Wise County, VA Property Tax: $658/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Wise County is 0.56% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $116,500, that works out to about $652 per year, or $54 per month. Wise County is located in western Virginia, and is home to approximately 35,727 residents.
About Wise County
Wise County covers approximately 403.4 square miles in Virginia. The county is home to about 35,727 residents living in roughly 16,659 housing units, of which 62.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $50,740, and the median home was built in 1979.
Wise County borders Harlan County, Letcher County, Pike County, Dickenson County, Lee 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 Wise County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Wise County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise County, VA | 0.56% | $116,500 | $652 |
| Virginia state average | 0.67% | — | $781* |
| Harlan County | 0.99% | $73,100 | $722 |
| Letcher County | 0.93% | $70,500 | $657 |
| Pike County | 0.73% | $104,200 | $758 |
| Dickenson County | 0.50% | $101,100 | $503 |
| Lee County | 0.59% | $98,700 | $586 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Wise County's median home value of $116,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Wise County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Virginia?
At 0.56%, Wise County is lower than the Virginia state average of 0.67%. On a home at the county median of $116,500, that means about $652 per year — versus $781 at the state average rate, a difference of $129 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Wise County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Wise County?
For a home at the county median value of $116,500, the annual property tax in Wise County is approximately $652 — or about $54 per month. For a home worth $174,750, expect around $979 per year. For a $233,000 home, approximately $1,305 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Wise County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Wise County are handled by the Wise 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 Wise 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 0.56% shown here. Contact the Wise 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