New Hanover County, NC Property Tax: $2,075/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in New Hanover County is 0.59% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $353,700, that works out to about $2,087 per year, or $174 per month. New Hanover County is located in southern North Carolina, with Wilmington as its county seat, and is home to approximately 231,214 residents.
About New Hanover County
New Hanover County covers approximately 192.2 square miles in North Carolina. The county is home to about 231,214 residents living in roughly 117,236 housing units, of which 53.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $72,892, and the median home was built in 1992.
The county seat is Wilmington. New Hanover County borders Brunswick County, Pender County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in North Carolina
Property taxes in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 New Hanover County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
New Hanover County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hanover County, NC | 0.59% | $353,700 | $2,087 |
| North Carolina state average | 0.70% | — | $2,476* |
| Brunswick County | 0.57% | $314,700 | $1,789 |
| Pender County | 0.70% | $267,100 | $1,858 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at New Hanover County's median home value of $353,700. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does New Hanover County's property tax rate compare to the rest of North Carolina?
At 0.59%, New Hanover County is lower than the North Carolina state average of 0.70%. On a home at the county median of $353,700, that means about $2,087 per year — versus $2,476 at the state average rate, a difference of $389 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, New Hanover County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in New Hanover County?
For a home at the county median value of $353,700, the annual property tax in New Hanover County is approximately $2,087 — or about $174 per month. For a home worth $530,550, expect around $3,130 per year. For a $707,400 home, approximately $4,174 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a New Hanover County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in New Hanover County are handled by the New Hanover County Assessor's office in Wilmington. 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 New Hanover County?
North Carolina 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 New Hanover 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