Spencer County, KY Property Tax: $2,118/yr (2026)
Last reviewed:
The effective property tax rate in Spencer County is 0.71% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $297,600, that works out to about $2,113 per year, or $176 per month. Spencer County is located in central Kentucky, and is home to approximately 19,875 residents.
About Spencer County
Spencer County covers approximately 186.7 square miles in Kentucky. The county is home to about 19,875 residents living in roughly 7,599 housing units, of which 80.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $98,333, and the median home was built in 1998.
Spencer County borders Anderson County, Bullitt County, Jefferson County, Nelson County, Shelby 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 Spencer County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Spencer County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer County, KY | 0.71% | $297,600 | $2,113 |
| Kentucky state average | 0.72% | — | $2,143* |
| Anderson County | 0.80% | $213,200 | $1,698 |
| Bullitt County | 0.85% | $233,700 | $1,994 |
| Jefferson County | 0.85% | $237,200 | $2,023 |
| Nelson County | 0.80% | $224,100 | $1,782 |
| Shelby County | 0.81% | $277,500 | $2,248 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Spencer County's median home value of $297,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Spencer County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Kentucky?
At 0.71%, Spencer County is lower than the Kentucky state average of 0.72%. On a home at the county median of $297,600, that means about $2,113 per year — versus $2,143 at the state average rate, a difference of $30 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Spencer County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Spencer County?
For a home at the county median value of $297,600, the annual property tax in Spencer County is approximately $2,113 — or about $176 per month. For a home worth $446,400, expect around $3,169 per year. For a $595,200 home, approximately $4,226 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Spencer County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Spencer County are handled by the Spencer 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 Spencer 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 0.71% shown here. Contact the Spencer 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