CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County’s tax assessment climbed by 6.17%, the third highest rise in the last 13 years, according to Board of Supervisors member Bea LaPisto Kirtley.

Albemarle County’s assessor presented the news to the Board of Supervisors Wednesday afternoon that the Calendar Year 2026 assessments are up 6.17% overall from the previous year.

“This is a very desirable place to live, Albemarle County,” LaPisto Kirtley told WINA Morning News on Thursday.

Kirtley said the 6.17% rise “is more in the normal range,” but it is the third highest rise in the 13-year run of rising assessments.

2023 saw the record-high rise of 13.46%, breaking the record of 8.4% the previous year.

In 2024, the assessment increase was 4.07% followed by 5.09% in 2025.

From 2009 to 2013, assessments were down as a result of the real estate market crash that started in 2008.

Broken down across the magisterial districts, the Samuel Miller District with a new Supervisor in Fred Missel has the highest average assessment increase at 9.8%.

That’s followed by Jack Jouett at 8.3%, then Scottsville at 5.8%, White Hall 5.3%, Rio at 4.5%, Town of Scottsville at 4.1%, then Rivanna at 3.6%.

“Now, that does vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, so not everyone is going to experience that,” LaPisto Kirtley said.

“A number of people will experience between zero to 10%.”

Rural properties between 20 and 99.99 acres were up 7.5%, and those 100-acres plus were 7.1.

Urban residential had a more modest increase of 5.4% while other residential properties up to 20 acres are up.

Apartment properties were up 4.6% with commercial properties having the lowest rate increase at 3%.

County Assessor Peter Lynch said assessment notices will be all mailed out by Jan. 23.

The mailing will include an FAQ explaining the assessment process and a “Why This Notice is Important” flyer.

“I want to let people know that if they have a concern, if they have a problem, they need to call the assessor’s office right away and discuss their problem with the assessor.”

She said, “You just have to make sure you get to them sooner or later, don’t wait.”

And if you have an appeal, it has to be received in their office by March 2.

Lynch said, “You’ll need to provide a reason and support for why the assessment is incorrect and allow an interior inspection of the property by staff.”

“Response with results will be in writing, and those results may include a reduction, an increase, or no change to the assessed value.”

Bottom line to property owners is that unless the Board of Supervisors reduces the tax rate, they’ll be receiving higher real estate tax bills again.

Last year, county landowners had a 4-cent real estate tax hike affixed with their higher assessments.

White Supervisor Ann Mallek was asked on WINA Morning News Jan. 15 if she anticipates after last year’s increase whether we might see a zero rate increase this year, “Boy, I would be eager to see that happen because it was crushing for many people last year.”