Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Surf City, North Carolina
Median Surf City, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.83%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Surf City, North Carolina home value: $306,295
Median annual Surf City, North Carolina tax bill: $2,546, $146 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Pender County calculated?
Property taxes in Surf City, North Carolina 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 Surf City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Surf City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.83%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,542
$2,359
How Does the Surf City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Surf City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Surf City’s median effective tax rate of 0.83% — based on actual property records in Pender 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 Surf City’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 Surf City: rates range from 2,546 in 28445 to 2,546 in 28445, 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 Surf City.
About Surf City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Surf City, Pender, North Carolina
Surf City’s median effective property tax rate of 0.83% is higher than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Pender 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 Surf City. Homeowners in the 28445 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.83%, while those in the same ZIP also pay $2,546 in median property tax bills. Understanding how assessed value and local levies work can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Surf City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the May 4, 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 Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
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 Surf City’s effective property tax rate to other cities in North Carolina and the median property tax rates in North Carolina and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ 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 Surf City Tax Rate
0.83%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ 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 Pender County Tax Rate
0.99%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28445 | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.83% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Surf City, North Carolina, 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 Pender County tax assessor 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 Pender County, assessment notices are sent in March each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March.
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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Surf City.
For example, the median home price in Surf City is $306,295, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 28445 has the highest median home price at $306,295.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$75,914
$246,800
$417,686
Median Surf City Market Value
$306,295
Median Pender County Market Value
$192,718
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28445 | $155,451 | $211,394 | $306,295 | $426,429 | $539,209 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
Property tax bills in Surf City are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by the taxing authorities in Pender County. When a property is valued, that assessment becomes the starting point for calculating the bill, so homes with higher market values generally face higher taxes.
For Surf City homeowners, the median home price is $306,295, and the median tax bill is $2,546, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Bills typically vary across the city, with the 25th percentile at $1,758 and the 75th percentile at $3,540. At the 90th percentile, the tax bill reaches $4,480.
Because property taxes are tied to assessed value, changes in a home’s valuation can directly affect what a homeowner pays each year.
Median Surf City Tax Bill
$2,546
Median Pender County Tax Bill
$1,897
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Surf City, Pender County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28445 | $1,291 | $1,758 | $2,546 | $3,540 | $4,480 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 4 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Pender Tax Assessor | |
| Website | tax.pendercountync.gov |