Property Tax in District of Columbia by County
Homeowners in District of Columbia pay a median of $4,180 a year in real estate taxes on a median home value of $724,600, according to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023. The table below covers all 1 counties in the state for which the Census Bureau publishes figures. That state median is about 41% higher than the US median of $2,969.
Two reference points for the state's geography: District of Columbia is District of Columbia's most populous county with 672,079 residents, while District of Columbia is the largest by land area at 61 square miles. Both appear in the table with their own median figures.
The District of Columbia is not a state and has no counties: it is itself a single county-equivalent, which is why the table below has one row. Treated alongside the states, its median tax bill of $4,180 would rank #11 of 51 and its median home value of $724,600 would rank #2 — a high-value, high-tax jurisdiction by either measure. Property tax in the District is administered by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue rather than a county assessor, one of several ways the District's single-layer government differs from a state-plus-county structure. The county-style page for the District carries the same Census figures in county context.
District of Columbia counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia, DC | $4,180 | $724,600 | 0.58% | 672,079 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in District of Columbia
Property tax in District of Columbia is administered locally. As in almost every state, the process starts with an assessment: a local assessor (in most places a county official) estimates the market value of your property. That value, minus any exemptions you qualify for — homestead exemptions are the most common — is multiplied by the combined rates of the local taxing districts where the property sits: typically the county, a municipality, a school district, and sometimes special districts such as fire or water districts.
If your assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can usually appeal. Start by asking the assessor's office for your property record card and checking it for simple errors — wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a missed exemption. If the value still looks wrong, gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby, or an independent appraisal. Appeals go to the local review board named on your notice, and the deadline on that notice controls — appeal windows are typically short.
One caution applies everywhere in District of Columbia: the median figures on this page describe the typical owner-occupied household across the whole state. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, your exemptions, and your exact combination of local districts, so use these numbers as a benchmark and confirm specifics with your county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in District of Columbia?
The median real estate tax paid in District of Columbia is $4,180 per year, on a median home value of $724,600 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which District of Columbia county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, District of Columbia has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $4,180 per year.
Which District of Columbia county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, District of Columbia has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $4,180 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in District of Columbia?
Assessments in District of Columbia are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.