Cherokee County, AL Property Tax: $643/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Cherokee County is 0.39% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $165,900, that works out to about $647 per year, or $54 per month. Cherokee County is located in northeastern Alabama, with Centre as its county seat, and is home to approximately 25,224 residents.
About Cherokee County
Cherokee County covers approximately 553.5 square miles in Alabama. The county is home to about 25,224 residents living in roughly 14,663 housing units, of which 56.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $50,769, and the median home was built in 1987.
The county seat is Centre. Cherokee County borders Calhoun County, Cleburne County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Chattooga County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Alabama
Property taxes in Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Cherokee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Cherokee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County, AL | 0.39% | $165,900 | $647 |
| Alabama state average | 0.34% | — | $564* |
| Calhoun County | 0.41% | $149,500 | $610 |
| Cleburne County | 0.29% | $144,200 | $417 |
| DeKalb County | 0.34% | $135,500 | $458 |
| Etowah County | 0.36% | $160,600 | $585 |
| Chattooga County | 0.86% | $98,700 | $844 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Cherokee County's median home value of $165,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cherokee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Alabama?
At 0.39%, Cherokee County is higher than the Alabama state average of 0.34%. On a home at the county median of $165,900, that means about $647 per year — versus $564 at the state average rate, a difference of $83 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Cherokee County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Cherokee County?
For a home at the county median value of $165,900, the annual property tax in Cherokee County is approximately $647 — or about $54 per month. For a home worth $248,850, expect around $971 per year. For a $331,800 home, approximately $1,294 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Cherokee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Cherokee County are handled by the Cherokee County Assessor's office in Centre. 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 Cherokee County?
Alabama 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 0.39% shown here. Contact the Cherokee 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