Laurel County, KY Property Tax: $845/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Laurel County is 0.59% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $143,400, that works out to about $846 per year, or $71 per month. Laurel County is located in central Kentucky, and is home to approximately 62,731 residents.
About Laurel County
Laurel County covers approximately 433.7 square miles in Kentucky. The county is home to about 62,731 residents living in roughly 26,705 housing units, of which 63.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $56,999, and the median home was built in 1991.
Laurel County borders Clay County, Jackson County, Knox County, McCreary County, Pulaski County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Kentucky
Property taxes in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Laurel County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Laurel County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel County, KY | 0.59% | $143,400 | $846 |
| Kentucky state average | 0.72% | — | $1,032* |
| Clay County | 0.68% | $87,300 | $598 |
| Jackson County | 0.64% | $107,000 | $683 |
| Knox County | 0.74% | $109,200 | $803 |
| McCreary County | 0.73% | $77,000 | $565 |
| Pulaski County | 0.65% | $156,300 | $1,010 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Laurel County's median home value of $143,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Laurel County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Kentucky?
At 0.59%, Laurel County is lower than the Kentucky state average of 0.72%. On a home at the county median of $143,400, that means about $846 per year — versus $1,032 at the state average rate, a difference of $186 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Laurel County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Laurel County?
For a home at the county median value of $143,400, the annual property tax in Laurel County is approximately $846 — or about $71 per month. For a home worth $215,100, expect around $1,269 per year. For a $286,800 home, approximately $1,692 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Laurel County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Laurel County are handled by the Laurel 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 Laurel County?
Kentucky 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 0.59% shown here. Contact the Laurel 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