Ray City, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Ray City, GA property taxes: $959/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Berrien County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $122,800 in Ray City.Median annual tax bill: $959.Tax rate: Berrien County's combined rate is 3.129%.Appeals filed with: Berrien County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Ray City is a small Berrien County city with about 850 residents, where the median home value of roughly $123,000 runs close to the county average. This guide covers how to check whether your assessment matches reality and what to do if it doesn't.
Property Tax Rates in Ray City
Ray City property taxes are assessed and collected by Berrien County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Ray City home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $122,800
Assessed Value ($122,800 x 0.40): $49,120
Tax Rate (Berrien County combined rate): 3.129%
Annual Tax Bill ($49,120 x 3.129%): $1,536
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $959 for Ray City, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Ray City Compares
Ray City: $122,800
Berrien County: $131,600
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Ray City are valued 7% below the Berrien County median. The median annual tax bill in Ray City ($959) is 33% below Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Berrien County range from about $65,783 (25th percentile) to $226,601 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Ray City Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Ray City are handled by the Berrien 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 3.129%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Ray City home ($122,800 down by $12,280) would save approximately $154 per year - or $462 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Ray City is $959, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Berrien County's millage rate of 3.129%, the computed tax on the median home ($122,800) is approximately $1,536.
Who do I contact to appeal my Ray City property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Berrien County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
How is my Ray City property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Ray City's median home ($122,800), the assessed value is $49,120. Multiply by Berrien County's millage rate of 3.129% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Ray City, 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 Ray City?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of Berrien 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.
Are property taxes lower in Ray City than the Georgia average?
Ray City's median annual tax bill of $959 is 33% below the statewide median of $1,439. Lower taxes do not mean your assessment is correct -- the county can still overvalue your specific property. If comparable homes in your area have sold for less than your assessed value, you have grounds to appeal.
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.