Madison County Property Tax Guide 2026 for Northwest Arkansas Home Buyers
Madison County, Arkansas homeowners pay roughly 0.43 percent of market value per year in property tax, lower than Benton County (about 0.54 percent), Washington County (about 0.49 percent), and the Arkansas statewide median of about 0.52 percent. On a $200,000 home, that difference works out to between $120 and $400 per year in Madison County's favor compared to the other core Northwest Arkansas counties. Specific millage totals vary by school district within each county; a homeowner buying in a particular district should pull the exact rate for that district from the Arkansas DFA millage report linked below.
Sources: Tax Foundation Property Taxes by State and County for effective rates; Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, 2024 Millage Report for 2025 collections for specific school district mill totals; SmartAsset Arkansas Property Tax Calculator for the statewide median.
Talk to us about Madison County
What is the effective property tax rate in Madison County?
The effective property tax rate in Madison County, Arkansas is approximately 0.43 percent of home market value, per county-level data from the Tax Foundation and the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Department. On a $200,000 home, that works out to roughly $860 per year before any homestead credit.
Arkansas uses an unusual assessment system. Residential property is assessed at 20 percent of market value, and then a local millage rate is applied to that assessed value. The combination of the 20 percent ratio and Madison County's moderate millage is what produces such a low effective rate compared with most of the country.
Source: Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, and the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Department.
How does Madison County compare to Benton and Washington counties?
Madison County's effective rate is the lowest of the four counties that make up the core of Northwest Arkansas. Benton County runs near 0.56 percent, Washington County near 0.63 percent, and Carroll County near 0.50 percent. Adjusted for typical home price, a Madison County buyer pays hundreds of dollars less per year than buyers across the county line.
| County | Effective property tax rate | Median home value | Typical annual tax bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | ~0.43% | $145,100 | ~$624 |
| Carroll | ~0.50% | $154,700 | ~$774 |
| Benton | ~0.56% | $258,400 | ~$1,447 |
| Washington | ~0.63% | $229,800 | ~$1,448 |
Median home values: Madison, Carroll, Benton, and Washington (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).
What homestead credits can Arkansas homeowners use?
Arkansas homeowners can claim the Homestead Property Tax Credit of up to $500 per year on a primary residence, applied directly to the tax bill. Homeowners age 65 or older, or with a permanent disability, also qualify for an assessed-value freeze on their primary residence under Amendment 79 of the Arkansas Constitution.
The credit does not auto-apply. You have to sign up once with the county assessor. After that, it renews automatically while you live in the home. If you are buying a primary residence in Madison County, we will walk you through the paperwork. It is genuinely a short form.
Source: Arkansas Assessment Coordination Department, Homestead Property Tax Credit and Amendment 79 of the Arkansas Constitution.
When are property taxes due in Arkansas?
Arkansas property taxes are due October 15 of the year after assessment. Taxes on your 2025 assessment are payable to your county collector by October 15, 2026. Payments after the deadline accrue a ten percent penalty plus interest.
Most mortgage lenders escrow property taxes as part of your monthly payment and remit to the county directly. If you own the home free and clear, you pay the collector directly, either online, by mail, or in person at the Madison County Courthouse.
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and the Madison County, AR government site.
How does low property tax affect my home affordability?
Low property taxes mean a lower monthly escrow payment, which gives you either more buying power or more cash left over each month. On a $200,000 home, the difference between Madison County and Washington County is roughly $33 per month, about $400 per year, which compounds over the life of a thirty year mortgage.
Lenders count escrow in your debt-to-income ratio. A lower tax bill can be the difference between a qualification that works and one that does not. When we write offers, we run the math with the county-specific tax rate so your lender does too. Ask us for the worksheet.
Ready to look at Madison County homes
Last updated 2026-04-19