Lee County, VA Property Tax: $586/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Lee County is 0.59% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $98,700, that works out to about $582 per year, or $49 per month. Lee County is located in southwestern Virginia, and is home to approximately 22,042 residents.
About Lee County
Lee County covers approximately 435.4 square miles in Virginia. The county is home to about 22,042 residents living in roughly 10,857 housing units, of which 57.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $42,269, and the median home was built in 1978.
Lee County borders Bell County, Harlan County, Claiborne County, Hancock County, Scott County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Virginia
Property taxes in 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 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 Lee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Lee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County, VA | 0.59% | $98,700 | $582 |
| Virginia state average | 0.67% | — | $661* |
| Bell County | 0.74% | $83,000 | $617 |
| Harlan County | 0.99% | $73,100 | $722 |
| Claiborne County | 0.49% | $148,000 | $728 |
| Hancock County | 0.45% | $118,000 | $533 |
| Scott County | 0.68% | $122,300 | $826 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Lee County's median home value of $98,700. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Virginia?
At 0.59%, Lee County is lower than the Virginia state average of 0.67%. On a home at the county median of $98,700, that means about $582 per year — versus $661 at the state average rate, a difference of $79 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Lee County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Lee County?
For a home at the county median value of $98,700, the annual property tax in Lee County is approximately $582 — or about $49 per month. For a home worth $148,050, expect around $873 per year. For a $197,400 home, approximately $1,165 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Lee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Lee County are handled by the Lee 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 Lee County?
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 0.59% shown here. Contact the Lee 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