Bethlehem, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Bethlehem, GA property taxes: $1,929/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Barrow County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $263,500 in Bethlehem.Median annual tax bill: $1,929.Tax rate: Barrow County's combined rate is 2.488%.Appeals filed with: Barrow County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Bethlehem is a small Barrow County town where the median home value of about $263,500 falls roughly 10% below the county average. If your assessment doesn't reflect that, you may be paying more than your fair share of property taxes.
Property Tax Rates in Bethlehem
Bethlehem property taxes are assessed and collected by Barrow County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Bethlehem home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $263,500
Assessed Value ($263,500 x 0.40): $105,400
Tax Rate (Barrow County combined rate): 2.488%
Annual Tax Bill ($105,400 x 2.488%): $2,622
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $1,929 for Bethlehem, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Bethlehem Compares
Bethlehem: $263,500
Barrow County: $294,700
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Bethlehem are valued 11% below the Barrow County median. The median annual tax bill in Bethlehem ($1,929) is 34% above Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Barrow County range from about $218,102 (25th percentile) to $380,445 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Bethlehem Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Bethlehem are handled by the Barrow 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 2.488%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Bethlehem home ($263,500 down by $26,350) would save approximately $262 per year - or $786 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Bethlehem is $1,929, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Barrow County's millage rate of 2.488%, the computed tax on the median home ($263,500) is approximately $2,622.
Who do I contact to appeal my Bethlehem property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Barrow County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
How is my Bethlehem property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Bethlehem's median home ($263,500), the assessed value is $105,400. Multiply by Barrow County's millage rate of 2.488% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Bethlehem, the county may rely on limited data to set your value. If your home is unique or the comparable sales used are a poor match, there is a good chance your assessment is off.
What if there are few comparable sales near Bethlehem?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of Barrow County -- the BOE panel understands limited inventory in small towns. Look for homes with similar square footage, lot size, and condition even if they are several miles away.
Can I appeal if I just bought my Bethlehem 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.