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Tax bills fairly stable
Average property to cost less this year

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/29/08

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 CHARLES W. JONES / Staff 
Property tax bills will soon be on the way to most Gwinnett homeowners, and thereŐs something to be glad about even in that dismal piece of news. Unless the county reassessed your home this year, your taxes should remain relatively stable. In fact, the average tax bill on a $200,000 home will fall by $2.35, assuming no reassessment, according to an AJC analysis of property tax rates in the county. HereŐs a look at highlights of 2008 tax rates based on a $200,000 owner-occupied home that didnŐt change in value this year. See page J7 for a full chart detailing tax rates in the county.

Even though BufordŐs city tax rate is the highest in the county, it all goes to fund the cityŐs school district. That means its residents donŐt pay the higher county school tax, and as a result enjoy the lowest overall tax bill in the county Ń $1,469.89 this fall, assuming the City Commission follows through with its plan to roll back the tax rate slightly. ThatŐs 36 percent lower than the $2,296.97 average bill for a $200,000 home in the county. 

Loganville residents pay the highest property taxes in the county. The tax rate isnŐt the highest rate charged by a city -Ń that honor goes to Buford. But Buford residents donŐt pay county school taxes because they have their own school system, making their total tax bill lower. Assuming the City Council doesnŐt change the tax rate (and city officials say thereŐs no talk of that yet), the owner of a $200,000 home will pay $2,679.29 in total property taxes, including $558 to the city. That's more than a third higher than the bill charged to homeowners in second-ranked Suwanee.

> Unincorporated Gwinnett County
The tax bill for a home valued at $200,000 in unincorporated Gwinnett County Ń- where most of the population lives Ń- will be $2,121.29. ThatŐs down $7.03 from last year.

SnellvilleŐs 14 percent increase in its property tax rate means $36 more in property taxes for the owner of a $200,000 home that doesnŐt change in value because of reassessment.  

Graphic includes a map of Gwinnett County, locating cities and major roads.

Source: Staff analysis of data provided by Gwinnett County and municipal officals

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