Decatur, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Decatur, GA property taxes: $9,295/year median. See rates, how to appeal in DeKalb County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $701,400 in Decatur.Median annual tax bill: $9,295.Tax rate: DeKalb County's combined rate is 4.379%.Appeals filed with: DeKalb County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Decatur is one of DeKalb County's most sought-after cities, with a median home value of roughly $701,000 -- nearly double the county average -- and median tax bills topping $9,200. With that much at stake, verifying that your assessment is based on accurate comparable sales is well worth the effort.
Property Tax Rates in Decatur
Decatur property taxes are assessed and collected by DeKalb County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Decatur home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $701,400
Assessed Value ($701,400 x 0.40): $280,560
Tax Rate (DeKalb County combined rate): 4.379%
Annual Tax Bill ($280,560 x 4.379%): $12,285
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $9,295 for Decatur, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Decatur Compares
Decatur: $701,400
DeKalb County: $357,800
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Decatur are valued 96% above the DeKalb County median. Higher home values mean a larger tax bill - and a bigger potential payoff from a successful appeal. The median annual tax bill in Decatur ($9,295) is 545% above Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in DeKalb County range from about $237,245 (25th percentile) to $559,874 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Decatur Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Decatur are handled by the DeKalb 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 4.379%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Decatur home ($701,400 down by $70,140) would save approximately $1,229 per year - or $3,687 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Decatur is $9,295, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using DeKalb County's millage rate of 4.379%, the computed tax on the median home ($701,400) is approximately $12,285.
Who do I contact to appeal my Decatur property tax?
Appeals are filed with the DeKalb County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
Why are Decatur home values higher than the DeKalb County average?
Decatur's premium reflects demand driven by school quality, proximity to employment centers, and neighborhood amenities. Higher values mean a larger potential overassessment -- a 10% overvaluation costs approximately $1,228 per year in excess taxes.
How is my Decatur property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Decatur's median home ($701,400), the assessed value is $280,560. Multiply by DeKalb County's millage rate of 4.379% to get your annual bill. In growing cities like Decatur, reassessments often outpace actual market conditions -- compare your assessed value per square foot to recent closed sales within 1 mile of your home.
What evidence wins a property tax appeal in Decatur?
The strongest evidence is 3-5 comparable sales -- homes similar to yours in size, age, and condition that sold recently for less than your assessed value. In Decatur, there are typically enough recent sales to build a strong case. Focus on per-square-foot price comparisons and adjust for differences in lot size, condition, and amenities.
Why is my Decatur property tax bill so high?
The median tax bill in Decatur is $9,295 -- 545% above Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. This reflects both higher home values and DeKalb County's combined millage rate. If your individual assessment is higher than what your home would actually sell for, you are paying even more than necessary.
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.