This morning, the TaxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. Foundated updated the popular property taxA property tax is primarily levied on immovable property like land and buildings, as well as on tangible personal property that is movable, like vehicles and equipment. Property taxes are the single largest source of state and local revenue in the U.S. and help fund schools, roads, police, and other services. es on owner-occupied housing tables by state and county for 2006. Here is a glimpse of the top 10 counties by two measures: (1) median real estate taxes paid (dollar value) and (2) median real estate taxAn estate tax is imposed on the net value of an individual’s taxable estate, after any exclusions or credits, at the time of death. The tax is paid by the estate itself before assets are distributed to heirs. es as a percentage of median home value. Once again, New Jersey and New York dominate the lists.
Top 10 Counties in Median Real Estate Taxes Paid (high-population counties only), 2006
County |
State | Median Real Estate Taxes Paid |
Hunterdon County | NJ | $7,999 |
Nassau County | NY | $7,706 |
Westchester County | NY | $7,626 |
Somerset County | NJ | $7,318 |
Bergen County | NJ | $7,237 |
Essex County | NJ | $7,148 |
Rockland County | NY | $7,041 |
Morris County | NJ | $6,852 |
Union County | NJ | $6,703 |
Passaic County | NJ | $6,663 |
Note: National median in 2006 was $1,742.
Source: American Community Survey (Census Bureau)
Top 10 Counties in Median Real Estate Taxes as a Percentage of Median Home Value (high-population counties only), 2006
County |
State | Median Real Estate Taxes as a Percentage of Median Home Value |
Wayne County | NY | 2.94% |
Niagara County | NY | 2.91% |
Monroe County | NY | 2.83% |
Erie County | NY | 2.54% |
Fort Bend County | TX | 2.53% |
Chautauqua County | NY | 2.52% |
Onondaga County | NY | 2.50% |
Cayuga County | NY | 2.42% |
Chemung County | NY | 2.41% |
Schenectady County | NY | 2.39% |
Note: National percentage was 0.94%.
Source: American Community Survey (Census Bureau) and Tax Foundation calculations