Catawba County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Catawba County, North Carolina
Median Catawba County effective property tax rate: 0.51%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Catawba County home value: $222,900
Median annual Catawba County tax bill: $1,362, $1,038 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Catawba County calculated?
Property taxes in Catawba 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.
Why are property taxes in Catawba County lower than the national median? The county’s effective property tax rate of 0.51% is well below the national median of 1.02%, helping keep annual tax bills more manageable for homeowners.
How does Catawba County compare with North Carolina? The county’s rate is also lower than the state median tax rate of 0.81%, making it one of the more favorable areas for property owners.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Catawba County or another part of the county, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Catawba County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.51%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,137
$1,055
How Does the Catawba County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Catawba County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Catawba County's median effective tax rate of 0.51% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Catawba County’s median tax rate is lower than the North Carolina median of 0.81%, and the county’s median tax bill of $1,362 is $1,038 lower than the state median.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Catawba County.
Property Tax Rates Across Catawba County, North Carolina
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Catawba County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Catawba County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Catawba County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Catawba County's median effective rate stands at 0.51%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Catawba County, the highest rate is found in Hickory at 0.85%, while Lincolnton has the lowest at 0.46%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Catawba County Tax Rate
0.51%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Catawba County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba | 0.46% | 0.49% | 0.50% | 0.51% | 0.90% |
| Claremont | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.50% | 0.51% | 0.82% |
| Connelly Springs | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| Conover | 0.46% | 0.48% | 0.52% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Denver | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% |
| Hickory | 0.48% | 0.52% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Lawndale | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| Lincolnton | 0.29% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.49% |
| Maiden | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.50% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| Newton | 0.46% | 0.50% | 0.52% | 0.85% | 0.85% |
| Sherrills Ford | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% |
| Terrell | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.49% |
| Vale | 0.40% | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| Hildebran | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Catawba County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Catawba 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 Catawba 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 Catawba 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 Catawba County.
For example, the median tax bill in Catawba County is $1,362, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Denver at $2,391 and Lawndale at $674.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Catawba County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$143,650
$318,875
$494,100
Median Catawba County Market Value
$222,900
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Catawba County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba | $26,500 | $148,325 | $222,100 | $358,875 | $642,630 |
| Claremont | $12,200 | $103,875 | $182,200 | $264,325 | $373,940 |
| Connelly Springs | $18,910 | $97,025 | $179,900 | $289,100 | $341,540 |
| Conover | $57,900 | $161,300 | $214,100 | $282,900 | $398,760 |
| Denver | $135,000 | $232,800 | $494,100 | $821,250 | $1,056,000 |
| Hickory | $105,200 | $160,000 | $223,200 | $328,500 | $470,580 |
| Lawndale | $14,070 | $29,100 | $143,650 | $244,725 | $285,510 |
| Lincolnton | $26,800 | $172,950 | $277,000 | $391,000 | $544,700 |
| Maiden | $39,160 | $156,300 | $206,600 | $291,800 | $411,720 |
| Newton | $65,740 | $148,200 | $204,000 | $285,900 | $408,760 |
| Sherrills Ford | $159,340 | $281,200 | $426,400 | $769,700 | $1,126,560 |
| Terrell | $280,600 | $294,300 | $419,600 | $935,500 | $1,303,280 |
| Vale | $16,160 | $128,050 | $200,000 | $307,750 | $429,690 |
| Hildebran | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Catawba County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Catawba County are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. That means the bill depends on both the county’s tax rate and the value assigned to the home. For a home with a median market value of $222,900, the resulting tax bill can vary widely depending on neighborhood, property characteristics, and any exemptions that may apply.
Homeowners in Catawba County see a broad range of tax bills. The 25th percentile tax bill is $895, while the 75th percentile is $2,107 and the 90th percentile reaches $3,335. That spread shows how much assessed value and local tax settings can affect what a homeowner owes each year. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400, many homeowners in the county may pay less or more depending on how their property is assessed.
Median Catawba County Tax Bill
$1,362
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Catawba County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba | $133 | $728 | $1,161 | $1,925 | $3,242 |
| Claremont | $60 | $432 | $907 | $1,360 | $2,145 |
| Connelly Springs | $73 | $214 | $824 | $1,028 | $1,536 |
| Conover | $290 | $860 | $1,230 | $1,897 | $2,612 |
| Denver | $526 | $1,067 | $2,391 | $4,028 | $5,162 |
| Hickory | $640 | $1,020 | $1,484 | $2,378 | $3,592 |
| Lawndale | $66 | $137 | $674 | $1,149 | $1,340 |
| Lincolnton | $100 | $703 | $1,265 | $1,751 | $2,366 |
| Maiden | $196 | $793 | $1,212 | $1,718 | $2,263 |
| Newton | $375 | $867 | $1,297 | $1,839 | $2,588 |
| Sherrills Ford | $709 | $1,344 | $2,048 | $3,762 | $5,515 |
| Terrell | $1,372 | $1,449 | $2,049 | $4,541 | $6,424 |
| Vale | $71 | $520 | $876 | $1,362 | $1,915 |
| Hildebran | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 4 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Catawba Tax Assessor | |
| Website | gis.catawbacountync.gov |