Russell, GA Property Tax: Rates & How to Save (2026)
Russell, GA property taxes: $546/year median. See rates, how to appeal in Barrow County, and check your savings.
Key Takeaways
Median home value: $88,800 in Russell.Median annual tax bill: $546.Tax rate: Barrow County's combined rate is 2.488%.Appeals filed with: Barrow County Board of Assessors (not the city).Appeal deadline: 45 days from your assessment notice date.
Russell is a Barrow County community where the median home value of about $89,000 comes in nearly 70% below the county figure -- one of the widest gaps in the area. If your assessment looks like it was influenced by Barrow County's much higher median, you have strong grounds to appeal.
Property Tax Rates in Russell
Russell property taxes are assessed and collected by Barrow County. Georgia assesses all property at 40% of fair market value.
Here is how the tax math works for the median Russell home:
Fair Market Value (county assessment): $88,800
Assessed Value ($88,800 x 0.40): $35,520
Tax Rate (Barrow County combined rate): 2.488%
Annual Tax Bill ($35,520 x 2.488%): $883
The Census Bureau reports a median annual tax bill of $546 for Russell, which reflects all levies including county, school, and city taxes.
How Russell Compares
Russell: $88,800
Barrow County: $294,700
Georgia (statewide): $170,200
Homes in Russell are valued 70% below the Barrow County median. Lower values do not mean your assessment is automatically correct - overassessments happen at every price point. The median annual tax bill in Russell ($546) is 62% below Georgia's statewide median of $1,439. Home values in Barrow County range from about $218,102 (25th percentile) to $380,445 (75th percentile), so your appeal savings depend heavily on where your home falls in that range.
How to Appeal Your Russell Property Tax
Property tax appeals in Russell are handled by the Barrow 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 2.488%. Your actual rate may vary by tax district.
A 10% reduction on the median Russell home ($88,800 down by $8,880) would save approximately $88 per year - or $264 over three years with the 299c freeze.
The median annual property tax bill in Russell is $546, based on Census ACS 2024 data. Using Barrow County's millage rate of 2.488%, the computed tax on the median home ($88,800) is approximately $883.
Who do I contact to appeal my Russell property tax?
Appeals are filed with the Barrow County Board of Assessors, not at the city level. File a PT-311A form within 45 days of your assessment notice.
Are Russell homes undervalued compared to Barrow County?
Russell'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 Russell property tax bill calculated?
Georgia taxes property at 40% of fair market value. For Russell's median home ($88,800), the assessed value is $35,520. Multiply by Barrow County's millage rate of 2.488% to get your annual bill. In smaller communities like Russell, 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 Russell?
In smaller communities, finding 3-5 recent sales of similar homes can be difficult. Expand your search to other parts of Barrow 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 Russell than the Georgia average?
Russell's median annual tax bill of $546 is 62% 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.