Orange County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Orange County, North Carolina
Median Orange County effective property tax rate: 1.28%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Orange County home value: $297,800
Median annual Orange County tax bill: $3,938, $1,538 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Orange County calculated?
Property taxes in Orange County 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.
Why do property taxes vary in Orange County? They vary because assessed value, exemptions, and local tax rules all affect the final bill.
How does Orange County compare with North Carolina? Orange County’s effective property tax rate is higher than the state median tax rate of 0.81%, while the county’s median tax bill is $1,538 higher than the state median.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Orange County or another part of Orange County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Orange County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.28%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,812
$3,537
How Does the Orange County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Orange County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Orange County's median effective tax rate of 1.28% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the appraisal district assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Orange County's median effective tax rate is higher than the North Carolina median tax rate of 0.81% and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The county's median property tax bill is $3,938, which is $1,538 higher than the North Carolina median bill and above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Orange County.
Property Tax Rates Across Orange County, North Carolina
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Orange County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Orange County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare Orange County's effective property tax rate to other counties in North Carolina or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Orange County's median effective rate stands at 1.28%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Orange County, the highest rate is found in Carrboro at 1.75%, while Hurdle Mills has the lowest at 0.99%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
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 Orange County Tax Rate
1.28%
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 North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Orange County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | 1.72% | 1.73% | 1.75% | 1.80% | 1.88% |
| Cedar Grove | 0.47% | 0.95% | 1.01% | 1.05% | 1.10% |
| Chapel Hill | 1.05% | 1.23% | 1.71% | 1.74% | 1.77% |
| Durham | 0.98% | 1.00% | 1.03% | 1.08% | 1.22% |
| Efland | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.02% | 1.06% | 1.12% |
| Hillsborough | 0.97% | 1.01% | 1.05% | 1.54% | 1.58% |
| Hurdle Mills | 0.45% | 0.83% | 0.99% | 1.02% | 1.06% |
| Mebane | 0.97% | 1.03% | 1.09% | 1.23% | 1.26% |
| Rougemont | 0.60% | 0.96% | 0.99% | 1.01% | 1.05% |
| Timberlake | 0.57% | 0.98% | 1.05% | 1.07% | 1.10% |
| Pittsboro | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Orange County, 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 Orange County property 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 Orange County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
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 Orange County.
For example, the median tax bill in Orange County is $3,938, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Chapel Hill has the highest median home price at $374,698.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$122,200
$274,450
$426,700
Median Orange County Market Value
$297,800
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Orange County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | $113,100 | $176,900 | $285,000 | $378,600 | $464,640 |
| Cedar Grove | $71,260 | $115,225 | $200,182 | $318,158 | $478,680 |
| Chapel Hill | $153,000 | $244,200 | $374,698 | $551,500 | $767,200 |
| Durham | $69,170 | $159,600 | $293,500 | $509,900 | $741,270 |
| Efland | $75,020 | $121,425 | $199,400 | $316,791 | $451,510 |
| Hillsborough | $92,500 | $164,800 | $266,100 | $390,100 | $538,700 |
| Hurdle Mills | $107,565 | $178,425 | $262,500 | $379,764 | $517,432 |
| Mebane | $87,060 | $153,100 | $211,500 | $272,900 | $345,600 |
| Rougemont | $99,220 | $167,366 | $237,950 | $359,194 | $510,510 |
| Timberlake | $88,060 | $103,300 | $122,200 | $220,100 | $372,100 |
| Pittsboro | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Orange County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Orange County, North Carolina are based on a home’s assessed value, not its market listing price. Local taxing authorities apply their tax rates to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, so two homes with similar market prices can still owe different amounts if their assessments or tax rates differ. Factors such as location, neighborhood, and property characteristics can influence the assessed value, which helps explain why tax bills vary across the county.
With a median home price of $297,800, homeowners in Orange County can see a wide range in property tax bills. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,312, while the 75th percentile is $6,533 and the 90th percentile reaches $9,630. That spread shows how much property taxes can differ from one homeowner to another. For many households, a higher assessed value can mean a significantly larger annual tax bill, making it an important part of the cost of owning a home in Orange County.
Median Orange County Tax Bill
$3,938
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Orange County, North Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | $2,121 | $3,130 | $4,941 | $6,518 | $7,982 |
| Cedar Grove | $537 | $1,086 | $1,736 | $2,653 | $3,784 |
| Chapel Hill | $2,236 | $3,504 | $5,779 | $8,655 | $11,965 |
| Durham | $738 | $1,677 | $3,044 | $5,166 | $7,500 |
| Efland | $731 | $1,206 | $1,928 | $3,018 | $4,238 |
| Hillsborough | $1,034 | $1,820 | $3,047 | $4,457 | $6,174 |
| Hurdle Mills | $754 | $1,467 | $2,234 | $3,366 | $4,436 |
| Mebane | $862 | $1,538 | $2,388 | $3,134 | $3,918 |
| Rougemont | $856 | $1,463 | $2,217 | $3,088 | $4,403 |
| Timberlake | $930 | $1,070 | $1,250 | $1,922 | $2,839 |
| Pittsboro | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Orange Tax Assessor | |
| Website | property.spatialest.com |