Kern County Property Taxes
Kern County, California
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
30% below state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$236/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
0.91%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$310,600
State avg ▼ $569,022
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$3,142
$262/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$2,235
$186/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#58
of 58 counties (1 = lowest)
Data Story
About Property Taxes in Kern County, California
Kern County carries the highest tax burden
Kern County's effective tax rate of 0.912% ranks among the nation's highest, significantly exceeding California's 0.714% average and the national median. The median property tax of $2,833 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, despite the county's lower median home value of $310,600.
Kern has California's highest effective tax rate
At 0.912%, Kern County leads all California counties in effective tax rate, creating one of the nation's most expensive property tax environments. Its median property tax of $2,833 reflects this aggressive taxation, making homeownership substantially costlier here than statewide.
Kern's taxes far exceed all nearby counties
Kern's 0.912% rate dramatically outpaces Fresno County (0.746%), Kings County (0.751%), Inyo County (0.707%), and Glenn County (0.647%). Only Imperial County (0.840%) comes close, making Kern and Imperial the state's most heavily taxed regions.
Budget $2,833 annually in property taxes
A median Kern County home valued at $310,600 carries an estimated annual property tax bill of $2,833—among the highest in California relative to home value. With a mortgage, expect $3,142; without, approximately $2,235.
Assessment appeals are critical in Kern County
Given Kern's exceptionally high tax rates, verifying your assessed value is essential and potentially lucrative. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor can provide substantial relief if your home is assessed above fair market value.
How Kern County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
Kern County
0.91%
Effective rate
California Avg
0.71%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in Kern County, California?
How much are property taxes in Kern County?
How does Kern County compare to the California average?
What is the median home value in Kern County, California?
Why is Kern County property tax rate higher than the California average?
How does Kern County rank for property taxes in California?
Counties with Similar Tax Rates
Nearby Counties
Other Counties in California
Data updated: March 2026
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.