Property Taxes in Waco, North Carolina
Median Waco, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 1.05%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Waco, North Carolina home value: $58,768
Median annual Waco, North Carolina tax bill: $524, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cleveland calculated?
Property taxes in Waco, 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 Waco's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Waco, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Waco Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Waco property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Waco's median effective tax rate of 1.05% — based on actual property records in Cleveland 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 Waco'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 Waco: rates range from 1.05% in 28169 to 1.05% in 28169, 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 Waco.
About Waco Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Waco, Cleveland, North Carolina
Waco’s median effective property tax rate of 1.05% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cleveland 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 Waco. Homeowners in the 28169 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.05%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.05%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cleveland County. Understanding which part of Waco you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Waco 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 Waco, Cleveland 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 Waco's effective property tax rate to other cities in North Carolina and the median property tax rates in North Carolina 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 Waco Tax Rate
1.05%
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 Cleveland County Tax Rate
0.90%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28169 | 0.70% | 0.91% | 1.05% | 1.09% | 1.16% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Waco, 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the spring.
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. For example, the median home price in Waco is $58,768, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 28169 has the highest median home price at $58,768.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$55,882
$100,459
$145,035
Median Waco Market Value
$58,768
Median Cleveland County Market Value
$101,056
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28169 | $10,119 | $29,101 | $58,768 | $95,852 | $156,106 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Waco are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rates set by taxing authorities in Cleveland County, North Carolina. When a property is valued, that assessment becomes the starting point for the bill, which is then calculated by applying the relevant tax rate to the assessed value. For homeowners, this means the amount owed can change when home values or local rates change.
With a median home price of $58,768, Waco’s property taxes reflect a relatively modest housing market, but the bill still depends on how each home is assessed. The 25th percentile tax bill is $327, while the 75th percentile is $874 and the 90th percentile is $1,297. The median tax bill is $524 in ZIP code 28169.
For homeowners, property taxes are a recurring cost that can affect monthly budgeting and long-term affordability. Since tax bills are tied to assessed value, even small changes in valuation can influence what a homeowner pays each year.
Median Waco Tax Bill
$524
Median Cleveland County Tax Bill
$929
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Waco, Cleveland County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28169 | $100 | $327 | $524 | $874 | $1,297 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 31 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.clevelandcountytaxes.com |