Burlington County’s average county tax decreased last year and continues to be the lowest in New Jersey, according to the latest New Jersey Department of Community Affairs property tax information.
“Our entire board knows how important it is for us to keep a close watch on our county finances and making sure we use funds efficiently and to the greatest effect,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell. “This property tax data provides substantial evidence that our county is doing exactly that.”
“We’ve managed to reduce the county tax burden while still maintaining our workforce and funding critical services our residents depend on and need,” O’Connell said. “It hasn’t been easy, but we know affordability is a big reason why Burlington County is a place where people and businesses want to be here, so we remain committed to keeping it that way.”
The DCA data shows the county portion of the tax bill for a home assessed at the county average of $239,398 was $1,023 in 2021, a decrease from 2020’s average of $1,026.
Burlington County was one of only three counties where the average county tax decreased and it remained the lowest of all New Jersey counties. The next lowest was Morris County with an average county tax of $1,282. Burlington County also had the lowest average county tax in 2019 and 2020, according to the DCA data.
County taxes made up 14.2 percent of the total tax bill in 2021, a slight drop from the 14.4 percent share in 2020 and 2019. School taxes amounted to 64.8 percent of the tax bill and municipal taxes accounted for 21 percent.
The average total property tax bill in Burlington County last year, which includes county taxes and all school and municipal taxes, was $7,187, an increase of one percent from the $7,116 average in 2020.
Burlington County’s one percent increase in the total average tax bill was the third lowest in the state. Only Gloucester (0.76 percent) and Atlantic (0.87 percent) had smaller increases.
In addition to the DCA data, Moody’s Investors Services has repeatedly pointed to Burlington County’s budgeting, cost controls and “strong financial management” in reports maintaining the county’s stellar credit rating.
O’Connell said the DCA numbers and Moody’s reports reflect the Commissioners’ commitment to fiscal responsibility while still extending assistance residents have needed during the pandemic.
Burlington County was one of the first counties in New Jersey to launch a COVID testing program and recently opened two new testing sites to triple testing capacity. The county has also held vaccination clinics and provided free groceries, rental and mortgage assistance and business aid to those in need.
“Our board has a lot to be proud about. We’ve managed to hold the line on county taxes while still responding to the pandemic and delivering critical services. That’s a remarkable achievement and a credit to our CFO, department leaders and professionals,” O’Connell said. “We’re not declaring victory. Every year brings new and different challenges, but we’re pleased to learn our actions have had tangible results and helped ease our residents’ tax burdens.”
