The landscape of property taxes is shifting significantly across 11 counties, with residents bracing for increased rates in 2025. As pandemic-related funds dwindle, counties have been forced to reassess financial strategies, leading to varied tax hikes across the region.
Monroe County is experiencing the most substantial increase, with property taxes rising by 37%. In contrast, eight counties managed to avoid hikes, albeit at the expense of cutting county services and jobs to maintain budgetary constraints.
Effective January 1, the updated property tax rates have brought attention to the disparities in assessment data across counties. These assessments significantly influence the millage rates, which determine the amount of property tax owed.
Counties Facing Over 10% Tax Increases
- Population: 65,458 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $83 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 13 to 16 mills
- Tax Increase: 23%
- Property Tax: $160 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Chairman Mike Sofranko attributes the tax hike to a significant rise in health insurance costs, which grew by 11.5% in 2024. The county is also nearing the end of its COVID-19 aid, impacting its financial stability and credit rating. To manage costs, Carbon County plans to issue a $7 million tax anticipation note (TAN) and has implemented cost-cutting measures, including hiring freezes and increased parking fees.
- Population: 216,123 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $167 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 67.67 to 89.98 mills
- Tax Increase: 33%
- Property Tax: $889.80 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Matt McGloin face criticism over the tax increase, which was implemented to address the county’s financial imbalance. Gaughan noted the county began 2024 with significant unpaid bills. Commissioner Chris Chermak, opposing the hike, proposed a smaller 6.3% increase in an alternative budget plan.
- Population: 166,053 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $147.1 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 3.9773 to 5.4773 mills
- Tax Increase: 37%
- Property Tax: $54.77 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Commissioner David Parker pointed to healthcare, wages, and courthouse expansion as the driving forces behind Monroe’s tax increase. The county had not adjusted its healthcare budget in 12 years and requires competitive wages to retain staff.
- Population: 90,128 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $91.36 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 25 to 30 mills
- Tax Increase: 20%
- Property Tax: $300 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 61,247 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $57.8 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 24.99 to 27.99 mills
- Tax Increase: 12%
- Property Tax: $279.90 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 143,786 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $87.4 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 15.8 to 19.23 mills
- Tax Increase: 22%
- Property Tax: $192.30 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Commissioner Gary Hess cited rising healthcare costs and court-mandated reassessment as reasons for the tax hike. Schuylkill County has not reassessed property values since the late 1970s.
- Population: 38,109 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $34 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 12.83 to 14.83 mills
- Tax Increase: 15.6%
- Property Tax: $148.30 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 40,840 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $44 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 3.32 to 4.07 mills
- Tax Increase: 22.6%
- Property Tax: $40.70 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Counties with Less Significant Increases
Montour County
- Population: 17,860 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $10.8 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 4 to 4.24 mills
- Tax Increase: 6%
- Property Tax: $42.40 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 39,717 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $20.8 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 21.8125 to 23.8125 mills
- Tax Increase: 9%
- Property Tax: $238.13 for every $10,000 in assessed value
The last adjustment occurred in 2016, according to a press release.
- Population: 51,262 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $41.8 million
- Millage Rate: Increased from 3.240 to 3.483 mills
- Tax Increase: 7.5%
- Property Tax: $34.83 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Counties with No Tax Increase
- Population: 59,695 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $71.9 million
- Millage Rate: 10.43 mills
- Property Tax: $104.30 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Commissioner Zackary Gates expressed concerns about future budgetary challenges, advocating for a tax increase to avoid sudden hikes later.
- Population: 37,607 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $34 million
- Millage Rate: 6.7 mills
- Property Tax: $67 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 65,439 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $36.4 million
- Millage Rate: 14.635 mills
- Property Tax: $146.35 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 327,388 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $404.7 million
- Millage Rate: 6.3541 mills
- Property Tax: $63.54 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Mary Roselle noted the strategic use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to stabilize finances.
- Population: 112,724 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $128.7 million
- Millage Rate: 6.5 mills
- Property Tax: $65 for every $10,000 in assessed value
The county’s budget has decreased significantly, with Director Mya Toon emphasizing efficient financial management.
- Population: 5,834 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $7 million
- Millage Rate: 4.8 mills
- Property Tax: $48 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 42,042 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $20.9 million
- Millage Rate: 4.72 mills
- Property Tax: $47.2 for every $10,000 in assessed value
- Population: 25,902 (2023 Census)
- Budget: $18.6 million
- Millage Rate: 25.8486 mills
- Property Tax: $258.48 for every $10,000 in assessed value
Counties like Lackawanna, Northumberland, and Carbon are undergoing reassessment, which will influence future property tax obligations.
