DeKalb County, AL Property Tax: $458/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in DeKalb County is 0.34% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $135,500, that works out to about $461 per year, or $38 per month. DeKalb County is located in northeastern Alabama, and is home to approximately 71,946 residents.
About DeKalb County
DeKalb County covers approximately 777.1 square miles in Alabama. The county is home to about 71,946 residents living in roughly 30,853 housing units, of which 64.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $51,149, and the median home was built in 1984.
DeKalb County borders Cherokee County, Etowah County, Jackson County, Marshall 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 DeKalb County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
DeKalb County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County, AL | 0.34% | $135,500 | $461 |
| Alabama state average | 0.34% | — | $461* |
| Cherokee County | 0.39% | $165,900 | $643 |
| Etowah County | 0.36% | $160,600 | $585 |
| Jackson County | 0.31% | $145,800 | $449 |
| Marshall County | 0.38% | $183,400 | $699 |
| Chattooga County | 0.86% | $98,700 | $844 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at DeKalb County's median home value of $135,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DeKalb County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Alabama?
At 0.34%, DeKalb County is equal to the Alabama state average of 0.34%. On a home at the county median of $135,500, that means about $461 per year — versus $461 at the state average rate, a difference of $0 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, DeKalb County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in DeKalb County?
For a home at the county median value of $135,500, the annual property tax in DeKalb County is approximately $461 — or about $38 per month. For a home worth $203,250, expect around $691 per year. For a $271,000 home, approximately $921 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a DeKalb County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in DeKalb County are handled by the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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 0.34% shown here. Contact the DeKalb 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