Property Taxes in Sunbury, North Carolina
Median Sunbury, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 1.04%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Sunbury, North Carolina home value: $115,112
Median annual Sunbury, North Carolina tax bill: $1,171, $1,229 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Gates calculated?
Property taxes in Sunbury, 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 Sunbury's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Sunbury, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Sunbury Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Sunbury property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property’s assessed value and the calculator applies Sunbury’s median effective tax rate of 1.04% — based on actual property records in Gates County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property’s estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home’s market value. The calculator applies Sunbury’s median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than using a single county rate.
Sunbury’s tax rate is higher than North Carolina’s 0.81% median, but the median property tax bill is $1,171, which is $1,229 lower than the national median bill of $2,400. Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Sunbury, with the highest and lowest median tax bill both at $1,171 in 27979.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Sunbury.
About Sunbury Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Sunbury, Gates, North Carolina
Sunbury’s median effective property tax rate of 1.04% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Gates 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 Sunbury. Homeowners in the 27979 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.04%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 1.04%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Gates County. Understanding which part of Sunbury you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Sunbury homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the June 18, 2025 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 Sunbury, Gates 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 Sunbury'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 Sunbury Tax Rate
1.04%
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 Gates County Tax Rate
1.04%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27979 | 0.65% | 0.91% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.30% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Sunbury, 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 Gates 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 Gates 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 Sunbury.
For example, the median home price in Sunbury is $115,112, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 27979 has the highest median home price at $115,112.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$112,758
$131,805
$150,852
Median Sunbury Market Value
$115,112
Median Gates County Market Value
$119,547
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27979 | $43,842 | $75,074 | $115,112 | $182,218 | $274,531 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Sunbury are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. For homeowners, that means the bill depends on both the value of the home and the tax rate set by local taxing authorities.
With a median home price of $115,112, property taxes in this area can be a meaningful part of housing costs. The typical tax bill reflects how local assessments and rates translate into what a homeowner owes each year. In Sunbury, the median tax bill is $1,171, and the same figure appears as both the highest and lowest median tax bill in ZIP code 27979.
Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Sunbury homeowners generally face lower annual property taxes. Even so, changes in assessed value or tax rates can still affect affordability and monthly budgeting for homeowners.
Median Sunbury Tax Bill
$1,171
Median Gates County Tax Bill
$1,220
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Sunbury, Gates County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27979 | $526 | $824 | $1,171 | $1,646 | $2,284 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 18 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Gates Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.bttaxpayerportal.com |