Property Taxes in New Bern, North Carolina
Median New Bern, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.74%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median New Bern, North Carolina home value: $214,480
Median annual New Bern, North Carolina tax bill: $1,371, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Craven calculated?
Property taxes in New Bern, 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 New Bern's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in New Bern, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the New Bern Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this New Bern property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies New Bern's median effective tax rate of 0.74% — based on actual property records in Craven 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 New Bern'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 New Bern: rates range from $1,103 in 28560 to $1,597 in 28562, 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 New Bern.
About New Bern Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in New Bern, Craven, NC
New Bern’s median effective property tax rate of 0.74% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Craven 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 New Bern. Homeowners in the 28562 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.84%, while those in 28560 pay 0.52%. This spread — 0.32 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Craven County. Understanding which part of New Bern you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
New Bern 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 New Bern, Craven 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 New Bern'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 New Bern Tax Rate
0.74%
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 Craven County Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28560 | 0.48% | 0.50% | 0.52% | 0.86% | 0.91% |
| 28562 | 0.48% | 0.51% | 0.84% | 0.86% | 0.88% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in New Bern, 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 Craven 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 Craven County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 New Bern is $214,480, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 28562 has the highest median home price at $232,210.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$105,180
$252,040
$398,900
Median New Bern Market Value
$214,480
Median Craven County Market Value
$193,035
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28560 | $50,188 | $112,682 | $191,875 | $281,132 | $381,584 |
| 28562 | $101,060 | $156,240 | $232,210 | $322,120 | $445,910 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in New Bern are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Craven County and other taxing authorities. When a property is reassessed, its market value is used to determine the taxable value, which is then multiplied by the applicable rate to calculate the annual bill. Homes with higher assessed values generally face higher taxes, while lower-valued properties usually owe less.
For many homeowners, the size of the tax bill can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability. In New Bern, the median home price is $214,480, and tax bills vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $876, while the 75th percentile is $2,027. At the high end, the 90th percentile reaches $2,967, showing how location, home value, and assessment differences can affect what homeowners pay each year.
Median New Bern Tax Bill
$1,371
Median Craven County Tax Bill
$1,338
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28560 | $343 | $721 | $1,103 | $1,602 | $2,358 |
| 28562 | $579 | $1,050 | $1,597 | $2,352 | $3,357 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 10 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Craven Tax Assessor | |
| Website | gis.cravencountync.gov |