Bell County Property Taxes

Bell County, Kentucky

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

43.5% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$51/mo escrow

#80 of 120 counties in Kentucky

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.74%

vs. Kentucky Avg43.5% below
vs. National Avg77.1% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$83,000

State avg $150,167

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$1,048

$87/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$552

$46/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#80

of 120 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Bell County, Kentucky

Bell County has lowest absolute taxes

Bell County's 0.743% effective tax rate falls just below the national median of 0.85%, placing it in the lower-middle range nationally. The median annual property tax of just $617—the lowest among our profiled counties—represents just 23% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting depressed regional home values.

Moderate rate, lowest tax bills

Bell County's 0.743% effective rate slightly exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, but the median property tax of $617 is 44% below the state median of $1,093. This reflects southeastern mountain home values that remain among Kentucky's lowest.

Affordable taxes in coal region

Bell County's 0.743% rate sits amid other eastern Kentucky mining-region counties facing similar economic realities and depressed property values. Harlan and Pike counties nearby experience comparable or even higher rates with similar low tax bills.

What $83,000 home costs annually

A median Bell County home valued at just $83,000 generates approximately $617 in annual property taxes—the lowest tax burden among our eight counties. Total annual housing costs including mortgage reach roughly $1,048.

Low values don't eliminate appeal options

Despite Bell County's depressed property values, homeowners should still verify assessment accuracy, as overvaluation compounds even on modest-priced homes. Appeals are particularly worthwhile if recent sales suggest lower market values.

How Bell County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Bell County$617
Kentucky State Average$1,093
National Average$1,924

Bell County

0.74%

Effective rate

Kentucky Avg

0.73%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Bell County, Kentucky?
The effective property tax rate in Bell County, Kentucky is 0.74%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Bell County?
The median annual property tax payment in Bell County is $617. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,048, while those without a mortgage pay $552.
How does Bell County compare to the Kentucky average?
Bell County's effective tax rate of 0.74% is higher than the Kentucky state average of 0.73%. The median annual property tax in Bell County is $617, compared to the state average of $1,093.
What is the median home value in Bell County, Kentucky?
The median home value in Bell County, Kentucky is $83,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Bell County property tax rate higher than the Kentucky average?
Bell County's effective property tax rate of 0.74% is higher than the Kentucky average of 0.73%. This difference of 0.02% can be attributed to local funding needs for schools, infrastructure, and municipal services. Higher rates often correlate with more urbanized areas or counties with greater public service demands.
How does Bell County rank for property taxes in Kentucky?
Bell County ranks #80 out of 120 counties in Kentucky by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.74% and median annual tax of $617, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in Kentucky

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.