Highlands County, Florida Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Highlands County, Florida
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Highlands County effective property tax rate: 1.01%, slightly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Highlands County home value: $142,723
Median annual Highlands County tax bill: $1,345, $1,055 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Highlands County calculated?

Property taxes in Highlands County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Sebring or another part of Highlands County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Highlands County, Florida Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

1.01%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,442

$1,338

Ownwell’s Highlands County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Highlands County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Highlands County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Highlands County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Highlands County, Florida

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within Florida. Each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, this is the annual process in a nutshell.

Highlands County's effective property tax rate stands at 1.01%, which is slightly below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Comparatively, Okeechobee in Florida has the highest median tax rate in the state at 1.85%, while Avon Park boasts the lowest at 0.96%. This variation illustrates the diverse landscape of property tax rates across the state.

For property owners in Highlands County, understanding these figures can provide valuable insights into how their property taxes compare within the state and nationally. Lower tax rates can mean significant savings over time, making it essential for homeowners to stay informed and possibly seek property tax appeal services to ensure fair assessments.

Property Tax Rates Across Highlands County, Florida

Source: Ownwell

0.87%

1.36%

1.85%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Highlands County Tax Rate

1.01%

Median Effective Florida Tax Rate

1.14%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Highlands County, Florida

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Avon Park	0.46%	0.59%	0.96%	1.59%	1.94%
Lake Placid	0.52%	0.64%	1.01%	1.48%	1.67%
Lorida	0.55%	0.74%	1.37%	1.60%	1.79%
Okeechobee	0.75%	1.05%	1.85%	2.23%	2.46%
Sebring	0.54%	0.68%	1.01%	1.55%	1.97%
Venus	0.46%	0.59%	1.27%	1.49%	1.72%

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Highlands County, Florida

When examining property taxes in Highlands County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Highlands County Property Appraiser estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: In Highlands County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Highlands County. For example, the median tax bill in Highlands County is $1,529, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Lake Placid has the highest median home price at $162,341.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Highlands County, Florida

Source: Ownwell

$43,180

$114,837

$186,494

Median Highlands County Market Value

$142,723

Median Florida Market Value

$276,648

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Highlands County, Florida

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Avon Park	$41,519	$73,990	$122,220	$172,298	$238,318
Lake Placid	$62,337	$109,583	$162,341	$242,951	$362,982
Lorida	$30,140	$57,793	$115,796	$181,756	$248,702
Okeechobee	$22,815	$28,768	$43,180	$69,863	$94,132
Sebring	$52,560	$94,887	$144,850	$203,614	$277,003
Venus	$48,487	$84,736	$128,991	$211,220	$298,541

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Highlands County, Florida

In Highlands County, FL, property tax bills are determined by the assessed value of a home and the applicable tax rate. The assessed value is an estimate of a property's market value, and local tax authorities apply a tax rate to this value to calculate the tax bill. The median home price in Highlands County is $142,723, which is considerably lower than the national median. Consequently, the property tax bills vary significantly across different percentiles. For instance, the tax bill at the 25th percentile is $774, while at the 90th percentile, it rises to $3,204. Homeowners in Lake Placid face the highest median tax bill at $1,529, whereas those in Okeechobee experience the lowest at $674. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Highlands County residents generally pay less. These variations in tax bills can impact homeowners’ financial planning and housing affordability, making it crucial for them to understand how their property taxes are calculated and to explore potential exemptions or appeals.

Property Tax Bills Across Highlands County, Florida

Source: Ownwell

$674

$1,173

$1,672

Median Highlands County Tax Bill

$1,345

Median Florida Tax Bill

$2,953

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Highlands County, Florida

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Avon Park	$394	$664	$1,044	$1,764	$2,548
Lake Placid	$568	$850	$1,529	$2,504	$3,956
Lorida	$376	$598	$1,085	$2,039	$2,988
Okeechobee	$356	$530	$674	$875	$1,281
Sebring	$559	$820	$1,409	$2,199	$3,127
Venus	$393	$709	$1,232	$2,042	$3,075

Source: Ownwell

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