June 7, 2025

Hamilton County Announces Historic Low Property Tax Rate

News Summary

Hamilton County has set a new property tax rate of $1.51 per $100 of assessed value for 2025, the lowest since 1941. Mayor Weston Wamp shared that about two-thirds of residents will see their tax bills decrease or stay the same, despite rising property values. The change comes after a countywide reappraisal effort aimed at balancing community needs with the financial impact of property assessments. Homeowners have until Friday at 4 p.m. to appeal their appraised values.

Chattanooga – Hamilton County has announced a historic low property tax rate of $1.51 per $100 of assessed value for the year 2025. This new rate marks a significant decrease from last year’s rate of $2.23 and is the lowest rate recorded since 1941.

County Mayor Weston Wamp and Assessor of Property Marty Haynes revealed the new tax rate during a press conference on Tuesday. Under this new rate, approximately two-thirds of Hamilton County residents are expected to either see their property tax bills decrease or remain the same, despite the rise in property values across the area.

The certified tax rate will be officially reflected on property tax bills issued in the fall of 2025. Residents should be aware, however, that individual tax bills may differ based on how much their property values have appreciated compared to the county average, as the rate is determined by state law, which restricts local governments from increasing revenues based solely on property value hikes.

Mayor Wamp has confirmed that there are no plans to raise the tax rate beyond the certified level for residents of Hamilton County. Meanwhile, the City of Chattanooga’s tax rate remains slightly higher at $1.55 per $100 of assessed value. Residents of the city will experience a combined tax rate of approximately $3.06, which includes county taxes.

Impressive Property Value Increases

This year has witnessed an unprecedented surge in property values within Hamilton County, with a median increase of 60%, the highest jump since local property appraisals started. Assessor Haynes noted that low-income neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Red Bank and East Ridge, have shown some of the most significant property value increases, prompting residents to keep a close eye on how these changes will affect their tax bills.

Appeal Process for Homeowners

Homeowners who believe their property has been appraised at too high a value have until Friday at 4 p.m. to file formal appeals concerning their new appraised values. County officials had estimated around 1,000 formal appeals, yet only about 400 appeals have been submitted as of the latest reports.

Contextual Information

The decision to lower the property tax rate comes in the wake of a countywide reappraisal process conducted by the Assessor’s Office. The purpose of this reappraisal was to ensure that tax rates would remain manageable for residents while keeping revenue levels stable despite rising property values. These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to balance the needs of the community with the challenges of increased property assessments.

As residents prepare for the upcoming tax changes, they are advised to stay informed about the implications of the reappraisal process and to take action if they feel their property values have not been appropriately assessed. The new tax rate, combined with rising property values, has placed a spotlight on property taxes in Hamilton County, as officials continue to navigate these financial dynamics in service of the community.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER

The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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