Lithonia, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Lithonia, GA property taxes: $2,617/year median. See rates, how to appeal in DeKalb County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $223,000 in Lithonia.Median annual tax bill: $2,617.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.
Lithonia is a small DeKalb County city east of Atlanta, where the median home value of about $223,000 runs nearly 38% below the broader DeKalb figure. With that kind of gap, an assessment based on countywide trends rather than Lithonia's local market could cost you hundreds of extra dollars a year.
Property Tax Rates in Lithonia
Lithonia 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 Lithonia home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $223,000
Assessed Value ($223,000 x 0.40): $89,200
Tax Rate (DeKalb County combined rate): 4.379%
Annual Tax Bill ($89,200 x 4.379%): $3,906
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $2,617 for Lithonia, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Lithonia Compares
Lithonia: $223,000
DeKalb County: $357,800
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Lithonia are valued 38% below the DeKalb County median. Lower values do not mean your assessment is automatically correct - overassessments happen at every price point. The median annual tax bill in Lithonia ($2,617) is 81% 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 Lithonia Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Lithonia 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 Lithonia home ($223,000 down by $22,300) would save approximately $391 per year - or $1,173 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Lithonia is $2,617, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using DeKalb County's millage rate of 4.379%, the computed tax on the median home ($223,000) is approximately $3,906.
Who do I contact to appeal my Lithonia 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.
Are Lithonia homes undervalued compared to DeKalb County?
Lithonia's lower median does not mean the county's assessment of your specific home is correct. Overassessments happen at every price point. Compare your assessed value per square foot to actual recent sales of similar homes nearby.
How is my Lithonia property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Lithonia's median home ($223,000), the assessed value is $89,200. Multiply by DeKalb County's millage rate of 4.379% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Lithonia, 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 Lithonia?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of DeKalb 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.
Why is my Lithonia property tax bill so high?
The median tax bill in Lithonia is $2,617 -- 81% 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.