Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Morehead City, North Carolina
Median Morehead City, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.01%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Morehead City, North Carolina home value: $223,574
Median annual Morehead City, North Carolina tax bill: $15, $2,385 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Carteret calculated?
Property taxes in Morehead City, 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 Morehead City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Morehead City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
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Median Effective Tax Rate
0.01%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
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How Does the Morehead City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Morehead City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Morehead City's median effective tax rate of 0.01% — based on actual property records in Carteret 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 Morehead City'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 Morehead City: rates range from 0.01% to 0.01%, 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 Morehead City.
About Morehead City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Morehead City, Carteret, NC
Morehead City’s median effective property tax rate of 0.01% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Carteret 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 Morehead City. Homeowners in different parts of the city may pay different amounts because school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Carteret County. Understanding which part of Morehead City you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Morehead City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 4, 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 Morehead City, Carteret 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 Morehead City’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 Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
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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 Morehead City Tax Rate
0.01%
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 Carteret County Tax Rate
0.01%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28557 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Morehead City, 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 Carteret 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 Carteret 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. 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 Morehead City.
For example, the median home price in Morehead City is $223,574, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. The 90th percentile tax bill is $724, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
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Median Morehead City Market Value
$223,574
Median Carteret County Market Value
$235,343
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28557 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
How are property tax bills calculated in Morehead City?
Property tax bills in Morehead City are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Carteret County and other taxing authorities. When a property is reassessed, its market value is used to determine the assessed value, and that figure is multiplied by the applicable tax rate to calculate the bill. A higher assessed value generally means a higher tax bill, while a lower assessed value can reduce what a homeowner owes.
What factors affect the amount homeowners pay? Home value, local tax rates, and any exemptions or special assessments all play a role. For a home with a median value of $223,574, the tax bill can vary widely depending on how the property is classified and taxed. In Morehead City, the 25th percentile tax bill is $10, the 75th percentile is $31, and the 90th percentile is $724. These differences show how property taxes can affect homeowners unevenly, even within the same city.
Property Tax Bills Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
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Median Morehead City Tax Bill
$15
Median Carteret County Tax Bill
$15
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28557 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 11 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Carteret Tax Assessor | |
| Website | carteretcountytax.com |