Property Taxes in Winston Salem, North Carolina
Median Winston Salem, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 1.34%, higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Winston Salem, North Carolina home value: $139,900
Median annual Winston Salem, North Carolina tax bill: $1,759, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Forsyth calculated?
Property taxes in Winston Salem, 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 Winston Salem's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Winston Salem, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Winston Salem Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Winston Salem property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Winston Salem's median effective tax rate of 1.34% — based on actual property records in Forsyth 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 Winston Salem'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 Winston Salem: rates range from the lowest median tax bill of $896.00 in 27105 to the highest median tax bill of $2,987.00 in 27104, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
Winston Salem's median tax rate is higher than the North Carolina state median tax rate of 0.81% and the median tax bill of $1,759 is lower than the state median tax bill by $641. For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Winston Salem.
About Winston Salem Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Winston Salem, Forsyth, NC
Winston Salem’s median effective property tax rate of 1.34% is higher than the national median of 1.02% and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%. This rate reflects the Forsyth 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 Winston Salem. Homeowners in the 27104 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.34%, while those in 27040 pay 1.34%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Forsyth County. Understanding which part of Winston Salem you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Winston Salem 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 Winston Salem, Forsyth 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 Winston Salem'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 Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.78%
1.06%
1.34%
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 Winston Salem Tax Rate
1.34%
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 Forsyth County Tax Rate
1.34%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27040 | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27101 | 0.78% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27103 | 0.97% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27104 | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27105 | 0.80% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27106 | 0.77% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27107 | 0.82% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27127 | 0.77% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27284 | 1.26% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| 27045 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Winston Salem, 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 Forsyth 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 Forsyth County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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 Winston Salem.
For example, the median home price in Winston Salem is $139,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 27104 has the highest median home price at $223,600.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$76,500
$217,050
$357,600
Median Winston Salem Market Value
$139,900
Median Forsyth County Market Value
$158,100
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27040 | $144,550 | $157,275 | $203,350 | $224,325 | $283,650 |
| 27101 | $27,300 | $54,200 | $111,850 | $181,675 | $299,880 |
| 27103 | $93,730 | $131,300 | $163,900 | $216,000 | $279,270 |
| 27104 | $85,700 | $131,800 | $223,600 | $372,500 | $608,680 |
| 27105 | $24,800 | $42,300 | $76,500 | $118,850 | $161,600 |
| 27106 | $88,200 | $127,400 | $188,000 | $316,300 | $506,680 |
| 27107 | $24,300 | $42,500 | $96,050 | $160,500 | $204,970 |
| 27127 | $58,960 | $89,100 | $135,900 | $170,700 | $209,100 |
| 27284 | $156,920 | $172,400 | $185,300 | $204,900 | $248,200 |
| 27045 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Winston Salem 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 how much the home is worth and the tax rate set by local governments in Forsyth County. For homeowners, this can create wide differences in what they owe each year, even among homes in the same city.
With a median home price of $139,900, Winston Salem homeowners often see bills that vary significantly by neighborhood and property value. The 25th percentile tax bill is $985, while the 75th percentile is $2,591 and the 90th percentile reaches $4,223. The highest median tax bill is $2,987 in ZIP code 27104, compared with just $896 in ZIP code 27105. Because property taxes are tied to assessed value, changes in market conditions can directly affect a homeowner’s annual tax burden.
Property Tax Bills Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$896
$1,942
$2,987
Median Winston Salem Tax Bill
$1,759
Median Forsyth County Tax Bill
$1,791
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27040 | $1,935 | $2,106 | $2,692 | $2,994 | $3,798 |
| 27101 | $358 | $651 | $1,256 | $2,218 | $3,502 |
| 27103 | $1,089 | $1,676 | $2,101 | $2,790 | $3,608 |
| 27104 | $1,117 | $1,744 | $2,987 | $4,988 | $8,181 |
| 27105 | $307 | $524 | $896 | $1,483 | $2,090 |
| 27106 | $1,023 | $1,560 | $2,384 | $4,042 | $6,612 |
| 27107 | $312 | $533 | $1,141 | $1,989 | $2,603 |
| 27127 | $702 | $1,102 | $1,664 | $2,181 | $2,641 |
| 27284 | $1,947 | $2,264 | $2,465 | $2,743 | $3,306 |
| 27045 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Forsyth Tax Assessor | |
| Website | forsyth.cc |