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Our data

Source

All county and state figures come from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 5-year estimates for 2020-2024. We use table B25103 (median real estate taxes paid by owner-occupied homes, overall and split by mortgage status), B25077 (median home value), B25003 (owner households), B19013 (median household income) and B25064 (median gross rent). County neighbors come from the Census county adjacency file.

The typical rate

We divide the median real estate taxes paid by the median home value. This "ratio of medians" is not the rate printed on any bill. It is a fair way to compare places with very different tax systems, because it starts from what owners actually pay and what their homes are worth, after the exemptions most owners claim.

Limits you should know

  • The ACS is a survey. Each figure has a margin of error, which we show on county pages. Small counties have wider margins.
  • The Census caps the median tax at "$10,000 or more". In the 17 counties where the median hits that cap, the typical rate we show is a floor.
  • For 9 very small counties the Census publishes no median, so we show state figures instead.
  • The 5-year survey blends answers from 2020 through 2024. Recent rate changes or reassessments may not be reflected yet.
  • Connecticut is shown by its nine planning regions, which the Census has used in place of counties since 2022.
  • State income and sales tax facts are checked against state revenue departments for tax year 2026. Sales tax shows the state rate only; local rates add more.

Updates

The Census releases new 5-year estimates each December, and we refresh every page then. State tax facts are checked each January.