Shelby County Property Taxes

Shelby County, Kentucky

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

105.7% above state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$187/mo escrow

#96 of 120 counties in Kentucky

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.81%

vs. Kentucky Avg105.7% above
vs. National Avg16.4% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$277,500

State avg $150,167

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$2,424

$202/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$1,827

$152/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#96

of 120 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Shelby County, Kentucky

Shelby County taxes near national average

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 0.810% exceeds the national median of 0.876% slightly, placing it in the moderate-to-high tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,248 falls below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values despite higher rate pressure. Shelby County homeowners shoulder a slightly heavier rate burden than most Americans.

Kentucky's highest rate among these eight

At 0.810%, Shelby County has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties profiled here and exceeds Kentucky's state average of 0.719%. Its median tax of $2,248 also ranks second-highest, making it one of Kentucky's more tax-intensive counties.

Shelby leads the region in rates

Shelby County's 0.810% rate significantly outpaces Spencer County (0.712%), Scott County (0.681%), and Trimble County (0.680%). Only among this regional peer group does Shelby stand apart for higher tax pressure on property owners.

What Shelby County homeowners pay

With a median home value of $277,500, Shelby County residents pay roughly $2,248 annually in property taxes—the second-highest figure in this study. Mortgage holders pay $2,424, while those owning free-and-clear pay $1,827.

Contest assessments and save

High-rate counties like Shelby present particular incentive for homeowners to verify their assessments and pursue appeals if values seem inflated. Shelby County residents who challenge overassessments during revaluation periods can recover hundreds in annual tax relief.

How Shelby County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Shelby County$2,248
Kentucky State Average$1,093
National Average$1,924

Shelby County

0.81%

Effective rate

Kentucky Avg

0.73%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Shelby County, Kentucky?
The effective property tax rate in Shelby County, Kentucky is 0.81%. 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 Shelby County?
The median annual property tax payment in Shelby County is $2,248. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $2,424, while those without a mortgage pay $1,827.
How does Shelby County compare to the Kentucky average?
Shelby County's effective tax rate of 0.81% is higher than the Kentucky state average of 0.73%. The median annual property tax in Shelby County is $2,248, compared to the state average of $1,093.
What is the median home value in Shelby County, Kentucky?
The median home value in Shelby County, Kentucky is $277,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Why is Shelby County property tax rate higher than the Kentucky average?
Shelby County's effective property tax rate of 0.81% is higher than the Kentucky average of 0.73%. This difference of 0.08% 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 Shelby County rank for property taxes in Kentucky?
Shelby County ranks #96 out of 120 counties in Kentucky by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.81% and median annual tax of $2,248, 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.