Cleveland County, North Carolina Property Taxes
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Census Bureau ACS property tax data for North Carolina. Population: 27,540.
The median annual property tax in Cleveland County is $1,286, which is 14% lower than the North Carolina state average and 35% below the national average. The effective tax rate is 0.64% on a median home value of $200,000. Property taxes represent 2.2% of the median household income in this county. All property tax data shown below is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, which aggregates self-reported tax payments from homeowner households across the county. This page includes tax trends over multiple years, comparisons with neighboring counties, and a rent-versus-own cost analysis.
What This Data Tells Us About Cleveland County
Homeowners in Cleveland County pay a median annual property tax of $1,286, which is 35% lower than the national median and 14% below the North Carolina state average. The effective tax rate of 0.64% on a median home value of $200,000 reflects how the local assessment base and millage combine into an actual bill.
Property taxes in Cleveland County represent about 2.2% of the median household income of $58,534, compared with a common national benchmark of 2% to 4%. Homeowners with a mortgage report a median of $1,433 in annual property tax while those without a mortgage report $1,119 — a gap that usually reflects differences in home value rather than differences in tax rate. Compared with 2023, the median tax bill changed by 3.7%, which tracks reassessment cycles and changes in the underlying home value distribution.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe the median homeowner household in Cleveland County as reported to the Census Bureau — your own bill can differ based on your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and municipal overlays. Always consult your county assessor, tax collector, or a qualified professional before making decisions that depend on these numbers.
With vs Without Mortgage
Homeowners with a mortgage typically own higher-valued properties, which can result in higher tax bills.
How does your county compare?
Cleveland County vs Benchmarks
| Metric | Cleveland County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Tax | $1,286 | $1,502 | $1,993 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.64% | 0.67% | 0.92% |
| Median Home Value | $200,000 | $235,312 | $227,791 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates. Tax-burden differences across rows reflect millage decisions, assessment-ratio practices, and the residential-vs-commercial mix of each tax base.
Think your Cleveland County property tax bill is too high?
A successful appeal can lower your assessed value by 10-25%, cutting your annual tax bill by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Use our free Appeal Savings Estimator to project savings on your specific home, then read our step-by-step appeal guide for the exact procedure in North Carolina.
Property Tax History
| Year | Median Tax | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,286 +3.7% | 0.64% |
| 2023 | $1,240 +8.4% | 0.69% |
| 2022 | $1,144 +5.4% | 0.74% |
| 2021 | $1,085 -0.8% | 0.80% |
| 2020 | $1,094 | 0.84% |
Tax Burden
Tax Affordability Score
Based on the effective tax rate of 0.64% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Property taxes in Cleveland County are below average, making it a more affordable area for homeowners.
Other Counties in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average property tax in Cleveland County, North Carolina? ▼
How does Cleveland County property tax compare to the national average? ▼
Does having a mortgage affect property taxes in Cleveland County? ▼
What percentage of income goes to property taxes in Cleveland County? ▼
Are property taxes increasing in Cleveland County? ▼
How can I appeal my property tax assessment in Cleveland County? ▼
Property Tax Guides
Related Data for North Carolina
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
Property tax data reflects median amounts paid by homeowners. Effective rates are calculated as median tax divided by median home value.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.