Value
$80,900
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Preston County, West Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albright | $12,620 | $40,900 | $86,000 | $131,000 | $188,720 |
| Arthurdale | $68,450 | $89,850 | $106,850 | $132,550 | $183,650 |
| Aurora | $25,780 | $58,400 | $86,100 | $125,500 | $171,120 |
| Bretz | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruceton Mills | $6,900 | $12,100 | $22,100 | $109,200 | $198,920 |
| Eglon | $30,050 | $62,575 | $95,050 | $131,100 | $171,750 |
| Independence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kingwood | $15,610 | $54,100 | $93,100 | $135,775 | $195,480 |
| Masontown | $13,420 | $40,400 | $84,900 | $125,300 | $182,160 |
| Moatsville | $18,200 | $49,200 | $83,400 | $124,000 | $157,480 |
| Morgantown | $163,900 | $163,900 | $163,900 | $163,900 | $163,900 |
| Newburg | $6,830 | $22,575 | $52,500 | $97,050 | $143,970 |
| Parsons | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reedsville | $8,330 | $62,950 | $112,850 | $152,575 | $201,410 |
| Rowlesburg | $6,670 | $26,000 | $49,350 | $79,175 | $126,180 |
| Terra Alta | $15,420 | $47,850 | $91,900 | $146,200 | $212,880 |
| Thornton | $12,340 | $47,000 | $85,650 | $145,075 | $199,390 |
| Tunnelton | $2,360 | $25,700 | $61,000 | $101,600 | $139,440 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Preston County, West Virginia
In Preston County, WV, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of the property, which is determined by local tax assessors. The assessed value is a percentage of the property's market value, and this figure is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the annual tax bill. Several factors are considered in this process, including the property's location, size, and condition. For homeowners in Preston County, the impact of property taxes varies significantly. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is approximately $169, while the 75th percentile reaches around $847, with the 90th percentile going up to $1291. This range highlights the disparity in tax burdens within the county. Comparatively, the highest median tax bill in the region is found in Morgantown at $1043, while Bruceton Mills has the lowest at $176. These variations can affect homeowners' financial planning and the overall affordability of homeownership in the area.
Average Preston County Tax Bill
$473
Average West Virginia Tax Bill
$607
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Preston County, West Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albright | $144 | $299 | $534 | $845 | $1,263 |
| Arthurdale | $329 | $413 | $647 | $717 | $1,095 |
| Aurora | $184 | $336 | $535 | $785 | $1,070 |
| Bretz | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruceton Mills | $55 | $94 | $176 | $727 | $1,323 |
| Eglon | $163 | $325 | $534 | $765 | $1,085 |
| Independence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kingwood | $176 | $396 | $691 | $1,054 | $1,524 |
| Masontown | $140 | $305 | $551 | $839 | $1,234 |
| Moatsville | $204 | $281 | $519 | $707 | $961 |
| Morgantown | $1,043 | $1,043 | $1,043 | $1,043 | $1,043 |
| Newburg | $93 | $192 | $362 | $644 | $933 |
| Parsons | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Reedsville | $187 | $439 | $726 | $1,008 | $1,356 |
| Rowlesburg | $79 | $178 | $346 | $600 | $896 |
| Terra Alta | $157 | $336 | $612 | $972 | $1,438 |
| Thornton | $150 | $309 | $538 | $962 | $1,256 |
| Tunnelton | $95 | $195 | $389 | $641 | $946 |
Source: Ownwell