Penobscot County, ME Property Tax: $2,435/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Penobscot County is 1.26% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $193,800, that works out to about $2,442 per year, or $204 per month. Penobscot County is located in northeastern Maine, with Bangor as its county seat, and is home to approximately 153,571 residents.
About Penobscot County
Penobscot County covers approximately 3,397.2 square miles in Maine. The county is home to about 153,571 residents living in roughly 75,405 housing units, of which 60.4% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $63,248, and the median home was built in 1977.
The county seat is Bangor. Penobscot County borders Aroostook County, Hancock County, Piscataquis County, Somerset County, Waldo County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Maine
Property taxes in Maine 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 Maine 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 Penobscot County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Penobscot County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penobscot County, ME | 1.26% | $193,800 | $2,442 |
| Maine state average | 1.11% | — | $2,151* |
| Aroostook County | 1.22% | $131,700 | $1,611 |
| Hancock County | 0.88% | $278,400 | $2,445 |
| Piscataquis County | 0.97% | $153,300 | $1,487 |
| Somerset County | 1.16% | $155,200 | $1,798 |
| Waldo County | 1.08% | $239,100 | $2,593 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Penobscot County's median home value of $193,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Penobscot County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Maine?
At 1.26%, Penobscot County is higher than the Maine state average of 1.11%. On a home at the county median of $193,800, that means about $2,442 per year — versus $2,151 at the state average rate, a difference of $291 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Penobscot County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Penobscot County?
For a home at the county median value of $193,800, the annual property tax in Penobscot County is approximately $2,442 — or about $204 per month. For a home worth $290,700, expect around $3,663 per year. For a $387,600 home, approximately $4,884 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Penobscot County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Penobscot County are handled by the Penobscot County Assessor's office in Bangor. 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 Penobscot County?
Maine 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 1.26% shown here. Contact the Penobscot 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