Rutherford County, TN Property Tax: $1,757/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Rutherford County is 0.51% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $346,400, that works out to about $1,767 per year, or $147 per month. Rutherford County is located in central Tennessee, and is home to approximately 351,591 residents.
About Rutherford County
Rutherford County covers approximately 619.3 square miles in Tennessee. The county is home to about 351,591 residents living in roughly 135,336 housing units, of which 60.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $82,588, and the median home was built in 2000.
Rutherford County borders Bedford County, Cannon County, Coffee County, Davidson County, Marshall County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Tennessee
Property taxes in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Rutherford County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Rutherford County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County, TN | 0.51% | $346,400 | $1,767 |
| Tennessee state average | 0.51% | — | $1,767* |
| Bedford County | 0.50% | $255,300 | $1,274 |
| Cannon County | 0.48% | $227,600 | $1,091 |
| Coffee County | 0.61% | $227,300 | $1,378 |
| Davidson County | 0.62% | $386,600 | $2,390 |
| Marshall County | 0.54% | $246,100 | $1,334 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Rutherford County's median home value of $346,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Rutherford County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Tennessee?
At 0.51%, Rutherford County is equal to the Tennessee state average of 0.51%. On a home at the county median of $346,400, that means about $1,767 per year — versus $1,767 at the state average rate, a difference of $0 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Rutherford County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Rutherford County?
For a home at the county median value of $346,400, the annual property tax in Rutherford County is approximately $1,767 — or about $147 per month. For a home worth $519,600, expect around $2,650 per year. For a $692,800 home, approximately $3,533 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Rutherford County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Rutherford County are handled by the Rutherford 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 Rutherford County?
Tennessee 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 0.51% shown here. Contact the Rutherford 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