May 15, 2007
New Census data released by state for fiscal year 2005 shows which states saw the biggest increase in property tax collections during the real estate boom from 2000 through 2005. The table below presents the top 10 states in terms of change in property taxes per capita (at all levels of government within a state) from 2000 to 2005. For the full table, click here.
Wyoming and Kansas top the list, followed by Texas which has since overhauled its property tax system. Other states are in the process of reform, some of which we have previously commented on here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Nationwide, property taxes increased by nearly 28 percent over the five-year period. Adjusted for inflation (CPI-U), that amounts to about a 12.7 percent increase in real property tax burdens, an average of about a 2.5 percent real increase each year.
| State | 2000 Per Capita | 2005 Per Capita Property Tax | Percent Change | Rank |
| Wyoming | $1,177 | $1,751 | 48.7% | 1 |
| Kansas | $917 | $1,125 | 22.6% | 2 |
| Texas | $1,078 | $1,320 | 22.5% | 3 |
| Louisiana | $442 | $539 | 21.9% | 4 |
| Michigan | $1,084 | $1,279 | 18.0% | 5 |
| Nevada | $816 | $962 | 17.9% | 6 |
| Massachusetts | $1,365 | $1,607 | 17.7% | 7 |
| Indiana | $1,036 | $1,219 | 17.7% | 8 |
| New York | $1,506 | $1,768 | 17.4% | 9 |
| Missouri | $690 | $810 | 17.3% | 10 |