McDowell County property tax
Homeowners in McDowell County, North Carolina typically pay about 0.53% of their home's value in property tax each year — a median bill of $911 on a median home value of $171,100.
Typical effective rate
0.53%
higher than 81% of U.S. counties
Median tax paid
$911
per year
Median home value
$171,100
In NC
#83
of 100 ranked counties
At a glance
- Effective rate 0.53% — 43% lower than the U.S. median of 0.94%, and 19% lower than the North Carolina median of 0.66%.
- With vs. without a mortgage — median tax $1,079 for mortgaged homes, $792 for homes owned outright.
- State ranking — 83rd highest effective rate of 100 ranked North Carolina counties; nationally it sits around the 19th percentile.
Estimate a bill for McDowell County
Apply this county's typical effective rate (0.53%) to a home value of your choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in McDowell County, NC?
The typical effective property-tax rate in McDowell County is 0.53% of a home's value per year, based on median taxes paid ($911) divided by the median home value ($171,100) in the Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates. This is a typical burden for comparison, not a statutory mill rate.
How much is property tax on a typical home in McDowell County?
The median owner-occupied home in McDowell County is valued at $171,100, and the median real estate tax paid is $911 per year. Homes with a mortgage have a median tax of $1,079, versus $792 for homes without one.
How does McDowell County compare to the rest of North Carolina?
McDowell County's effective rate is 19% lower than the North Carolina median, ranking 83rd of 100 ranked counties in the state.
Compare nearby North Carolina counties
Counties ranked closest to McDowell County by in-state effective rate. Open the comparison tool or see all North Carolina counties.
| In-state | County | Effective rate | Median tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | New Hanover County | 0.54% | $2,105 |
| 81 | Brunswick County | 0.54% | $1,890 |
| 82 | Polk County | 0.54% | $1,697 |
| 84 | Moore County | 0.53% | $1,849 |
| 85 | Dare County | 0.52% | $2,391 |
| 86 | Mitchell County | 0.52% | $1,141 |
Official data & resources for McDowell County
- McDowell County Census profile (data.census.gov) — housing, value and tax figures for this county.
- Table B25103 for McDowell County — median real estate taxes paid (the source for the tax figures above).
- Table B25077 for McDowell County — median home value.
- Federal forms & is property tax deductible? — IRS Pub 530, Schedule A and the SALT cap, plus your state tax agency.
Finding your exact bill
Your county or municipal assessor (sometimes called the appraisal district, property appraiser, or tax collector) sets the assessed value and the exact millage that produces your bill. Search for "[county name] [state] assessor" or "property tax" on an official .gov site.
Figures on this page are Census survey medians for the whole county (2020–2024 5-year), not an assessment of any individual property. Rates, exemptions and assessment practices vary by municipality and school district within a county.