Property Taxes in Wilmington, North Carolina
Median Wilmington, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.57%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Wilmington, North Carolina home value: $255,400
Median annual Wilmington, North Carolina tax bill: $1,643, $757 lower and lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in New Hanover calculated?
Property taxes in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Wilmington, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Wilmington Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Wilmington property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Wilmington's median effective tax rate of 0.57% — based on actual property records in New Hanover 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 Wilmington'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 Wilmington: median tax bills range from $1,364 in 28405 to $2,117 in 28409, 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 Wilmington.
About Wilmington Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina
Wilmington’s median effective property tax rate of 0.57% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the New Hanover 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 Wilmington. Homeowners in the 28401 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.87%, while those in 28411 pay 0.54%. This spread — 0.33 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across New Hanover County. Understanding which part of Wilmington you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Wilmington 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 Wilmington, New Hanover 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 Wilmington'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 Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.54%
0.71%
0.87%
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 Wilmington Tax Rate
0.57%
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 Hanover County Tax Rate
0.57%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28401 | 0.54% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 28403 | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 28405 | 0.54% | 0.55% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 28409 | 0.53% | 0.54% | 0.65% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
| 28411 | 0.52% | 0.53% | 0.54% | 0.55% | 0.56% |
| 28412 | 0.52% | 0.54% | 0.56% | 0.87% | 0.87% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Wilmington, 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 New Hanover 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 New Hanover County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
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 context, Wilmington’s median home price is $255,400, and the median tax bill is $1,643, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills vary across the county, with the highest median home price in 28409 at $312,350.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$176,900
$560,525
$944,150
Median Wilmington Market Value
$255,400
Median New Hanover County Market Value
$268,900
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28401 | $98,000 | $130,400 | $176,900 | $249,200 | $339,150 |
| 28403 | $121,200 | $162,000 | $237,000 | $357,825 | $540,640 |
| 28405 | $135,300 | $179,600 | $229,600 | $346,600 | $692,800 |
| 28409 | $184,400 | $239,400 | $312,350 | $416,100 | $597,220 |
| 28411 | $190,100 | $219,700 | $297,700 | $429,900 | $622,860 |
| 28412 | $144,800 | $178,400 | $248,200 | $335,700 | $425,600 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Wilmington are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for New Hanover County. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase too, which may lead to a higher bill. Homeowners in Wilmington should also expect differences by neighborhood and ZIP code, since tax bills can vary across the city.
The median home price in Wilmington is $255,400, and the median tax bill is $2,117 in ZIP code 28409 and $1,364 in ZIP code 28405. For many homeowners, bills fall between $1,177 at the 25th percentile and $2,488 at the 75th percentile, while the 90th percentile reaches $3,738. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400, Wilmington homeowners may see bills that are lower or higher depending on the assessed value of their property and where they live.
Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$1,118
$3,064
$5,010
Median Wilmington Tax Bill
$1,643
Median New Hanover County Tax Bill
$1,711
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28401 | $696 | $990 | $1,397 | $1,911 | $2,600 |
| 28403 | $931 | $1,343 | $1,999 | $2,988 | $4,534 |
| 28405 | $855 | $1,097 | $1,364 | $2,584 | $5,607 |
| 28409 | $1,095 | $1,504 | $2,117 | $3,008 | $4,333 |
| 28411 | $1,000 | $1,164 | $1,545 | $2,204 | $3,140 |
| 28412 | $814 | $1,120 | $1,507 | $2,241 | $3,080 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 14 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| New Hanover Tax Assessor | |
| Website | etax.nhcgov.com |