Amherst County, VA Property Tax: $997/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Amherst County is 0.51% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $197,200, that works out to about $1,006 per year, or $84 per month. Amherst County is located in central Virginia, and is home to approximately 31,385 residents.
About Amherst County
Amherst County covers approximately 474.0 square miles in Virginia. The county is home to about 31,385 residents living in roughly 14,301 housing units, of which 69.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,298, and the median home was built in 1977.
Amherst County borders Appomattox County, Bedford County, Campbell County, Nelson County, Rockbridge County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Virginia
Property taxes in Virginia are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Virginia offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Amherst County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Amherst County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst County, VA | 0.51% | $197,200 | $1,006 |
| Virginia state average | 0.67% | — | $1,321* |
| Appomattox County | 0.53% | $189,200 | $1,006 |
| Bedford County | 0.46% | $276,600 | $1,265 |
| Campbell County | 0.46% | $199,200 | $913 |
| Nelson County | 0.54% | $283,000 | $1,517 |
| Rockbridge County | 0.60% | $238,700 | $1,432 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Amherst County's median home value of $197,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Amherst County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Virginia?
At 0.51%, Amherst County is lower than the Virginia state average of 0.67%. On a home at the county median of $197,200, that means about $1,006 per year — versus $1,321 at the state average rate, a difference of $315 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Amherst County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Amherst County?
For a home at the county median value of $197,200, the annual property tax in Amherst County is approximately $1,006 — or about $84 per month. For a home worth $295,800, expect around $1,509 per year. For a $394,400 home, approximately $2,011 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Amherst County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Amherst County are handled by the Amherst County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Amherst County?
Virginia counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.51% shown here. Contact the Amherst County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File