Carbon County, PA Property Tax: $2,914/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Carbon County is 1.50% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $193,700, that works out to about $2,906 per year, or $242 per month. Carbon County is located in eastern Pennsylvania, and is home to approximately 65,191 residents.
About Carbon County
Carbon County covers approximately 381.4 square miles in Pennsylvania. The county is home to about 65,191 residents living in roughly 34,299 housing units, of which 61.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,877, and the median home was built in 1972.
Carbon County borders Lehigh County, Luzerne County, Monroe County, Northampton County, Schuylkill County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Pennsylvania
Property taxes in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Carbon County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Carbon County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon County, PA | 1.50% | $193,700 | $2,906 |
| Pennsylvania state average | 1.32% | — | $2,557* |
| Lehigh County | 1.66% | $276,100 | $4,591 |
| Luzerne County | 1.53% | $163,800 | $2,506 |
| Monroe County | 1.84% | $241,200 | $4,435 |
| Northampton County | 1.65% | $285,000 | $4,710 |
| Schuylkill County | 1.53% | $140,400 | $2,147 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Carbon County's median home value of $193,700. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Carbon County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
At 1.50%, Carbon County is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 1.32%. On a home at the county median of $193,700, that means about $2,906 per year — versus $2,557 at the state average rate, a difference of $349 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Carbon County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Carbon County?
For a home at the county median value of $193,700, the annual property tax in Carbon County is approximately $2,906 — or about $242 per month. For a home worth $290,550, expect around $4,358 per year. For a $387,400 home, approximately $5,811 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Carbon County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Carbon County are handled by the Carbon 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 Carbon County?
Pennsylvania 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 1.50% shown here. Contact the Carbon 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