As the old saying goes, there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Nothing can be done about the former, and governments run on the latter.
From schools to roads to bridges to public safety services and much more, it ultimately comes from the dollars collected from taxpayers.
Taxes may not be popular, but they are a reality. They are needed to keep counties and municipalities operating. Every budget sets priorities and indicates what a community is willing to invest in its present and future.
Here are the tax rates for Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties and their municipalities, ranked in order from the highest tax rates to the lowest rates.
Pender County
The Pender County tax rate is 73.75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Town of Burgaw
Burgaw’s property
tax rate is 64 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Village of Bald Head Island
Bald Head Island has an island-wise property tax rate of 58.60 cents per $100 of assessed value. Municipal Service District Zone A has a tax rate of 6.88 cents per $100 of assessed value. Municipal Service District Zone B has a tax rate of 4.03 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Atkinson
Atkinson’s property tax rate is 49.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Topsail Beach
Topsail Beach’s property tax rate is 48 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Surf City
Surf City’s property tax rate is 47.50 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Brunswick County
Brunswick County maintains the tax rate of 34.2 cents per $100 of valuation.
City of Wilmington
The city of Wilmington’s property tax rate is 33.15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Town of Shallotte
Shallotte’s property tax rate is 31 cents per $100 of assessed value.
City of Southport
Southport’s property tax rate is 31 cents per $100 of assessed value.
New Hanover County
New Hanover County maintains the tax rate of 30.6 cents per $100 of assessment.
City of Boiling Spring Lakes
Boiling Spring Lakes’ property tax rate is 27 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Navassa
Navassa’s property tax rate is 27 cents per $100 of assessed value.
City of Northwest
Northwest’s property tax rate is 27 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Leland
Leland’s property tax rate is 25 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek’s property tax rate is 25 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Oak Island
Oak Island’s property tax rate is 20 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Kure Beach
The property tax rate for Kure Beach is 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Caswell Beach
Caswell Beach’s property tax rate is 19 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach’s property tax rate is 16 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Belville
Belville’s municipal property tax rate is 15 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Carolina Beach
The property tax rate for Carolina Beach is 14.17 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Holden Beach
Holden Beach’s property tax rate is 14 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Ocean Isle Beach
Ocean Isle Beach’s property tax rate is 13 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Carolina Shores
Carolina Shores’ property tax rate is 10 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Calabash
Calabash’s property tax rate is 9.8 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Watha
Watha’s property tax rate is 8 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Wrightsville Beach
The property tax rate for Wrightsville Beach is 5.31 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Bolivia
Bolivia’s property tax rate is 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of St. James
St. James’ property tax rate is 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Town of Varnamtown
Varnamtown’s property tax rate is 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Who's paying the highest property taxes in the Wilmington area?
