Carter County, TN Property Tax: $833/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Carter County is 0.53% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $157,200, that works out to about $833 per year, or $69 per month. Carter County is located in eastern Tennessee, and is home to approximately 56,462 residents.
About Carter County
Carter County covers approximately 341.3 square miles in Tennessee. The county is home to about 56,462 residents living in roughly 27,982 housing units, of which 64.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $48,435, and the median home was built in 1977.
Carter County borders Avery County, Mitchell County, Johnson County, Sullivan County, Unicoi County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Tennessee
Property taxes in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Carter County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Carter County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carter County, TN | 0.53% | $157,200 | $833 |
| Tennessee state average | 0.51% | — | $802* |
| Avery County | 0.41% | $233,200 | $966 |
| Mitchell County | 0.50% | $202,100 | $1,014 |
| Johnson County | 0.38% | $175,500 | $673 |
| Sullivan County | 0.63% | $190,800 | $1,205 |
| Unicoi County | 0.57% | $168,200 | $960 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Carter County's median home value of $157,200. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Carter County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Tennessee?
At 0.53%, Carter County is higher than the Tennessee state average of 0.51%. On a home at the county median of $157,200, that means about $833 per year — versus $802 at the state average rate, a difference of $31 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Carter County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Carter County?
For a home at the county median value of $157,200, the annual property tax in Carter County is approximately $833 — or about $69 per month. For a home worth $235,800, expect around $1,250 per year. For a $314,400 home, approximately $1,666 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Carter County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Carter County are handled by the Carter 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 Carter County?
Tennessee 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 0.53% shown here. Contact the Carter 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