Kern County, CA Property Taxes (2026)

Kern County owners pay a median of $2,833 a year on a median home value of $310,600, an effective rate of 0.91%. That's the 1st-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data, above the California county median of 0.70%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

TaxDrop does not currently serve Kern County. Data below is for reference.

Effective tax rate

0.91%

1st highest of 58 in CA

Median annual bill

$2,833

~$236/month

Median home value

$310,600

California county median

0.70%

Effective rate

Kern County vs. California vs. U.S. property tax rates

Kern County0.91%
California county median0.70%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Kern County's effective property tax rate is 0.91%, vs. 0.70% for the median California county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 1st of 58 in California. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Kern County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Kern County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Kern County deadline is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $2,833 bill, 10–15% off is $283–$425 a year.

TaxDrop does not currently serve Kern County. Data below is for reference.

Property tax exemptions in California

California homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Kern County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Kern County, California?
The median effective property tax rate in Kern County is 0.91%: a median annual bill of $2,833 on a median home value of $310,600. That's the 1st-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Kern County?
The median Kern County property tax bill is $2,833 a year, about $236 a month, compared with a California county median of $3,172.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Kern County?
The deadline to appeal in Kern County is July 2 – November 30. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Kern County a high property tax area?
Kern County's 0.91% effective rate is above the California county median of 0.70% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 1st-highest rate of 58 California counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Kern County property taxes?
TaxDrop does not currently serve Kern County. Data below is for reference.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Tulare County

Rate: 0.73%

Median bill: $2,213

Ventura County

Rate: 0.69%

Median bill: $5,326

Kings County

Rate: 0.75%

Median bill: $2,295

Los Angeles County

Rate: 0.69%

Median bill: $5,438

Santa Barbara County

Rate: 0.66%

Median bill: $4,870

San Luis Obispo County

Rate: 0.70%

Median bill: $5,475

Fresno County

Rate: 0.75%

Median bill: $2,704

Inyo County

Rate: 0.71%

Median bill: $2,392

← All 58 California counties

TaxDrop does not currently serve Kern County

TaxDrop does not currently serve Kern County. Data below is for reference.