Bainbridge, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Bainbridge, GA property taxes: $1,829/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Decatur County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $174,700 in Bainbridge.Median annual tax bill: $1,829.Tax rate: Decatur County's combined rate is 3.011%.Appeals filed with: Decatur County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Bainbridge is the Decatur County seat in southwest Georgia, with a population of about 14,400 and home values that run roughly 10% above the county median. This guide covers how to tell whether your assessment is fair and what steps to take if it isn't.
Property Tax Rates in Bainbridge
Bainbridge property taxes are assessed and collected by Decatur County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Bainbridge home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $174,700
Assessed Value ($174,700 x 0.40): $69,880
Tax Rate (Decatur County combined rate): 3.011%
Annual Tax Bill ($69,880 x 3.011%): $2,104
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $1,829 for Bainbridge, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Bainbridge Compares
Bainbridge: $174,700
Decatur County: $158,800
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Bainbridge are valued 10% above the Decatur County median. The median annual tax bill in Bainbridge ($1,829) is 27% above Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Decatur County range from about $89,104 (25th percentile) to $245,005 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Bainbridge Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Bainbridge are handled by the Decatur County Board of Assessors. You have 45 days from the date of the assessment notice to file using the PT-311A form.
Based on a combined tax rate of 3.011%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Bainbridge home ($174,700 down by $17,470) would save approximately $210 per year - or $630 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Bainbridge is $1,829, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Decatur County's millage rate of 3.011%, the computed tax on the median home ($174,700) is approximately $2,104.
Who do I contact to appeal my Bainbridge property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Decatur County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
How is my Bainbridge property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Bainbridge's median home ($174,700), the assessed value is $69,880. Multiply by Decatur County's millage rate of 3.011% to get your annual bill. Many Bainbridge homeowners find that assessed values have climbed faster than actual sale prices. Comparing your value to 3-5 recent sales of similar homes is the quickest way to spot an overassessment.
Is it worth appealing a small overvaluation in Bainbridge?
Yes. Even a $120 per year overcharge (from a $10,000 overvaluation at Decatur County's 3.011% rate) adds up to $360 over three years with the 299c freeze. The appeal is free to file and there is no risk of your assessment increasing.
Can I appeal if I just bought my Bainbridge home?
Yes. If you paid less than the county's assessed fair market value, your purchase price is strong evidence of overassessment. If you paid more, the county may eventually reassess upward -- but they cannot do so just because you appealed. Either way, you should compare your assessed value to what similar nearby homes actually sold for.
Can my property tax go up if I appeal?
No. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-311) protects you: the county cannot raise your assessed value above what they originally set just because you filed an appeal. The Board of Equalization only rules on the disputed value. Worst case, your appeal is denied and you keep your current assessment -- your taxes will not increase as a result of appealing.