Harlan County Property Taxes

Harlan County, Kentucky

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

33.9% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$60/mo escrow

#118 of 120 counties in Kentucky

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.99%

vs. Kentucky Avg33.9% below
vs. National Avg73.2% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$73,100

State avg $150,167

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$881

$73/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$616

$51/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#118

of 120 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Harlan County, Kentucky

Harlan County taxes rank high nationally

Harlan County's effective tax rate of 0.988% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it among the highest-tax counties in the U.S. However, the median property tax of just $722 remains far below the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's very low property values.

Highest-tax county in Kentucky

Harlan County's 0.988% effective rate is the highest in the commonwealth, significantly exceeding Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. Though median taxes of $722 seem low, the rate is punitive relative to property values, making Harlan the most tax-burdened county by percentage.

Steepest rate in its region

Harlan County's 0.988% effective tax rate far surpasses every peer county, driven by the region's lowest median home value of $73,100. This combination creates the sharpest tax burden relative to property wealth among these eight counties.

What your Harlan County home costs

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $73,100 pays approximately $722 annually in property taxes at the steep 0.988% rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $881 when including escrow and insurance; without a mortgage, it drops to $616.

Appeals are critical in Harlan

Harlan County's unusually high effective tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important—even small overvaluations have outsized impact. Contact the Harlan County Property Valuation Administrator immediately if you suspect your assessment is inflated; an appeal could meaningfully reduce your burden.

How Harlan County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Harlan County$722
Kentucky State Average$1,093
National Average$1,924

Harlan County

0.99%

Effective rate

Kentucky Avg

0.73%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Harlan County, Kentucky?
The effective property tax rate in Harlan County, Kentucky is 0.99%. 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 Harlan County?
The median annual property tax payment in Harlan County is $722. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $881, while those without a mortgage pay $616.
How does Harlan County compare to the Kentucky average?
Harlan County's effective tax rate of 0.99% is higher than the Kentucky state average of 0.73%. The median annual property tax in Harlan County is $722, compared to the state average of $1,093.
What is the median home value in Harlan County, Kentucky?
The median home value in Harlan County, Kentucky is $73,100, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Harlan County property tax rate higher than the Kentucky average?
Harlan County's effective property tax rate of 0.99% is higher than the Kentucky average of 0.73%. This difference of 0.26% 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 Harlan County rank for property taxes in Kentucky?
Harlan County ranks #118 out of 120 counties in Kentucky by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.99% and median annual tax of $722, it falls in the upper 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.