Buchanan County, VA Property Tax: $404/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Buchanan County is 0.44% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $91,400, that works out to about $402 per year, or $34 per month. Buchanan County is located in western Virginia, and is home to approximately 19,857 residents.
About Buchanan County
Buchanan County covers approximately 502.9 square miles in Virginia. The county is home to about 19,857 residents living in roughly 10,340 housing units, of which 58.4% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $42,216, and the median home was built in 1979.
Buchanan County borders Pike County, Dickenson County, Russell County, Tazewell County, McDowell 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 Buchanan County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Buchanan County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buchanan County, VA | 0.44% | $91,400 | $402 |
| Virginia state average | 0.67% | — | $612* |
| Pike County | 0.73% | $104,200 | $758 |
| Dickenson County | 0.50% | $101,100 | $503 |
| Russell County | 0.54% | $119,600 | $644 |
| Tazewell County | 0.62% | $116,100 | $718 |
| McDowell County | 0.57% | $49,200 | $278 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Buchanan County's median home value of $91,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Buchanan County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Virginia?
At 0.44%, Buchanan County is lower than the Virginia state average of 0.67%. On a home at the county median of $91,400, that means about $402 per year — versus $612 at the state average rate, a difference of $210 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Buchanan County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Buchanan County?
For a home at the county median value of $91,400, the annual property tax in Buchanan County is approximately $402 — or about $34 per month. For a home worth $137,100, expect around $603 per year. For a $182,800 home, approximately $804 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Buchanan County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Buchanan County are handled by the Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 0.44% shown here. Contact the Buchanan 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