Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Williamsburg, Virginia
Median Williamsburg, Virginia effective property tax rate: 0.78%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Virginia state median of 0.90%.
Median Williamsburg, Virginia home value: $413,000
Median annual Williamsburg, Virginia tax bill: $3,089, $689 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in James City calculated?
Property taxes in Williamsburg, Virginia 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 Williamsburg's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Williamsburg, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.78%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,221
$2,989
How Does the Williamsburg Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Williamsburg property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Williamsburg's median effective tax rate of 0.78% — based on actual property records in James City County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Williamsburg'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 Williamsburg: rates range from $3,014.00 in 23188 to $3,220.00 in 23185, 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 Williamsburg.
About Williamsburg Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Williamsburg, James City, Virginia
Williamsburg's median effective property tax rate of 0.78% is lower than the Virginia state median of 0.90% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the James City 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 Williamsburg. Homeowners in the 23185 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.78%, while those in 23188 pay 0.78%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across James City County. Understanding which part of Williamsburg you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Williamsburg homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the June 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 Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
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 Williamsburg's effective property tax rate to other cities in Virginia and the median property tax rates in Virginia 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 Williamsburg Tax Rate
0.78%
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 James City County Tax Rate
0.78%
Median Effective Virginia Tax Rate
0.90%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23185 | 0.65% | 0.71% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
| 23188 | 0.65% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% | 0.78% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
When examining property taxes in Williamsburg, Virginia, 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. James City County 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 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 are sent in February each year. They typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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. The median home price in Williamsburg is $413,000, and tax bills vary across the county. ZIP code 23185 has the highest median home price at $432,200. The median tax bill is $3,089, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
Source: Ownwell
$302,350
$367,275
$432,200
Median Williamsburg Market Value
$413,000
Median James City County Market Value
$409,100
Median Virginia Market Value
$323,500
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23185 | $203,380 | $295,900 | $432,200 | $604,100 | $861,800 |
| 23188 | $234,000 | $302,400 | $400,600 | $533,300 | $673,980 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
Property tax bills in Williamsburg are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by James City County and other taxing authorities. When a property is assessed, officials estimate its market value, then apply the tax rate to determine the bill. For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value usually leads to a higher tax bill, while a lower assessment can reduce what is owed.
With a median home price of $413,000, Williamsburg homeowners often see bills that reflect the area’s relatively high home values. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,256, while the 75th percentile is $4,165 and the 90th percentile is $5,504, showing how much bills can vary from one property to another. The highest median tax bill is $3,220 in ZIP code 23185, and the lowest median tax bill is $3,014 in ZIP code 23188. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, many Williamsburg homeowners pay more, making accurate assessments especially important.
Property Tax Bills Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
Source: Ownwell
$2,095
$2,658
$3,220
Median Williamsburg Tax Bill
$3,089
Median James City County Tax Bill
$3,054
Median Virginia Tax Bill
$2,852
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23185 | $1,467 | $2,160 | $3,220 | $4,502 | $6,512 |
| 23188 | $1,698 | $2,290 | $3,014 | $4,030 | $5,112 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| James City Tax Assessor | |
| Website | property.jamescitycountyva.gov |