Bell County, KY Property Taxes (2026)

Bell County owners pay a median of $617 a year on a median home value of $83,000, an effective rate of 0.74%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 120 Kentucky counties with Census data, above the Kentucky county median of 0.72%.

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

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Effective tax rate

0.74%

41st highest of 120 in KY

Median annual bill

$617

~$51/month

Median home value

$83,000

Kentucky county median

0.72%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Bell County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Bell County's 0.74% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$614
Savings at 10–15% off
$61–$92
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Bell County vs. Kentucky vs. U.S. property tax rates

Bell County0.74%
Kentucky county median0.72%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Bell County's effective property tax rate is 0.74%, vs. 0.72% for the median Kentucky county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 41st of 120 in Kentucky. 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 Bell County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Bell Property Valuation Administrator. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Bell County deadline is Within 60 days of receipt. 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 Property Valuation Administrator.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $617 bill, 10–15% off is $62–$93 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in Kentucky

Kentucky homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Bell Property Valuation Administrator 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 Bell County, Kentucky?
The median effective property tax rate in Bell County is 0.74%: a median annual bill of $617 on a median home value of $83,000. That's the 41st-highest rate of 120 Kentucky 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 Bell County?
The median Bell County property tax bill is $617 a year, about $51 a month, compared with a Kentucky county median of $935.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Bell County?
The deadline to appeal in Bell County is Within 60 days of receipt. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Bell County a high property tax area?
Bell County's 0.74% effective rate is above the Kentucky county median of 0.72% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 120 Kentucky counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Bell County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Knox County

Rate: 0.74%

Median bill: $803

Whitley County

Rate: 0.66%

Median bill: $792

Harlan County

Rate: 0.99%

Median bill: $722

Leslie County

Rate: 0.72%

Median bill: $532

Clay County

Rate: 0.68%

Median bill: $598

Laurel County

Rate: 0.59%

Median bill: $845

Perry County

Rate: 0.73%

Median bill: $661

McCreary County

Rate: 0.73%

Median bill: $565

← All 120 Kentucky counties

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