Property Taxes in Oak Island, North Carolina
Median Oak Island, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.42%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Oak Island, North Carolina home value: $515,400
Median annual Oak Island, North Carolina tax bill: $2,228, $172 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Brunswick calculated?
Property taxes in Oak Island, North Carolina 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 Oak Island's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Oak Island, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Oak Island Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Oak Island property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Oak Island's median effective tax rate of 0.42% — based on actual property records in Brunswick 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 Oak Island'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 Oak Island: rates range from 0.42% in 28465 to 0.42% in 28465, 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 Oak Island.
About Oak Island Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Oak Island, Brunswick, North Carolina
Oak Island’s median effective property tax rate of 0.42% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Brunswick County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Oak Island. Homeowners in the 28465 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.42%, while those in the same ZIP pay 0.42%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Brunswick County. Understanding which part of Oak Island you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Oak Island homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before May 4, 2026.
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 Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
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 Oak Island's effective property tax rate to other cities in North Carolina and the median property tax rates in North Carolina and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.40%
0.72%
1.03%
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 Oak Island Tax Rate
0.42%
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 Brunswick County Tax Rate
0.47%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28465 | 0.41% | 0.42% | 0.42% | 0.44% | 0.46% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Oak Island, North Carolina, 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 Brunswick County tax office 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 Brunswick County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the season.
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. The median home price in Oak Island is $515,400, and the median tax bill is $2,228, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400. For example, 28465 has the highest median home price at $515,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$112,320
$555,225
$998,130
Median Oak Island Market Value
$515,400
Median Brunswick County Market Value
$334,580
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28465 | $291,126 | $390,300 | $515,400 | $687,550 | $945,658 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Oak Island are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Brunswick County and other taxing authorities. When a property’s market value changes, the assessed value can change too, which affects the final tax bill. Homeowners in Oak Island should expect their bill to reflect both the value of the home and the rate applied to that value.
The median home price in Oak Island is $515,400, and the median property tax bill is $2,228, which is slightly below the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills can vary widely: the 25th percentile is $1,664, while the 75th percentile is $2,984 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,094.
For homeowners, this means property taxes can have a meaningful impact on annual housing costs, especially as home values rise. Even within the same city, similar homes may be taxed differently depending on their assessed value and location.
Property Tax Bills Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$564
$5,431
$10,297
Median Oak Island Tax Bill
$2,228
Median Brunswick County Tax Bill
$1,707
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Oak Island, Brunswick County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28465 | $1,212 | $1,664 | $2,228 | $2,984 | $4,094 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 20 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Brunswick Tax Assessor | |
| Website | tax.brunsco.net |