Ellijay, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Ellijay, GA property taxes: $1,159/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Gilmer County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $349,100 in Ellijay.Median annual tax bill: $1,159.Tax rate: Gilmer County's combined rate is 1.599%.Appeals filed with: Gilmer County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Ellijay is the Gilmer County seat and the self-proclaimed apple capital of Georgia, with a median home value around $349,000 -- about 11% above the county average. If your assessment climbed alongside the area's growing popularity with second-home buyers, it's worth checking whether it still reflects what your property would actually sell for.
Property Tax Rates in Ellijay
Ellijay property taxes are assessed and collected by Gilmer County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Ellijay home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $349,100
Assessed Value ($349,100 x 0.40): $139,640
Tax Rate (Gilmer County combined rate): 1.599%
Annual Tax Bill ($139,640 x 1.599%): $2,232
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $1,159 for Ellijay, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Ellijay Compares
Ellijay: $349,100
Gilmer County: $314,000
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Ellijay are valued 11% above the Gilmer County median. The median annual tax bill in Ellijay ($1,159) is 19% below Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Gilmer County range from about $190,919 (25th percentile) to $482,067 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Ellijay Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Ellijay are handled by the Gilmer 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 1.599%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Ellijay home ($349,100 down by $34,910) would save approximately $223 per year - or $669 over three years with the 299c freeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is property tax in Ellijay, GA?
The median annual property tax bill in Ellijay is $1,159, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Gilmer County's millage rate of 1.599%, the computed tax on the median home ($349,100) is approximately $2,232.
Who do I contact to appeal my Ellijay property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Gilmer County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
How is my Ellijay property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Ellijay's median home ($349,100), the assessed value is $139,640. Multiply by Gilmer County's millage rate of 1.599% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Ellijay, 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 Ellijay?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of Gilmer 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 Ellijay 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.