Essex County, Virginia Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Essex County, Virginia
Median Essex County effective property tax rate: 0.73%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Essex County home value: $160,657
Median annual Essex County tax bill: $1,174, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Essex County calculated?
Property taxes in Essex 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.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Essex County or another part of Essex County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Essex County, Virginia Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.73%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,173
$1,088
How Does the Essex County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Essex County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Essex County's median effective tax rate of 0.73% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessment office 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.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts or improvement districts that apply to your property. Essex County’s median tax rate is lower than the Virginia median tax rate of 0.90% and far below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The county’s median property tax bill of $1,174 is also lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and $1,226 lower than the state median bill.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Essex County.
Property Tax Rates Across Essex County, Virginia
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Essex County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Essex 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 Essex County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Virginia or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Essex County's median effective rate stands at 0.73%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Essex County, the highest rate is found in Caret at 0.73%, while Caret has the lowest at 0.73%.
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 Essex County Tax Rate
0.73%
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 Virginia Tax Rate
0.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Essex County, Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caret | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Center Cross | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Champlain | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Dunnsville | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Hustle | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Laneview | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Loretto | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Millers Tavern | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Saint Stephens Church | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Tappahannock | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% | 0.73% |
| Bowling Green | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruington | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| St Stephens Church | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Essex County, Virginia
When examining property taxes in Essex 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 Essex County Virginia assessment 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 Essex County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
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 Essex County.
For example, the median tax bill in Essex County is $1,174, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Loretto has the highest median home price at $189,600.
Median Essex County Market Value
$160,657
Median Virginia Market Value
$323,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Essex County, Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caret | $35,679 | $85,200 | $130,200 | $192,941 | $241,442 |
| Center Cross | $37,875 | $116,671 | $170,150 | $250,380 | $407,525 |
| Champlain | $37,560 | $72,685 | $129,630 | $210,898 | $416,045 |
| Dunnsville | $33,203 | $103,360 | $158,740 | $231,104 | $417,830 |
| Hustle | $32,718 | $65,433 | $120,826 | $164,683 | $233,078 |
| Laneview | $42,540 | $94,676 | $175,660 | $315,895 | $511,342 |
| Loretto | $80,100 | $122,100 | $189,600 | $296,910 | $497,741 |
| Millers Tavern | $85,534 | $117,950 | $149,732 | $182,620 | $220,742 |
| Saint Stephens Church | $54,170 | $89,008 | $129,276 | $186,090 | $236,678 |
| Tappahannock | $70,938 | $117,650 | $172,600 | $244,032 | $380,414 |
| Bowling Green | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruington | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| St Stephens Church | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Essex County, Virginia
Property tax bills in Essex County, Virginia are based on the assessed market value of a home and the local tax rate set by the county. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill can increase even if the homeowner’s income does not. For a home with a median price of $160,657, the bill is calculated by applying the county’s rate to that assessed value, which helps determine what each homeowner owes.
Several factors influence the final amount, including location, property characteristics, and how the home compares with similar properties in the area. In Essex County, tax bills vary widely: the 25th percentile is $780, the 75th percentile is $1,705, and the 90th percentile reaches $2,796. That range shows how much assessments can differ from one home to another.
For homeowners, a higher assessed value can mean a larger annual bill and a greater share of housing costs.
Median Essex County Tax Bill
$1,174
Median Virginia Tax Bill
$2,852
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Essex County, Virginia
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caret | $278 | $622 | $950 | $1,404 | $1,711 |
| Center Cross | $334 | $882 | $1,248 | $1,840 | $2,980 |
| Champlain | $274 | $531 | $931 | $1,540 | $3,022 |
| Dunnsville | $240 | $755 | $1,156 | $1,686 | $3,050 |
| Hustle | $239 | $483 | $884 | $1,203 | $1,703 |
| Laneview | $311 | $691 | $1,243 | $2,306 | $3,733 |
| Loretto | $554 | $887 | $1,332 | $2,242 | $3,644 |
| Millers Tavern | $684 | $869 | $1,102 | $1,344 | $1,612 |
| Saint Stephens Church | $395 | $650 | $944 | $1,358 | $1,728 |
| Tappahannock | $541 | $867 | $1,266 | $1,784 | $2,785 |
| Bowling Green | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Bruington | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| St Stephens Church | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | July 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Essex Tax Assessor | |
| Website | gis.vgsi.com |