Wake County Property Taxes

The Wake County property tax rate is 0.81%, making the average annual payment $1,793.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The average property tax rate in Wake County,
North Carolina
, is 0.81%, meaning Wake County residents pay an average of $1,793 in property taxes annually. 
Homeownership is an exciting milestone for many Americans, but it comes with lots of responsibility and sometimes confusing obligations, like property taxes. With different rates, deadlines, and payment methods in each county, it’s important to review your local regulations to know exactly what you’re paying for (and how). 
That’s why insurance super app
Jerry
has created this guide to understanding Wake County property taxes: how they’re calculated, when you have to pay them, and the different payment methods available.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

Property tax 101

Property taxes are a revenue source for local governments to pay for public services like education, emergency services, public libraries, and law enforcement. 
Here’s what you need to know about property taxes:
  • Most property taxes apply to real property like land, buildings, and homes
  • Your property taxes are calculated by a local tax assessor who determines rates based on your property’s market value and your local tax rate
  • Property taxes change often because of changing market conditions and municipal budgets

What is the property tax rate in Wake County? 

Wake County’s average tax rate is 0.81% of a property’s assessed market value, which is slightly higher than North Carolina’s average property tax rate of 0.74%. 
You can expect to pay around $1,793 in property taxes per year based on the Wake County average. 

How Wake County property taxes are determined

Each of Wake County’s cities, towns, and even school districts is subject to property tax payment. 
Wake County local governments assess their needs for public services and community improvement projects, calculate an annual budget, and levy taxes to pay for that budget. The County Auditor determines a tax rate for each district based on these levies. 
The Wake County tax assessor
will determine the value of your property based on a fair valuation of the property market in your area. In Wake County, your property is only assessed every four years. Your property tax in Wake County will be 0.81% of this valuation. 
You can appeal your property appraisal to the
Board of Equalization and Review
before the tax filing deadline if you think your property has been valued at more than it’s worth. 
There are multiple tax relief programs in Wake County, such as the
Senior & Disabled Program
, the
Circuit Breaker Program
, and the
Disabled Veteran Program
. These programs are designed to give tax breaks to members of the community who need them most. 

What do Wake County property taxes pay for?

Wake County levies property taxes to fund a variety of services. Depending on your municipality, here are a few services your Wake County property taxes pay for:
  • Transportation 
  • Roads and highways
  • Law enforcement
  • Public health
  • Building safety & infrastructure 
  • Public libraries
  • K-12 and community education 
  • Solid waste
  • Recycling fees
  • Fire rescue
  • Public parks 
  • Stormwater management
You can learn more about how taxes are calculated and what fees might be included in your bill on the
Wake County government website.

How to pay property taxes in Wake County 

Wake County property tax statements are typically sent out each year in July and are due the following January 5th. If property taxes aren’t paid by this deadline, you’ll be charged 2% interest for the month of January and an additional 0.75% each month after that. 
Wake County offers many different payment options for paying your property taxes so you can choose an option that best suits your schedule. 
  • Pay online: Use
    Wake County’s online payment portal
    (available 24/7) to pay your property taxes. The portal will advise you of the total fee before charging your card. 
  • Pay via Online Banking Bill Pay: Use your financial institution’s online bill pay service to pay your property taxes. You should schedule your payment to be made at least five days before the deadline to account for any processing delays. Make sure you include your property tax account number with the payment
  • Pay by Checking Account Online: You can authorize Wake County to
    draft a one-time payment
    from your checking account. It takes two business days to process this payment method, so make sure you make this payment in advance of the deadline. 
  • Pay in person: You can pay your property tax in person at any of the offices listed under the
    Pay in Person
    drop-down menu on the Wake County property tax payment webpage. Only the Tax Administration Main Office accepts debit and credit card payments. 
  • Pay by mail: You can mail a check to this address to pay your property tax by mail: 
Wake County Tax Administration P.O. Box  580084 Charlotte, NC 28258-0084
Include the account number you want to pay in the memo section of the check. If the payment is made in advance, write “prepayment” in this area as well. 

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in North Carolina

Whether you live in
Raleigh
,
Apex
, or
Garner
, insurance comparison and shopping super-car app
Jerry
is here to help you find the homeowners and car insurance for your needs and your wallet. 
It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest.
If you’re hesitant to
switch plans or insurance providers
because you’re worried about the work involved, don’t be. Jerry does all the paperwork for you and can even help cancel your old policy! 
Jerry
made everything super easy! I got the best and cheapest deals. And it’s my first time buying insurance! What a deal!” —Abby W.

FAQs

From 1976 to 2016, Wake County appraised homes every eight years. As of January 1st, 2020, Wake County conducts a General Reappraisal every four years.
A request for appeal can be filed online using the Wake County Tax Administration Portal or in writing to a Tax Administration office in Wake County. Make sure to keep copies of all documents for your records.
Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance
Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings