Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Forest City, North Carolina
Median Forest City, North Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.71%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81%.
Median Forest City, North Carolina home value: $115,300
Median annual Forest City, North Carolina tax bill: $853, $1,547 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Rutherford calculated?
Property taxes in Forest 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 Forest City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Forest City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.71%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$819
$760
How Does the Forest City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Forest City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Forest City’s median effective tax rate of 0.71% — based on actual property records in Rutherford 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 Forest 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 Forest City: rates range from 0.71% in 28043 to 0.71% in 28043, 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 Forest City.
About Forest City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Forest City, Rutherford, North Carolina
Forest City's median effective property tax rate of 0.71% is lower than the North Carolina state median of 0.81% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Rutherford 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 Forest City. Homeowners in the 28043 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.71%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 0.71%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Rutherford County. Understanding which part of Forest City you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Forest City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the 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 Forest City, Rutherford 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 Forest 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.
Property Tax Rates Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.57%
0.93%
1.28%
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 Forest City Tax Rate
0.71%
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 Rutherford County Tax Rate
0.68%
Median Effective North Carolina Tax Rate
0.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28043 | 0.55% | 0.60% | 0.71% | 1.05% | 1.06% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
When examining property taxes in Forest 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 Rutherford 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 Rutherford County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
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 Forest City.
For example, the median home price in Forest City is $115,300, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 28043 has the highest median home price at $115,300.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$81,000
$185,500
$290,000
Median Forest City Market Value
$115,300
Median Rutherford County Market Value
$123,300
Median North Carolina Market Value
$221,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28043 | $42,770 | $80,800 | $115,300 | $154,000 | $211,350 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
Forest City property tax bills are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value set by the county. That means the bill depends on both how much the property is worth and the tax rate set for Rutherford County and local taxing authorities.
For a home with a median value of $115,300, the property tax bill in Forest City is shaped by those assessments and local rates. The median tax bill is $853.00, and the 25th percentile and 75th percentile bills are $602 and $1,130, respectively, while the 90th percentile reaches $1,634.
These differences show how property taxes can vary from one homeowner to another, even within the same city. A higher assessed value or a higher tax rate can raise the bill, while lower assessments can reduce it. For homeowners, that means property taxes can have a meaningful impact on annual housing costs.
Property Tax Bills Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$594
$1,319
$2,044
Median Forest City Tax Bill
$853
Median Rutherford County Tax Bill
$843
Median North Carolina Tax Bill
$1,813
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28043 | $340 | $602 | $853 | $1,130 | $1,634 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | May 4 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Rutherford Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.rutherfordcountync.gov |