Median tax bill trend in DeKalb County
Planning context only — historical median real estate taxes paid (ACS survey) for comparison. Actual tax bills vary by municipality and exemptions.
Latest
$3,310
2024
Year over year
+$264
+8.7% from 2023
5-Year change
+$896
+37.1% from 2020
U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (B25103_001E) — the median amount homeowners actually pay annually. Reflects all overlapping taxing units net of typical homestead exemptions. Bills for any specific home will vary with assessed value, millage components, and exemption stacking. Years shown follow each source's reporting.
Calculate Your DeKalb County Property Tax
Enter property information and click "Calculate Property Tax" to see results
Planning estimates only — actual taxes depend on official assessments, exemptions, and published rates for your municipality.
Towns in DeKalb County
Browse all 1 towns →1 municipality has town-level detail in this county.
Browse municipalities below for links to town-level estimates and charts where available.
DeKalb County overview
The summary line above shows the latest published effective tax rate for DeKalb County, Georgia. Tax year 2024. It is derived from the same source linked below the overview.
Municipalities within the county can use different tax rates, so selecting a town in the calculator—when available—can change the estimate materially.
Use this page to run estimates, browse municipalities in DeKalb County, and review trends where we have a series from the same source.
How DeKalb County compares
Comparisons use the latest year available per county in our dataset and are for planning only.
County effective rate vs peers
Higher than the median county effective rate in this dataset (0.93% vs 0.88%).
Nearby counties (effective rate)
Lower rate than: Fulton (0.88%). Higher rate than: Gwinnett (0.95%).
What affects property taxes in DeKalb County
These factors apply broadly in Georgia; your actual bill depends on your property and local taxing units.
- Your tax bill is driven by taxable value (assessment or appraised basis, depending on Georgia practice) and the total rate that applies to your property.
- School districts, municipalities, and county government each affect the combined burden; the mix differs by address.
- Exemptions, caps, and protests can change what you owe; confirm eligibility and deadlines with your local appraisal office or tax assessor.
HB 581 floating homestead exemption — DeKalb County opted out
Georgia House Bill 581, the “Save Our Homes Act,” took effect January 1, 2025. It creates a statewide floating homestead exemption that caps annual increases in a homestead’s taxable value at the rate of inflation (CPI). The law was framed as protection against rapid assessment growth in hot real-estate markets.
DeKalb County opted out. Both DeKalb County government and DeKalb County Schools formally opted out of HB 581 for tax year 2025, citing concerns about long-term revenue stability and the lack of a state reimbursement mechanism.
What this means for DeKalb County homeowners: the HB 581 cap on annual taxable-value growth does not apply. Assessed values can rise with market appreciation, subject to the standard 40% assessment ratio. The traditional $2,000 statewide homestead exemption still applies for primary residences, and any local senior, disability, or floating homestead exemptions you qualified for before HB 581 also remain in effect.
What to verify yourself: opt-out decisions can be revisited in future years through the same public hearing process. If a future legislative session changes the framework or DeKalb County reverses its position, the floating homestead would apply going forward. Check the DeKalb County Board of Tax Assessors site each spring before assessment notices go out.
Could exemptions lower your DeKalb County bill?
Beyond the statewide $2,000 homestead exemption, many Georgia counties stack senior, veteran, disability, and floating homestead exemptions that can further reduce your bill. Ownwell can check what you qualify for.
See which exemptions you qualify forCompare with nearby counties
Other counties next to or near DeKalb County.
DeKalb County Property Tax FAQ
Common questions about property taxes in this county
Georgia property tax is calculated as (40% of fair market value − homestead exemptions) × total millage rate. The 40% assessment ratio is set by the state constitution. Total millage is the sum of county, city, school district, and state mills published annually by the Georgia Department of Revenue.