Demorest, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Demorest, GA property taxes: $1,396/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Habersham County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $232,600 in Demorest.Median annual tax bill: $1,396.Tax rate: Habersham County's combined rate is 2.388%.Appeals filed with: Habersham County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Demorest is a small Habersham County city that's home to Piedmont University, with a median home value around $233,000 -- right in line with the county figure. A close match to the county median doesn't mean your specific assessment is accurate, though, and this guide walks you through verifying it.
Property Tax Rates in Demorest
Demorest property taxes are assessed and collected by Habersham County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Demorest home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $232,600
Assessed Value ($232,600 x 0.40): $93,040
Tax Rate (Habersham County combined rate): 2.388%
Annual Tax Bill ($93,040 x 2.388%): $2,221
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $1,396 for Demorest, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Demorest Compares
Demorest: $232,600
Habersham County: $238,300
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Demorest are valued 2% below the Habersham County median. The median annual tax bill in Demorest ($1,396) is 2% below Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Habersham County range from about $154,400 (25th percentile) to $349,922 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Demorest Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Demorest are handled by the Habersham 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 2.388%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Demorest home ($232,600 down by $23,260) would save approximately $222 per year - or $666 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Demorest is $1,396, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Habersham County's millage rate of 2.388%, the computed tax on the median home ($232,600) is approximately $2,221.
Who do I contact to appeal my Demorest property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Habersham County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
How is my Demorest property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Demorest's median home ($232,600), the assessed value is $93,040. Multiply by Habersham County's millage rate of 2.388% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Demorest, 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 Demorest?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of Habersham 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 Demorest 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.