Unincorporated Newton runs 24.959 mills. Cross into Covington and it’s 30.473. Porterdale hits 37.966. Same county. Very different bills.
Every Newton levy from the Georgia Department of Revenue’s 2025 digest — Covington, Oxford, Porterdale, Social Circle (Newton side) and unincorporated — what it means on a real house, and the homestead exemptions that cut the bill. I sell here. Straight talk.
Tax on a $350,000 home in unincorporated Newton County. That’s about $291 a month in escrow. Georgia assesses 40% of market value ($140,000 here), and this scenario’s 2025 levies total 24.959 mills.
Homestead exemptions reduce this — see the exemptions section below. Confirm any parcel with the county tax assessor / commissioner.
Newton County property tax, explained
Georgia doesn’t tax your full home value. It taxes 40% of fair market value (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7) — the assessed value. Every levy on your parcel then charges its millage against that number: $1 per mill per $1,000 of assessed value.
On a $350,000 home that’s $140,000 assessed, so every mill costs $140 a year. Keep that number in your head — it’s how you compare any two addresses in this county in about five seconds.
| Newton County levy (2025) | M&O | Bond | Who pays it |
|---|---|---|---|
| County (unincorporated & incorporated) | 8.567 | 0.000 | Every parcel in Newton County |
| Newton County Schools | 15.500 | 0.000 | Every parcel outside Social Circle City Schools |
| Social Circle City Schools | 16.890 | 0.000 | Parcels in the Social Circle school district (replaces county schools) |
| County fire district | 0.892 | 0.000 | Typically unincorporated (confirm parcel) |
| City of Covington | 6.406 | 0.000 | Inside Covington city limits |
| City of Oxford | 5.444 | 0.000 | Inside Oxford city limits |
| City of Porterdale | 13.899 | 0.000 | Inside Porterdale city limits |
| City of Social Circle (Newton) | 7.756 | 0.000 | Inside Social Circle city limits (Newton side) |
| Mansfield · Newborn | 2.105 / 0.694 | 0.000 | Inside those city limits |
| CID Hwy 278 | 5.000 | 0.000 | Parcels in the Hwy 278 CID only |
| State of Georgia | 0.000 | — | No state levy on property |
All mills: Georgia Department of Revenue, 2025 County Ad Valorem Tax Digest (Newton County lines). County-plus-school base = 24.067. Typical unincorporated total = 24.959.
Newton County tax rates by city
Same county, different tax scenarios. City math below assumes: county 8.567 + Newton County Schools 15.500 (or Social Circle City Schools 16.890) + city levy. County fire district (0.892) is shown on the unincorporated row only — confirm any city parcel with the Tax Commissioner.
| Where the house sits | County | School | City | Fire | Total mills | Tax on $350,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Newton County No city levy; county fire district applies | 8.567 | 15.500 | — | 0.892 | 24.959 | $3,494 |
| Covington (city limits) County seat; city services | 8.567 | 15.500 | 6.406 | — | 30.473 | $4,266 |
| Oxford (city limits) Emory Oxford corridor | 8.567 | 15.500 | 5.444 | — | 29.511 | $4,132 |
| Porterdale (city limits) Highest city levy in Newton | 8.567 | 15.500 | 13.899 | — | 37.966 | $5,315 |
| Social Circle (Newton side) Social Circle City Schools replace county schools | 8.567 | 16.890 | 7.756 | — | 33.213 | $4,650 |
| Mansfield (city limits) Small city levy | 8.567 | 15.500 | 2.105 | — | 26.172 | $3,664 |
| Newborn (city limits) Small city levy | 8.567 | 15.500 | 0.694 | — | 24.761 | $3,467 |
Before exemptions. Social Circle straddles Newton and Walton — this row is the Newton side with Social Circle City Schools. For the Walton side, see the Walton County deep dive. CID Hwy 278 (5.000) applies only inside that CID.
The 30-second rule for Newton buyers
Multiply the mill difference by $140 for every $350K of price. Porterdale vs. unincorporated is about 13.0 mills — roughly $1,821 a year. Covington vs. unincorporated is about $772 a year. That doesn’t mean “never buy in the city.” It means know what you’re paying for — then decide. Send me the address.
Newton County homestead exemptions
The rate is the rate. Exemptions are where owner-occupants actually win. What Newton offers, per the Tax Assessors:
- Regular homestead: $4,000 off assessed value for state, county and school taxes (except municipal school taxes and bonded indebtedness), per Newton County Tax Assessors / qPublic.
- Age 62–64: may qualify for a $20,000 exemption (income limits). Age 65+: may qualify for a $30,000 exemption (income limits). Disabled and veteran exemptions also available — confirm current dollar amounts with the Assessors.
- HB 581: Newton County government stayed in; Newton County Schools and Social Circle / Oxford opted out for 2025. Confirm with your district or city.
- How to file: Newton County Tax Assessors, by April 1 for the current year (770-784-2030). Own and occupy by January 1. Once approved it renews.
- Due date: beginning 2026 tax year, November 15 (was Dec. 20).
Buying a resale? Don’t budget off the seller’s bill.
A seller with a long-time freeze, senior exemption or HOST credit can show a bill that looks nothing like yours. Pull the current assessed value, run today’s millage, and set escrow on your number. Or send me the address — I’ll do it.
Newton County property tax FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Newton County, GA?
For the 2025 tax year, unincorporated Newton carries 24.959 mills: county M&O 8.567 + Newton County Schools 15.500 + county fire district 0.892 (GA DOR 2025 digest). The county-plus-school base alone is 24.067. Inside a city you typically drop the fire district and add that city’s levy.
How much is property tax on a $350,000 home in Newton County?
Before exemptions: about $3,494 unincorporated. Covington city limits about $4,266, Porterdale about $5,315, Social Circle (Newton side, city schools) about $4,650.
Is property tax cheaper inside or outside city limits in Newton?
Usually outside. Unincorporated sits at 24.959. Covington is 30.473, Oxford 29.511, and Porterdale jumps to 37.966. Social Circle’s Newton side with city schools is 33.213. Trade city services against the mill difference.
Why is Social Circle’s school tax different?
Social Circle runs its own school system. Parcels in that district pay 16.890 instead of Newton County Schools’ 15.500. Same structure on the Walton side of town.
What homestead exemptions does Newton County offer?
Per the Newton County Tax Assessors (qPublic): standard homestead takes $4,000 off assessed value for state, county and school taxes (except municipal school taxes and bonded indebtedness). Age 62–64 may qualify for $20,000 (income limits); age 65+ may qualify for $30,000 (income limits); disabled and veteran exemptions also apply. File with the Tax Assessors by April 1 (770-784-2030). Own and occupy as of January 1.
When are Newton County property taxes due?
Beginning with the 2026 tax year, Newton County real-estate taxes are due November 15 (2026 bills due Nov. 16 per the Tax Commissioner’s deadlines page; county news confirms the shift from the old Dec. 20 date). Bills typically mail late August / early September.
Did Newton County opt out of HB 581?
Newton County government stayed in HB 581’s floating homestead. Newton County Schools and the cities of Social Circle and Oxford opted out for 2025 — confirm current status with your district or city before you count on a statewide cap.
Chris Davis
I’ve helped buyers and sellers across Covington, Oxford, Porterdale, Social Circle and the rest of Newton for over a decade. Send me any address and I’ll tell you exactly which levies hit it — and what the bill really looks like after exemptions.
← Compare Georgia property tax rates by county · Walton · Gwinnett · Barrow · Jackson · Oconee · Rockdale · Athens-Clarke · Henry · Morgan · chris@eastgahomes.com
Sources. Millage: Georgia Department of Revenue, 2025 Georgia County Ad Valorem Tax Digest Millage Rates (PTS-R006-OD, Mar 31, 2026), Newton County lines: County Unincorporated/Incorporated 8.567; School 15.500; Ind School Social Circle 16.890; County Fire District 0.892; Covington 6.406; Oxford 5.444; Porterdale 13.899; Mansfield 2.105; Newborn 0.694; Social Circle 7.756; CID Hwy 278 5.000. Exemptions: Newton County Tax Assessors. Due dates: Newton County Tax Commissioner (Nov. 15 beginning 2026). HB 581: Covington News / Newton County reporting. 40% assessment: O.C.G.A. § 48-5-7. City-scenario math stated on this page is an assumption for illustration — confirm any parcel with the Newton Tax Commissioner / Tax Assessor. Estimates are before exemptions and are not a tax bill.