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about cherokee county

Situated just 25 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is growing and vibrant Cherokee County. Dubbed as the place “Where Metro Meets the Mountains,” Cherokee benefits from a region that’s both business savvy and environmentally alluring.

Mountain peaks and abundant wildlife create a community full of options for picnicking, hiking, swimming, boating on Lake Allatoona, camping, and hunting. Picturesque golf courses, natural parks, renowned Dixie Speedway, along with dozens of restaurants, shops, and businesses provide a wide array of entertainment and commerce. Home to the Georgia Northeastern Rail and Cherokee County Regional Airport, the county’s largest companies include: Timken, Seaboard Farms Poultry, Universal Alloy Corporation, Cagle Dairy Farms, BizChair, Reinhardt University, Meyn America, PlayNation, and Morrison Products.
Cherokee County is located just 10 miles from the city of Canton which offers the charm of yesterday with the conveniences of today including:

  • A strong healthcare community featuring Northside Hospital-Cherokee, with more than 400 physicians along with women’s health, cancer care, cardiology, emergency, and other services. There are also a number of outpatient services located throughout the county. The new $250 million facility in Canton is a state-of-the-art campus of health and wellness.
  • Abundant shopping, dining, and entertainment at Riverstone and Canton Market Place.

A 48,000 sq. ft. Cherokee County Aquatic Center provides year-round aqua-therapy programs, aquatic exercise classes, swimming classes, as well as competitive and recreational swimming opportunities. Cherokee County has been voted a Top Place to Live and one of the many reasons is the low property taxes.

Cherokee County Facts 

 

Distance from county seat to:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – 50 miles
Downtown Atlanta – 40 miles

 

Cities within the county

Canton
Ball Ground
Holly Springs
Waleska
Woodstock

 

The Facts

Population: 215,084
Millage Rate (uninc): 4.38
Median Home Price: $193,606
Cherokee County Tax Commissioner: 678-493-6400

 

Taxes

Based on the board of tax assessors, ad valorem tax or Cherokee County property tax basis is established as of January 1st of each year. The basis for the taxation is the fair market value of the property. The tax is levied on the assessed value of the property, which is, by law, established at 40% of fair market value. The amount of tax is determined by the tax rate levied by the various entities (one mill is equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 of net assessed value). For example:

Appraised Value of Property: $100,000
Assessed Value of Property (40% of appraised value): $40,000
State Homestead Exemption: $2,000
Local Homestead Exemption: $4,000
2019 Millage Rate:

Unincorporated 28.415
County M & O  5.212
Fire 3.292
Park Bond .461
School M & O 18.450    
School Bond 1.00

 

Tax Exemptions

Requirements for all exemptions:
  • the applicant must own and reside on the property on or before January 1st of the year the exemption is effective
  • any age, income, and/or disability requirements must be verified
  • deadline – April 1st of effective tax year

Homestead Exemption – ES 1
  • must own and reside on the property on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • if qualified, you will receive an assessment reduction of $2,000.00 off the assessed value of state and school and $5,000 off the assessed value for county.

EL7F HOMESTEAD FREEZE
  • HOMESTEAD FREEZE EXEMPTION WILL ELIMINATE COUNTY M & O TAXES ON INFLATIONARY INCREASE IN VALUE AFTER BASE YEAR

Double Homestead Exemption – ES4 EL4 ESC – over 65
  • must be 65 years of age or older on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • must own and reside on the property on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • the net income for applicant and spouse cannot exceed $10,000 for 2014 NOTE: applicants and their spouses combined are allowed up to $63,912(changes yearly) additional retirement and/or social secirity income
  • if qualified, you will receive an assessment reduction of $5,000 on your assessed value for county taxes and $4,000 for state and 156,000 for school taxes

Elderly School Exemption – EL3 ES3 – over 62 / SG
  • must have homestead exemption
  • must be 62 years of age or older on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • if qualified, you will be exempt from school taxes only up to ($390,000) fair market value) or (156,000 of assessed value)
  • exemption will come only on one (1) dwelling on said property
  • unmarried surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer killed in the line of duty

Disability School Tax Exemption – EL6 ES1
  • must have homestead exemption
  • must have letter certified by a medical doctor as being 100% disabled on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • if qualified, you will be exempt from school taxes only up to ($390,000 fair market value) or ($156,000 of assessed value)

Disabled Veteran’s Exemption ES5
Disabled Veteran Widow Exemption ES5
  • must be certified by the Veteran Administration and/or a medical doctor as having a 100% service connected disability on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • if qualified, you will be exempt $70,465 off the assessed value–applies to both county and school M&O. NOTE: if certified by the VA and/or a medical doctor, proof of an honorable discharge must be submitted
  • if receiving a check from the VA, talk with their office for a letter of recommendation
  • widow can not be remarried to qualify for disabled veteran’s exemption
  • if receiving a check from veterans, check with their office for letter of recommendation

Increase Exemption
  • may not have regular or double homestead exemption
  • must be 62 years of age or older on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
  • total household income from all sources for the previous tax year cannot have exceeded $30,000.00
  • exemption only applies to assessment increases on residence and up to 5 acres that the residence stands upon
  • does not include any county bond, school and municipal taxation

Cherokee County recognizes the Elderly School Exemption. Applicants must have the homestead exemption and must be 62 years of age or older, on or before January 1st of effective tax year. If qualified, applicant will be exempt from school taxes only up to $320,625 fair market value, or $128,250 of assessed value.

For more information on the Cherokee County, click here.

 

Learn More

Explore Lake Arrowhead and surrounding Cherokee County using our Points of Interest Map.