Kent County, MD Property Tax: $2,896/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Kent County is 0.94% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $307,100, that works out to about $2,887 per year, or $241 per month. Kent County is located in central Maryland, with Chestertown as its county seat, and is home to approximately 19,265 residents.
About Kent County
Kent County covers approximately 276.9 square miles in Maryland. The county is home to about 19,265 residents living in roughly 10,326 housing units, of which 59.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $74,402, and the median home was built in 1977.
The county seat is Chestertown. Kent County borders Kent County, New Castle County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Cecil County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Maryland
Property taxes in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Kent County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Kent County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent County, MD | 0.94% | $307,100 | $2,887 |
| Maryland state average | 0.96% | — | $2,948* |
| Kent County | 0.46% | $290,600 | $1,331 |
| New Castle County | 0.74% | $329,800 | $2,444 |
| Anne Arundel County | 0.85% | $450,300 | $3,836 |
| Baltimore County | 1.10% | $330,000 | $3,645 |
| Cecil County | 0.98% | $311,800 | $3,059 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Kent County's median home value of $307,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kent County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Maryland?
At 0.94%, Kent County is lower than the Maryland state average of 0.96%. On a home at the county median of $307,100, that means about $2,887 per year — versus $2,948 at the state average rate, a difference of $61 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Kent County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Kent County?
For a home at the county median value of $307,100, the annual property tax in Kent County is approximately $2,887 — or about $241 per month. For a home worth $460,650, expect around $4,330 per year. For a $614,200 home, approximately $5,773 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Kent County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Kent County are handled by the Kent County Assessor's office in Chestertown. 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 Kent County?
Maryland 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 0.94% shown here. Contact the Kent 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