McDowell County Property Taxes
McDowell County, North Carolina
Effective Tax Rate
0.00%
39.2% below state avgMedian Annual Tax
$0
$73/mo escrow
Estimate Your Tax
Annual Tax
$0
Monthly
$0
Eff. Rate
0.52%
At a Glance
Median Home Value
$168,300
State avg ▼ $214,164
Tax w/ Mortgage/yr
$1,033
$86/mo escrow
Tax w/o Mortgage/yr
$750
$63/mo
State Tax Rate Rank
#15
of 100 counties (1 = lowest)
Similar tax rates
Data Story
About Property Taxes in McDowell County, North Carolina
McDowell ranks among America's lowest-tax counties
McDowell County's effective tax rate of 0.517% places it in the lowest 25% nationally. The median property tax of $871 is one-third the national median of $2,690, offering substantial tax savings.
McDowell is among North Carolina's bargains
At 0.517%, McDowell's effective rate falls well below the state average of 0.701%, ranking it in the lowest-tax tier statewide. The median tax bill of $871 saves homeowners $562 compared to the state median of $1,433.
Mountain region keeps taxes consistently low
McDowell's 0.517% rate mirrors Madison County (0.496%) and Mitchell County (0.502%) in the western mountain corridor. This cluster represents some of North Carolina's most tax-affordable areas.
On a median McDowell home, here's the bill
A $168,300 home—McDowell's median value—costs approximately $871 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with a mortgage face $1,033 when county fees are included.
Even low-tax counties have savings opportunities
Assessment inaccuracy affects all counties, including those with lower rates. McDowell homeowners should verify their assessments and explore available exemptions—the assessor's office can guide the appeal process at no cost.
How McDowell County Compares
Median Annual Property Tax
McDowell County
0.52%
Effective rate
North Carolina Avg
0.67%
Effective rate
National Avg
0.91%
Effective rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property tax rate in McDowell County, North Carolina?
How much are property taxes in McDowell County?
How does McDowell County compare to the North Carolina average?
What is the median home value in McDowell County, North Carolina?
Is McDowell County a low property tax area in North Carolina?
How does McDowell County rank for property taxes in North Carolina?
Counties with Similar Tax Rates
Nearby Counties
Other Counties in North Carolina
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.