What is the property tax rate in Cleveland County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Cleveland County, Oklahoma is approximately 1.05%.

Cleveland County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Oklahoma Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Cleveland County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Norman-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Cleveland County — including Oklahoma's constitutional 11% real-property assessment ratio (Article X §8), the $1,000 standard + $1,000 additional Homestead Exemption, the Senior Valuation Limitation (true AV freeze for 65+ with HUD-county-median income — Oklahoma County $99K, Tulsa $90,300, Canadian $99K for 2026), the 3% annual AV cap (Article X §8B), and the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected, Article X §8E since 2008). Effective rates ~0.87% statewide median (35th nationally).

Cleveland County, home to Norman and 300k Oklahomans, operates under Oklahoma\'s constitutional 11% real-property assessment ratio (Oklahoma Constitution Article X §8 — counties may assess at 11-13.5%, most use the 11% minimum). AV = Fair Cash Value (FCV) × 11%. Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. Combined millage typically 90-135 mills (= ~1.0-1.5% gross before homestead). Oklahoma uses "Fair Cash Value" (FCV) terminology rather than the more-common Fair Market Value. The structural protections — the constitutional 11% AR, the $1,000 standard Homestead Exemption (+ $1,000 additional if income-tested), the Senior Valuation Limitation, and the 3% annual AV cap — combine to produce one of the more-favorable property tax structures in the central United States. Effective rates run ~0.87% statewide median, 35th nationally — well below neighboring Texas (1.80%) and Kansas (1.41%).

How the bill is built

Oklahoma property tax follows a 4-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Cash Value. The Cleveland County Oklahoma Assessor determines FCV annually using comparable sales (most common), cost approach, or income approach. Step 2: Apply 11% AR. AV = FCV × 11%. So a $200K home has AV = $22,000. Step 3: Apply $1,000 standard Homestead Exemption. AV = $22,000 − $1,000 = $21,000. Step 4: Apply tax rate. Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. Cleveland County\'s combined millage is ~95 mills (= ~1.04% effective). For homestead-eligible owners 65+ or fully disabled with gross household income at or below $30,000, an additional $1,000 AV reduction stacks (saves another ~$100-135/year).

Oklahoma\'s constitutional 3% annual AV cap (Article X §8B) is structurally important. Even if FCV rises 10-20% per year (as has happened in fast-growing Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros since 2020), taxable AV can only increase 3% per year for homestead properties. Originally a 5% cap when established by State Question 676 in 1996, the cap was reduced to 3% by State Question 758 in 2012. The cap RESETS at sale — new buyers face the full FCV-based AV. This creates substantial AV disparities between long-term residents and recent buyers in appreciating Oklahoma markets. Non-homestead properties have a 5% cap.

The Senior Valuation Limitation (Article X §8C, established by SQ 715 in 2004) is one of the most-progressive senior property tax protections in the United States. Owners 65+ with gross household income at or below the **prior-year HUD median income for the county** receive a true AV freeze. The income limits are county-specific and rise annually with HUD adjustments. For 2026: Oklahoma County $99,000 (raised from $89,000 by Oklahoma County Assessor Larry Stein, October 2025); Tulsa County $90,300; Canadian County $99,000. Once qualified, the AV is frozen at the level when first granted. Applies to homestead property only. Apply with County Assessor by March 15. Re-qualification required if income exceeds the limit in any year.

Oklahoma provides a FULL property tax exemption on the entire fair cash value of the homestead for 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled veterans (Oklahoma Constitution Article X §8E, established by State Question 735 in 2008). Among the most-generous in the United States — applies to ENTIRE FCV (not capped at any dollar amount). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Combined with Oklahoma\'s moderate effective rates (~0.87% statewide), qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead. Apply with County Assessor with VA disability rating decision.

2026 Cleveland County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (11% AR × FCV), Norman district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined county + municipal + school + special districts (~95 mills × 11% AR = ~1.05% effective, post $1,000 standard homestead)	95.0000
Combined total	95.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Cleveland County Oklahoma Assessor.

Note: Cleveland County is **home to the University of Oklahoma** — Norman (~130K, the seat) hosts the OU campus (~28,000 students — the flagship of the Oklahoma state university system, a celebrated research university with notable programs in petroleum engineering, meteorology, geology, and the **OU Sooners** athletics program — Big 12 / SEC Conference, 7 NCAA football national championships including 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, and 2000). The county is the third-most-populous in Oklahoma. Anchored by Norman, **Moore** (~64K — fast-growing OKC south suburb, devastated by EF5 tornadoes in 1999, 2003, and 2013), Noble, Lexington, and Slaughterville. Major employment includes OU, OU Health Sciences Center (Norman campus), the **National Weather Center** (the major federal weather research facility on the OU campus), Norman Regional Health System, and substantial OKC commuter employment (Moore is essentially an OKC south suburb).

Note: Cleveland County effective property tax rates run approximately **1.05%** — moderate by Oklahoma standards. Combined county + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~95 mills (× 11% AR = ~1.045% gross). Median home values around $215K combined with the moderate effective rate produce median annual bills around $2,258.

Note: For relocation buyers: Cleveland County offers **the premier OU university + central-Oklahoma research** option — substantial OU-anchored economy, the celebrated Sooners athletic identity ("Boomer Sooner!"), the National Weather Center research community, exceptional cultural amenities (OU's Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History), and direct OKC commute via I-35 (Norman to downtown OKC ~20-25 min during off-peak). The trade-off: **substantial tornado risk** — central Cleveland County (Moore especially) has been devastated by major EF5 tornadoes in 1999 (the Bridge Creek-Moore F5, 36 fatalities), 2003, and 2013 (the Moore EF5, 24 fatalities including 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary School). Cleveland County is among the most-tornado-impacted counties in the United States.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Oklahoma homeowner property tax relief operates through four primary mechanisms: (1) the $1,000 standard Homestead Exemption (universal AV reduction), (2) the $1,000 additional Homestead Exemption (income-tested at $30K, for 65+ or fully disabled), (3) the Senior Valuation Limitation (true AV freeze for 65+ at HUD-county-median income), and (4) the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected, entire FCV). Plus the structural protection of the constitutional 3% annual AV cap (Article X §8B).

$1,000 Standard Homestead Exemption (universal)

The standard Homestead Exemption is a flat $1,000 reduction in assessed value (AV). At Oklahoma\'s typical 90-135 mills, this saves approximately $100-135 per year. Required: legal Oklahoma residency, ownership as of January 1, principal residence on January 1 with intent to remain through next January 1, and deed recorded with County Clerk by February 1. Apply once with County Assessor by March 15 — the exemption stays in effect until you sell or move (no annual renewal). Oklahoma assessors estimate that ~10-20% of eligible Oklahoma homeowners fail to claim this exemption, losing $100-135 per year unnecessarily. File as soon as you purchase.

$1,000 Additional Homestead Exemption (income-tested)

Owners 65+ OR fully disabled with gross household income at or below $30,000 receive an additional $1,000 AV reduction (per OK Statutes §68-2890), saving another ~$100-135 per year. Income definition is broad — includes pensions, Social Security, capital gains, etc., but excludes veterans\' disability compensation and gifts. For seniors who have already qualified once, no annual reapplication is required (unless income exceeds the limit, which must be reported to the Assessor).

Senior Valuation Limitation (Article X §8C)

Established by State Question 715 in 2004, the Senior Valuation Limitation provides a true AV freeze for owners 65+ with gross household income at or below the prior-year HUD median income for the county — a generous and progressive structure. Income limits are county-specific and rise annually. For 2026: Oklahoma County $99,000 (raised from $89,000 by County Assessor Larry Stein, October 2025); Tulsa County $90,300; Canadian County $99,000. The freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases — so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates, but the AV portion stays locked. Once qualified and continuously meeting income limits, no annual reapplication is required. Apply with County Assessor by March 15.

3% Annual AV Cap (Article X §8B)

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 3% per year, regardless of how much FCV rises. Originally a 5% cap when established by State Question 676 in 1996, the cap was reduced to 3% by State Question 758 in 2012. The cap RESETS at sale — new buyers face the full FCV-based AV. Caps do NOT apply to newly-constructed property or substantial improvements. Non-homestead properties are capped at 5%. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros where long-term residents pay less than recent buyers for identical homes.

FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption (Article X §8E, 100% service-connected)

Established by State Question 735 in 2008, Oklahoma provides a FULL property tax exemption on the entire fair cash value of the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled. Among the most-generous in the United States — applies to ENTIRE FCV (not capped at any dollar amount). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Apply with County Assessor with VA disability rating decision and DD-214.

Appealing your assessment

Oklahoma property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Board of Equalization. File written appeal by the first Monday in May each year (or within 20 days of receiving a Notice of Increase in Valuation, whichever is later). The Board holds informal hearings — present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or condition documentation. Level 2: County Court of Tax Review. If unresolved, appeal to County Court within 10 days of Board decision. Level 3: Oklahoma Supreme Court. County Court decisions can be appealed on legal/constitutional grounds. Most Oklahoma appeals are resolved at Level 1. Tax cycle: bills mailed in November, payable in halves (first half due Dec 31, second half due March 31) or in full by Dec 31.

Cities and towns in Cleveland County

Cleveland County contains 5 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Norman 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 Cleveland County is subject to Cleveland County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Norman County seat	city	130,000
Moore	city	64,000
Noble	city	7,100
Slaughterville	town	4,400
Lexington	city	2,200

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Norman tax district. Other cities in Cleveland 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 Cleveland County Oklahoma Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Oklahoma property taxes due?

Oklahoma property tax bills are mailed in November. You can pay in full by December 31, OR in two halves: first half due December 31, second half due March 31. Late payments after March 31 accrue penalty plus interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer. Oklahoma uses "Fair Cash Value" (FCV) terminology rather than the more-common Fair Market Value.

What is Oklahoma\'s 11% assessment ratio?

Oklahoma\'s constitutional 11-13.5% assessment ratio (Article X §8) — most counties use the 11% minimum — means a home with Fair Cash Value of $200,000 has assessed value of just $22,000. Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. So at typical 100 mills, the gross tax is $2,200 (before $1,000 standard Homestead Exemption reduces it to $2,090). This produces effective rates around ~0.87% statewide median, 35th nationally — well below neighboring Texas (1.80%) and Kansas (1.41%).

How does the $1,000 Homestead Exemption work?

The standard Homestead Exemption is a flat $1,000 reduction in assessed value (AV). At Oklahoma\'s typical 90-135 mills, this saves approximately $100-135 per year. Required: legal Oklahoma residency, ownership as of January 1, principal residence on January 1, and deed recorded with County Clerk by February 1. Apply once with County Assessor by March 15 — the exemption stays in effect until you sell or move (no annual renewal). Owners 65+ or fully disabled with gross household income at or below $30,000 also qualify for an additional $1,000 AV reduction.

How does the Senior Valuation Limitation work?

The Senior Valuation Limitation (Oklahoma Constitution Article X §8C, established by State Question 715 in 2004) is a true AV freeze for owners 65+ with gross household income at or below the prior-year HUD median income for the county — county-specific and progressive. For 2026: Oklahoma County $99,000 (raised from $89,000 by Assessor Larry Stein, October 2025); Tulsa County $90,300; Canadian County $99,000. Once qualified, the AV is frozen at the level when first granted. The freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases (so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates), but the AV portion stays locked. Apply by March 15.

How does the 3% AV cap work?

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 3% per year, regardless of how much Fair Cash Value rises (Oklahoma Constitution Article X §8B). Originally a 5% cap when established by State Question 676 in 1996, the cap was reduced to 3% by State Question 758 in 2012. The cap RESETS at sale — new buyers face the full FCV-based AV. Non-homestead properties are capped at 5%. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma provides a FULL property tax exemption on the entire fair cash value of the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled (Oklahoma Constitution Article X §8E, established by State Question 735 in 2008). Among the most-generous in the United States — applies to ENTIRE FCV (not capped at any dollar amount). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Combined with Oklahoma\'s moderate effective rates, qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead. Apply with County Assessor with VA disability rating decision (must specify 100% permanent and total) and DD-214.

How do I appeal my Oklahoma assessment?

Oklahoma property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Board of Equalization. File written appeal by the first Monday in May each year (or within 20 days of receiving a Notice of Increase in Valuation, whichever is later). Level 2: County Court of Tax Review. Within 10 days of Board decision. Level 3: Oklahoma Supreme Court. County Court decisions can be appealed on legal/constitutional grounds. Most Oklahoma appeals are resolved at Level 1.

About Cleveland County

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

Weird fact

Cleveland County is **among the most-tornado-impacted counties in the United States** — the city of **Moore** has been devastated by major EF5 tornadoes three times in 14 years: **May 3, 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore F5** (36 fatalities, ~$1 billion damage in 1999 dollars, peak winds estimated at 318 mph — the highest wind speed ever measured on Earth at that time, by mobile Doppler radar near Bridge Creek); **May 8, 2003 Moore F4 tornado** (no fatalities but ~$370M damage); and **May 20, 2013 Moore EF5** (24 fatalities including 7 children at Plaza Towers Elementary School, ~$2 billion damage, peak winds 210 mph). The reason Moore has been hit so often is partly statistical (Moore sits in central "Tornado Alley" where supercell thunderstorm dynamics produce the most-intense tornadoes on Earth) and partly recency-bias (long-term average is similar to other central Oklahoma cities). **Norman is home to the National Weather Center on the OU campus** — the major federal weather research facility housing the **Storm Prediction Center**, the **National Severe Storms Laboratory**, and the OU School of Meteorology (the largest US university meteorology program). Norman is widely considered **the meteorology capital of the world** for severe-weather research.

Hometown hero

OU football legends + Brad Henry

University of Oklahoma football has produced an extraordinary number of NFL Hall of Famers and All-Americans over its 7-national-championship history. Notable OU football figures include **Bud Wilkinson** (1916-1994 — the legendary OU coach 1947-1963, won 3 national championships and the celebrated 47-game winning streak 1953-1957, the longest in NCAA football history), **Barry Switzer** (born 1937 — OU coach 1973-1988, won 3 national championships, also coached the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl XXX victory in 1996), **Billy Sims** (1978 Heisman Trophy winner), **Jason White** (2003 Heisman winner), **Sam Bradford** (2008 Heisman winner — later #1 NFL Draft pick, played 2010-2018), **Baker Mayfield** (2017 Heisman winner — later #1 NFL Draft pick, currently QB for Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and **Kyler Murray** (2018 Heisman winner — later #1 NFL Draft pick, currently QB for Arizona Cardinals — making OU the only US school with **3 consecutive #1-overall NFL Draft picks/Heisman winners**). Other notable Cleveland County figures include **Brad Henry** (born 1963 in Shawnee, OK, attended OU — 26th Governor of Oklahoma 2003-2011), **Vince Gill** (the country music star, born 1957 in Norman), and **Toby Keith** (1961-2024 — the celebrated country music star of "Should've Been a Cowboy" 1993 and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" 2002, born in Clinton, OK but raised in Norman).

Biggest annual event

OU football season + Norman Music Festival

OU Sooners football home games at **Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium** (capacity 80,126, in Norman) draw 80,000+ attendees per game with the celebrated "Boomer Sooner!" tradition. The annual **Red River Showdown** (annual, second Saturday of October at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas) — the iconic OU vs. Texas football rivalry — is among the most-celebrated annual college football games in the United States. The **Norman Music Festival** (annual, late April in downtown Norman, since 2008) is a celebrated regional music festival drawing 60,000+ attendees over 3 days.

Property Tax in Cleveland County, 2026