St. Lucie County homeowners face the highest property tax rate in Florida, according to recent data from Florida TaxWatch. With a millage rate set at 21.79 for 2025, residents owning a home assessed at $300,000 will owe approximately $6,500 in annual property taxes. Despite this high rate, the average property tax payment per adult in St. Lucie County stands at about $2,006.89, which remains below the state average.
Why St. Lucie County Has Florida’s Highest Property Tax Rate
The primary factor behind St. Lucie County’s elevated millage rate is the comparatively low average home value. County Administrator George Landry explained that because the county’s average home value is below the statewide average, officials must set a higher millage rate to generate sufficient revenue.
“The average home value in St. Lucie County is below the state average, so if your average home value across the board is low, you have to charge a higher millage rate to be able to generate the revenue,” Landry clarified.
Residents React to Rising Property Taxes
Local homeowners have expressed growing frustration over the financial strain caused by these property taxes. Resident Nann Poole described the situation as challenging, stating, “I think it’s very high, very high. I don’t know how people do it.”
Similarly, Alberto Vaccaro, who relocated from Palm Beach County, expressed surprise at the unexpectedly high property tax rates. “We moved up here from the Jupiter area, thinking that property taxes were going to be less, and instead we were surprised that they were as high as they were,” Vaccaro said.
Breakdown of Property Tax Allocation
While the millage rate is notably high, St. Lucie County itself only accounts for approximately 36% of the total property tax rate. The remaining portion of taxes collected is distributed among various entities, including:
- Law enforcement agencies
- Local schools
- Water management districts
- Other municipal and county services
Efforts to Ease the Tax Burden
County officials are actively working to alleviate the financial pressure on homeowners. Landry emphasized that the Board of County Commissioners is exploring ways to diversify revenue streams, aiming to reduce reliance on residential property taxes.
“The Board of County Commissioners has put a huge emphasis on trying to diversify the revenue stream to relieve the residential taxpayers,” Landry said.
Residents like Vaccaro remain hopeful, though they stress that additional measures are necessary. “A lot more needs to be done,” he noted.
Comparing St. Lucie County to Statewide Averages
Despite the high millage rate, the average property tax payment in St. Lucie County remains lower than the overall state average. According to Florida TaxWatch, the typical homeowner pays around $2,006.89 annually, highlighting the complex relationship between millage rates and actual tax bills.
For more detailed information on property taxes and assessments in Florida, residents can visit the official Florida Department of Revenue Property Tax Page.
Residents are encouraged to share their experiences and opinions on property tax rates in St. Lucie County in the comments below and to share this article to raise community awareness.
