What is the property tax rate in White County?

The combined effective property tax rate in White County, Arkansas is approximately 0.65%.

White County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Arkansas Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in White County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Searcy-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to White County — including Arkansas's constitutional 20% real-property assessment ratio, Amendment 79's $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025 — applied directly to bill, wipes out tax bills below $600), the senior AV freeze for owners 65+/disabled (frozen at AV when first qualified), the 5% annual AV cap for homestead, and the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected). Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND.

White County, home to Searcy and 78k Arkansans, operates under Arkansas\'s constitutional 20% property tax system. Real property is assessed at 20% of fair market value (Arkansas Constitution Article 16 §15). Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. Amendment 79 (2000) provides three powerful homestead protections: (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025); (2) a 5% annual cap on AV increases for homestead (10% for non-homestead); and (3) an AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled. Effective rates run ~0.55-0.65% statewide median — among the lowest in the United States. Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND — your 2026 assessment is billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027.

How the bill is built

Arkansas property tax follows a 4-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Market Value. The White County Arkansas Assessor determines FMV annually. Step 2: Apply 20% AR. AV = FMV × 20%. So a $200K home has AV = $40K. Step 3: Apply tax rate. Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. White County\'s combined millage is ~65 mills (= ~1.30% gross before homestead). Step 4: Apply $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit. Subtract up to $600 from the bill (no refund of unused credit). For homes producing tax bills under $600, the credit fully wipes out the property tax liability. Effective rate post-credit is ~0.65%.

Arkansas\'s $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit was raised from $500 to $600 by Act 330 of 2025 — effective with 2026 tax bills (which are billed in 2027 due to Arkansas\'s one-year-behind payment cycle). The credit is applied directly to the bill, not as an AV reduction. If your tax bill is below $600, no tax is due — but no refund of remaining credit either. The credit is universal (no age or income restrictions) but limited to one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with the County Assessor.

Amendment 79\'s 5% AV cap for homestead is structurally important. Even if FMV rises 15-20% per year (as has happened in fast-growing Northwest Arkansas — Benton/Washington counties), taxable AV can only increase 5% per year for homestead properties. The cap RESETS at sale — new buyers face a "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision where AV is reset to current market value. This creates substantial AV disparities between long-term residents and recent buyers in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and other appreciating Arkansas markets. Non-homestead properties (rentals, commercial, vacant) are capped at 10% per year.

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for 100% service-connected disabled veterans (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). The exemption also extends to veterans who have lost or lost the use of one or more limbs, or who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes. Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Apply with County Assessor + County Collector with VA disability rating decision. Combined with Arkansas\'s already-low effective rates, qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead.

2026 White County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (20% AR × FMV), Searcy district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined county + municipal + school + special districts (~65 mills × 20% AR = ~0.65% effective, post $600 Homestead Credit)	65.0000
Combined total	65.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From White County Arkansas Assessor.

Note: White County is **home to Harding University** — Searcy (~24K, the seat) hosts the Harding University campus (~5,000 students — Arkansas's largest private university and among the largest Churches of Christ-affiliated universities in the world). The county sits in central Arkansas ~50 miles northeast of Little Rock. Anchored by Searcy, Beebe (~9K, home to Arkansas State University-Beebe community college), Bald Knob, and Judsonia. Major employment includes Harding University, ASU-Beebe, substantial healthcare (Unity Health Searcy), and Riceland Foods (the world's largest rice and rice products marketing cooperative — Arkansas produces approximately 50% of all US rice; Riceland is headquartered in adjacent Stuttgart, Arkansas in Arkansas County, but has substantial White County operations).

Note: White County effective property tax rates run approximately **0.65%** — moderate by Arkansas standards. Combined county + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~65 mills (× 20% AR = ~1.30% gross, reduced by Arkansas's $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit to ~0.65% effective). Median home values around $165K combined with the moderate effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,073.

Note: For relocation buyers: White County offers **the celebrated Harding University + central-Arkansas affordable** option — substantial Harding-anchored economy, the celebrated Churches of Christ educational community, low cost of living, and reasonable Little Rock commute (~55 min via US-67 / US-167). The trade-off: limited high-skill commercial sector outside the universities and healthcare, substantial Harding student-driven seasonal population variation.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Arkansas homeowner property tax relief is concentrated in three Amendment 79 mechanisms (passed by voters in 2000): (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025), (2) the 5% annual AV cap for homestead (10% for non-homestead), and (3) the AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled. Plus the FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption for 100% service-connected disabled vets.

$600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (Amendment 79 — universal)

The Homestead Property Tax Credit was established at $300 per homestead in 2000, raised to $350, then $375, then $425, then $500, and most recently to $600 effective 2026 (Act 330 of 2025). The credit is applied directly to the property tax bill — if your bill is below $600, no tax is due (but no refund of remaining credit). The credit is universal — no age, income, or other qualification beyond homestead status. Limit one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with County Assessor.

5% / 10% Annual AV Cap (Amendment 79)

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 5% per year, regardless of how much FMV rises. For non-homestead (commercial, agricultural, vacant): 10% per year cap. Cap resets at sale (the new owner restarts with full FMV-based AV — the "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision). Caps do NOT apply to newly-constructed property or substantial improvements. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing markets like Northwest Arkansas (Benton/Washington counties), where long-term residents pay far less than recent buyers for identical homes.

Senior/Disabled AV Freeze (Amendment 79)

Owners 65+ or permanently disabled (any age) can apply for a true AV freeze — the AV is frozen at the level when first qualified. Note: the freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases (so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates). The freeze does NOT transfer to new owners at sale. Combined with the universal $600 Homestead Credit, this provides among the most-favorable senior property tax structures in the central United States.

FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected)

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, OR who have lost/lost the use of one or more limbs, OR who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Apply with County Assessor and County Collector.

Appealing your assessment

Arkansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Equalization Board. File written appeal by the third Monday in August each year. The Board holds informal hearings. Level 2: County Court. If unresolved, appeal to County Court within 30 days. Level 3: Arkansas Circuit Court. County Court decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court. Most Arkansas appeals are resolved at Level 1. Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND — your 2026 assessment is billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027.

Cities and towns in White County

White County contains 4 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Searcy to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside White County is subject to White County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Searcy County seat	city	24,000
Beebe	city	9,000
Bald Knob	city	2,700
Judsonia	city	1,900

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Searcy tax district. Other cities in White County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the White County Arkansas Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Arkansas property taxes due?

Arkansas pays property taxes one year behind — your 2026 assessment will be billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027. Most Arkansas counties accept payments starting the first business day in March each year. Late payments after October 15 accrue penalty plus interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

What is Amendment 79?

Amendment 79 to the Arkansas State Constitution (passed by voters in 2000) provides three powerful homestead protections: (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, raised from $500 by Act 330 of 2025) — applied directly to the bill; (2) a 5% annual cap on AV increases for homestead (10% for non-homestead) — caps year-over-year value-driven increases (resets at sale); (3) an AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled — frozen at AV when first qualified.

How does the $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit work?

The Homestead Property Tax Credit is applied directly to your tax bill — up to $600 (effective 2026). If your bill is below $600, no tax is due (but no refund of remaining credit). The credit is universal — no age, income, or other restrictions beyond homestead status. Limit one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with the County Assessor. Originally $300 in 2000, raised in steps to $350, $375, $425, $500, and most recently $600 by Act 330 of 2025.

How does the 5% annual AV cap work?

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 5% per year, regardless of how much FMV rises. For non-homestead (commercial, agricultural, vacant): 10% per year cap. The cap RESETS at sale — the new owner restarts with full FMV-based AV (the "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision). Caps do NOT apply to newly-constructed property or substantial improvements. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing markets like Northwest Arkansas (Benton/Washington counties), where long-term residents pay far less than recent buyers for identical homes.

How does the senior AV freeze work?

Owners 65+ or permanently disabled (any age) can apply for a true AV freeze — the AV is frozen at the level when first qualified. Note: the freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases — so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities (county, school district, city) raise rates. The freeze does NOT transfer to new owners at sale. Combined with the universal $600 Homestead Credit, this provides among the most-favorable senior property tax structures in the central United States. Apply with County Assessor.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in Arkansas?

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, OR who have lost/lost the use of one or more limbs, OR who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Combined with Arkansas\'s already-low effective rates (~0.55-0.65%), qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead. Apply with County Assessor and County Collector with VA disability rating decision.

How do I appeal my Arkansas assessment?

Arkansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Equalization Board. File written appeal by the third Monday in August each year. Level 2: County Court. If unresolved, within 30 days. Level 3: Arkansas Circuit Court. County Court decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court. Most Arkansas appeals are resolved at Level 1.

About White County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Harding University is **among the largest Churches of Christ-affiliated universities in the world** — the Churches of Christ are a celebrated American Restoration Movement Christian denomination (founded in the early 19th century), and Harding (founded 1924, named for President Warren G. Harding) is the largest of approximately 25 Churches of Christ-affiliated colleges and universities in the United States. Harding requires daily chapel attendance for all undergraduate students, prohibits alcohol on campus, and maintains strict moral conduct codes — making it culturally distinct from most American universities. Harding has one of the highest graduate-school admission rates of any US private college and consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the south. The school has over 30,000 living alumni — concentrated in Churches of Christ ministry, education, and missions worldwide.

Hometown hero

Asa Hutchinson + Harding alumni

White County's most-celebrated cultural figures emerge from Harding University's extensive alumni network. **Asa Hutchinson** (born 1950 in Bentonville, AR but with Harding University connection) — 46th Governor of Arkansas (2015-2023), former US Congressman, Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (2001-2003), Under Secretary of Homeland Security (2003-2005) — graduated from **Harding University in 1972**. Other notable Harding/White County figures include **Cliff Harris** (born 1948 in Hot Springs but Harding football alumnus — the Dallas Cowboys 6-time Pro Bowl safety, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2020), and **Travis Tritt** (the country music star, born 1963 in Marietta, GA but with substantial Searcy performance history through his Arkansas tours). **Bobby Petrino** (the football coach, born 1961 in Helena, MT but with substantial Arkansas football connections) was the celebrated and controversial head coach at Harding University football briefly.

Biggest annual event

Harding lectureships + Searcy Art Walk

Harding University's **Annual Bible Lectureships** (since 1924) are among the largest annual gatherings of Churches of Christ ministers and educators in the world — drawing 5,000-7,000 attendees over 4 days each fall. The **Searcy Art Walk** (annual, multiple times per year in downtown Searcy) is a celebrated regional arts event drawing substantial regional attendance. Harding's annual **Spring Sing** musical theater production is a celebrated regional cultural tradition.

Property Tax in White County, 2026