How Property Tax Works
Alexander County's property tax system serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential county services including public schools, emergency services, road maintenance, and general government operations. Property owners in Alexander County pay taxes based on the assessed value of their real estate and personal property, with revenue supporting both county-wide services and local municipal functions.
The county's property tax rate for FY 2025-2026 is 65 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, which translates to an effective rate of 0.65%. However, actual tax bills vary significantly depending on location within the county due to special taxing districts, municipal taxes, and fire district assessments. Property owners should expect their total effective rate to range from 0.65% to over 1% when combining county, municipal, and special district levies.
Property assessments in Alexander County are conducted periodically, with the county assessor determining market value based on recent sales data, property characteristics, and local market conditions. Unlike some states, North Carolina does not impose a statewide assessment cap, meaning property values can increase to full market value during revaluations.