FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 15, 2025
CONTACT: Christina Johnson
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released the 2025 How Florida Counties Compare report, which examines Florida’s 67 counties and the myriad of local governments within the state, comparing the revenue and expenditure profiles of counties to give taxpayers an overview of how their local government stacks up against the other counties.
While property taxes get most of the public attention, they are only part of the local government revenue picture. The more than 60 tables, charts, and graphs in this Florida TaxWatch report provide comprehensive information on local tax rates, tax collections, other revenue sources, and city and county expenditures.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “Florida relies heavily on local governments to provide services to its residents, with more than half of all Florida government revenue being raised at the local level, the largest share in the nation. In fact, Florida’s 67 county governments, including Jacksonville’s consolidated government, more than 400 municipal governments, and approximately 1,400 independent special districts spend in excess of $120 billion annually. This Florida TaxWatch report is especially important and relevant as the Governor and Legislature consider significant reforms and likely reductions in local property taxes this session and we are proud to present it as a reference tool for taxpayers, policymakers, elected officials, and members of the media when crafting thoughtful proposals impacting hard working citizens.”
Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp said, “The Florida Department of Government Efficiency is conducting audits of local governments, highlighting rapidly rising spending and potentially wasteful or unnecessary spending. Moreover, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have announced plans to provide significant tax relief through several proposals, some of which may include measures to go before the voters in November 2026. This makes the data contained in this Florida TaxWatch report even more important and will provide legislators with the information needed as they deliberate these critical issues.”
The following are additional findings outlined in FTW’s report relating to property taxes, local option sales taxes, the motor fuel tax, population, and income:
Property Taxes
- Monroe County has the highest per capita property tax levies, totaling $4,873.55 in 2024. Union County’s property tax levies were the lowest at $415.94 that same year. The statewide average was $2,397.57 (Page 5).
- Since 2014, growth in total property tax levies has been the highest in Walton County at 216.1 percent and the lowest in Washington County at 35.3 percent. The statewide average was 108.1 percent (Page 13).
Local Option Sales Taxes/Motor Fuel Tax
- With Florida’s general sales tax rate at six percent, local governments levy additional local option sales taxes ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 percent. Monroe County has the highest per capita local option sales tax revenue, totaling $888.02 in FY 2023-24. Union County’s local option sales tax revenue was the lowest at $48.94, aside from Citrus County, which is the only county without a local option sales tax (Collier County repealed its local option sales tax in FY 2023-24). The statewide average was $209.69 (Page 26).
- In FY 2023-24, per capita local option motor fuel tax revenue was highest in Hamilton County at $242.55 and lowest in Flagler County at $26.34. The statewide average was $47.49 (Page 29).
Population and Income
- Miami-Dade County has the highest population, recorded at 2,814,927 in April 2025. Liberty County’s population was the lowest at 8,140. The statewide total was 23,379,261 (Page 69).
- In 2023, per capita county personal income was highest in Collier County at $134,527 and lowest in Union County at $28,946. The statewide average was $68,703 (Page 73).
- As of August 2025, Miami-Dade County has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent and Sumter County has the highest at 7.6 percent. The statewide average was 4.4 percent (Page 74).
For more information, including detailed breakdowns of city and county revenue and expenditures, please click here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, and the trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 45 years, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it has served since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.
Meet the Author:
