Property Taxes in Hays, North Carolina
Median Hays, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 1.48%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Hays, North Carolina home value: $97,580
Median annual Hays, North Carolina tax bill: $1,547, $853 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Wilkes calculated?
Property taxes in Hays, 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 Hays's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Hays, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Hays Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Hays property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Hays's median effective tax rate of 1.48% — based on actual property records in Wilkes 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 Hays'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 Hays: rates range from 1.48% in 28635 to 1.48% in 28635, 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 Hays.
About Hays Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Hays, Wilkes, North Carolina
Hays’s median effective property tax rate of 1.48% is higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Wilkes County 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 Hays. Homeowners in the 28635 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.48%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.48%. This reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Wilkes County. Understanding where you live in Hays can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Hays homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the 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 Hays, Wilkes 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 Hays'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 Hays Tax Rate
1.48%
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 Wilkes County Tax Rate
1.54%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28635 | 1.07% | 1.48% | 1.48% | 1.58% | 2.53% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Hays, 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 Wilkes 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 Wilkes County, assessment notices are sent in March 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. For example, the median home price in Hays is $97,580, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. ZIP code 28635 has the highest median home price at $97,580.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$92,630
$157,918
$223,205
Median Hays Market Value
$97,580
Median Wilkes County Market Value
$108,980
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28635 | $43,452 | $65,350 | $97,580 | $148,150 | $219,298 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
How are property tax bills calculated in Hays?
Property tax bills in Hays are based on the assessed value of a home, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. A home’s market value is a key factor in the assessment, so higher-value homes generally face larger tax bills. For homeowners, this means the amount owed can vary widely depending on the property’s value and the tax rate applied.
What do Hays homeowners typically pay?
The median home price in Hays is $97,580, and property tax bills can range from $988 at the 25th percentile to $2,482 at the 75th percentile. At the 90th percentile, tax bills reach $3,850, showing how much taxes can rise for higher-valued homes. The median tax bill in zip code 28635 is $1,547, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Median Hays Tax Bill
$1,547
Median Wilkes County Tax Bill
$1,837
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Hays, Wilkes County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28635 | $612 | $988 | $1,547 | $2,482 | $3,850 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | April 23 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Wilkes Tax Assessor | |
| Website | parcelinfo.wilkescounty.net |