Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Decatur, Alabama
Median Decatur, Alabama effective property tax rate: 0.29%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47%.
Median Decatur, Alabama home value: $384,550
Median annual Decatur, Alabama tax bill: $1,161, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lawrence calculated?
Property taxes in Decatur, Alabama 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 Decatur's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Decatur, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.29%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,115
$1,035
How Does the Decatur Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Decatur property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Decatur's median effective tax rate of 0.29% — based on actual property records in Lawrence County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Decatur's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Decatur: rates range from 0.29% in 35603 to 0.29% in 35603, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Decatur.
About Decatur Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Decatur, Lawrence, Alabama
Decatur’s median effective property tax rate of 0.29% is lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Lawrence County levy and local taxing districts that shape what homeowners pay across the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Decatur. Homeowners in the 35603 ZIP code carry the city’s median effective rate of 0.29%, while the same ZIP also reflects the city’s median tax bill of $1,161. That bill is well below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and $1,239 lower than the state tax bill difference provided here.
Decatur homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the May 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because 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 Decatur's effective property tax rate to other cities in Alabama and the median property tax rates in Alabama and the U.S.
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 Decatur Tax Rate
0.29%
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 Lawrence County Tax Rate
0.29%
Median Effective Alabama Tax Rate
0.47%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35603 | 0.23% | 0.28% | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.59% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
When examining property taxes in Decatur, Alabama, 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
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 Decatur.
For example, the median home price in Decatur is $384,550, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 35603 has the highest median home price at $384,550.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
Source: Ownwell
$80,400
$232,475
$384,550
Median Decatur Market Value
$384,550
Median Lawrence County Market Value
$149,500
Median Alabama Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35603 | $113,850 | $272,325 | $384,550 | $469,425 | $560,390 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
How are property tax bills calculated in Decatur?
Property tax bills in Decatur are based on the assessed value of a home, which is tied to its market value and then taxed at the local rate set for Lawrence County and the city. The bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate, so homeowners with higher-valued properties generally pay more. For example, with a median home price of $384,550, the property tax bill can vary widely depending on the home’s assessed value and any local exemptions or adjustments.
What factors affect a homeowner’s bill?
Location, home value, and any eligible exemptions all play a role in the final amount. In Decatur, the median property tax bill is $1,161, while bills can range from $835 at the 25th percentile to $1,697 at the 90th percentile. That means two similar homes may still have different bills if their assessed values or tax treatments differ. For homeowners, this can affect monthly escrow payments and overall housing costs.
Median Decatur Tax Bill
$1,161
Median Lawrence County Tax Bill
$491
Median Alabama Tax Bill
$813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Decatur, Lawrence County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35603 | $425 | $835 | $1,161 | $1,378 | $1,697 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lawrence Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.lawrencecountyrevenue.com |