In Kern County, California the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. The median homeowner pays $2,833 a year in real estate taxes on a home with a median value of $310,600. That rate is the 1st highest of the 58 California counties with published data, and the 1385th highest of 3,132 counties in the United States.
Property tax in Kern County
The effective rate is the median real estate tax paid divided by the median home value. The California statewide average is 0.71%, so Kern County is above it. Applying this county's rate to other home prices gives a rough idea of the yearly bill; actual bills depend on the school district, exemptions and the assessed value.
| Home value | Estimated tax per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,820 | $152 |
| $300,000 | $2,730 | $228 |
| $310,600 (county median) | $2,830 | $236 |
| $400,000 | $3,640 | $303 |
| $500,000 | $4,550 | $379 |
Home values and incomes
The median home value is $310,600 (52nd highest in California, 453rd highest nationally) and the median household income is $67,660. Homes cost about 4.6 times a typical household's yearly income. Median gross rent is $1,220 a month. 59.8% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,068 a year for insurance. For comparison, the California statewide median home value is $761,538.
Counties near Kern County in the California property tax ranking
| County | Effective rate | Median home value |
|---|---|---|
| Kern County | 0.91% | $310,600 |
| Placer County | 0.85% | $658,800 |
| Imperial County | 0.84% | $279,500 |
| Contra Costa County | 0.83% | $830,800 |
| Riverside County | 0.82% | $510,300 |
| San Benito County | 0.81% | $751,500 |
| Sierra County | 0.78% | $334,100 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Kern County, California?
The effective property tax rate is 0.91% of home value per year, the 1st highest of 58 counties in California (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates).
How much is property tax on a $300,000 home in Kern County?
At the county's effective rate of 0.91%, about $2,730 a year (roughly $228 a month). Your actual bill depends on the assessed value, your school district and exemptions.
What is the median home value in Kern County?
The median home value is $310,600 (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates, owner-occupied homes).
What is the median household income in Kern County?
The median household income is $67,660 (Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates).