Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cottonwood, Alabama
Median Cottonwood, Alabama effective property tax rate: 0.30%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47%.
Median Cottonwood, Alabama home value: $95,200
Median annual Cottonwood, Alabama tax bill: $338, $2,062 lower and lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Houston calculated?
Property taxes in Cottonwood, Alabama are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Cottonwood's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cottonwood, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.3%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$286
$265
How Does the Cottonwood Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cottonwood property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cottonwood's median effective tax rate of 0.30% — based on actual property records in Houston County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Cottonwood's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Cottonwood: rates range from 0.30% in 36320 to 0.30% in 36320, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cottonwood.
About Cottonwood Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cottonwood, Houston, Alabama
Cottonwood’s median effective property tax rate of 0.30% is lower than the Alabama state median of 0.47% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Houston County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Cottonwood. Homeowners in the 36320 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.30%, while those in the same ZIP code pay 0.30%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Houston County. Understanding which part of Cottonwood you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Cottonwood homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Cottonwood's effective property tax rate to other cities in Alabama and the median property tax rates in Alabama and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Cottonwood Tax Rate
0.30%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Houston County Tax Rate
0.34%
Median Effective Alabama Tax Rate
0.47%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36320 | 0.22% | 0.28% | 0.30% | 0.62% | 0.76% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
When examining property taxes in Cottonwood, Alabama, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Houston County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Houston County, assessment notices are sent in May each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For Cottonwood, the median home price is $95,200, with a median tax bill of $338. The highest median home price is in 36320 at $95,200.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
Source: Ownwell
$92,450
$169,825
$247,200
Median Cottonwood Market Value
$95,200
Median Houston County Market Value
$148,250
Median Alabama Market Value
$169,700
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36320 | $18,280 | $45,850 | $95,200 | $182,500 | $284,260 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
Property tax bills in Cottonwood are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set for Houston County. The bill is calculated by applying that rate to the property’s assessed market value, so a higher assessment usually means a higher tax bill. Factors such as the home’s location, size, condition, and any local taxing jurisdictions can all influence the final amount.
For a median-priced home of $95,200, property taxes can vary widely depending on the assessment and exemptions that apply. The 25th percentile tax bill is $164, while the 75th percentile is $586 and the 90th percentile is $923, showing how much bills can differ from one homeowner to another.
The median tax bill is $338 in ZIP code 36320, which is also the highest and lowest median tax bill reported for the area. For homeowners, this means property taxes can be a meaningful part of annual housing costs, especially when a home’s assessed value rises faster than expected.
Median Cottonwood Tax Bill
$338
Median Houston County Tax Bill
$589
Median Alabama Tax Bill
$813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cottonwood, Houston County, Alabama
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36320 | $72 | $164 | $338 | $586 | $923 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 14 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Houston Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.ingproperty.com |