Kanawha County, WV Property Tax: $922/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Kanawha County is 0.68% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $135,000, that works out to about $918 per year, or $77 per month. Kanawha County is located in western West Virginia, and is home to approximately 178,198 residents.
About Kanawha County
Kanawha County covers approximately 901.7 square miles in West Virginia. The county is home to about 178,198 residents living in roughly 90,388 housing units, of which 59.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $58,887, and the median home was built in 1966.
Kanawha County borders Boone County, Clay County, Fayette County, Jackson County, Lincoln County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in West Virginia
Property taxes in West 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 West 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 Kanawha County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Kanawha County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanawha County, WV | 0.68% | $135,000 | $918 |
| West Virginia state average | 0.50% | — | $675* |
| Boone County | 0.65% | $90,300 | $587 |
| Clay County | 0.34% | $107,100 | $369 |
| Fayette County | 0.66% | $104,200 | $690 |
| Jackson County | 0.56% | $154,600 | $871 |
| Lincoln County | 0.48% | $103,400 | $494 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Kanawha County's median home value of $135,000. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kanawha County's property tax rate compare to the rest of West Virginia?
At 0.68%, Kanawha County is higher than the West Virginia state average of 0.50%. On a home at the county median of $135,000, that means about $918 per year — versus $675 at the state average rate, a difference of $243 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Kanawha County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Kanawha County?
For a home at the county median value of $135,000, the annual property tax in Kanawha County is approximately $918 — or about $77 per month. For a home worth $202,500, expect around $1,377 per year. For a $270,000 home, approximately $1,836 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Kanawha County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Kanawha County are handled by the Kanawha 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 Kanawha County?
West 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 0.68% shown here. Contact the Kanawha 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