Property tax in Covington city, Virginia
The median property tax bill in Covington city, Virginia is $681 a year, which is about 0.82% of the county's median home value of $83,500. That effective rate is higher than the typical Virginia county (0.6%) and higher than the national median (0.81%). These are American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024); your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Estimate the property tax on a home in Covington city
Enter a home's market value for a ballpark at Covington city's average effective rate of 0.82% (Census). The real bill depends on the home's assessed value, the millage where it sits and any exemptions.
Estimated property tax: $685 / year
Property tax in Covington city at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $681 |
| Median home value | $83,500 |
| Effective tax rate | 0.82% |
| Typical Virginia county rate | 0.6% |
| National median county rate | 0.81% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Covington city compare in Virginia?
Among Virginia's 133 counties, Covington city has the 24th highest effective property-tax rate: 23 rank higher and 109 rank lower. That is on the higher side for Virginia. Nationally, it ranks 1542nd of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every Virginia county ranked.
How much do homeowners in Covington city actually pay?
The median is only the middle bill. Across Covington city's 1,806 owner-occupied homes, 4.6% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 10.4% pay at least $2,000, and 56% pay under $800. Another 5.6% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.
| Annual bill | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $800 | 1,012 | 56% |
| $800 to $1,499 | 384 | 21.3% |
| $1,500 to $1,999 | 121 | 6.7% |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 104 | 5.8% |
| $3,000 or more | 83 | 4.6% |
| No property tax paid | 102 | 5.6% |
Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $795 and owners without one pay $540. Owners who have paid off a home have usually held it longer, and in states that cap how fast an existing owner's assessment can rise, long-held homes carry lower assessed values. Census table B25103.
How does the Covington city property tax bill compare with local incomes?
The median property tax bill of $681 is about 1.4% of the median income of Covington city homeowner households, $49,760 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 70.1% of Covington city's occupied homes are lived in by their owners; renters pay property tax too, just folded into rent.
Have property taxes gone up in Covington city?
Yes. The median bill went from $488 in 2015-2019 to $681 in 2020-2024, a 39.5% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 14.5%, from $72,900 to $83,500. Bills rose faster than values, which usually means local rates went up or an exemption shrank.
Two Census ACS 5-year periods with no survey years in common, in each period's own dollars. A change counts only if it exceeds the combined 90% margin of error.
Property tax in counties next to Covington city
Covington city borders 1 county.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington city, VA (this county) | 0.82% | $681 | $83,500 |
| Alleghany County, VA | 0.79% | $1,000 | $125,800 |
How is a home assessed in Covington city?
Virginia assesses homes at 100% of market value in every county, Covington city included. How Virginia assesses and reappraises homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in Covington city?
No. Virginia has no general homestead exemption; relief is limited to the elderly and disabled, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of service members and first responders killed in the line of duty. That is the Virginia rule, and it applies in Covington city. Virginia's exemptions and relief programs in full.
When are property taxes due in Covington city?
Set locally. Each county, city or town bills on its own schedule, commonly semiannually, and sets its own due dates and late penalties. Virginia has no statewide due date.
That is the Virginia rule. Covington city issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.
How to appeal your Covington city property assessment
You contest the assessed value with the Local Board of Equalization, then circuit court. That is the Virginia rule; Covington city sets the exact dates and forms. The Virginia appeal process step by step.
Virginia rules from primary state sources, reviewed September 7, 2026; sources on the Virginia page.
Work out your own numbers
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How much house can I afford?
Your income, debts and down payment against the 28/36 rule lenders actually use, with Covington city's tax rate to hand.
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Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment with principal, interest, tax and insurance, plus what an extra payment saves you.
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Virginia income tax
Brackets, standard deduction and what Virginia actually taxes.
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Sales tax in Covington city
The other local tax: combined state and local rate for this county.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for Covington city, Virginia: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024), tables B25103, B25077, B25102, B25119 and B25003; the five-year comparison uses the 2015-2019 estimates. Neighboring counties: Census county adjacency file.