Highlands County, FL property tax
Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates · updated 2026-09-20
The median effective property tax rate in Highlands County is 0.73%, below the Florida median of 0.79% and below the national median of 0.98%. The median homeowner pays $1,295 a year on a home worth $177,900.
- Effective rate
- 0.73%
- Median annual bill
- $1,295
- Median home value
- $177,900
- Rank in Florida
- 36of 67
Median annual bill divided by median home value, Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Estimated annual bill by home value
| Home value | Estimated bill | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $1,460 | $122 |
| $300,000 | $2,190 | $183 |
| $400,000 | $2,920 | $243 |
| $500,000 | $3,650 | $304 |
| $750,000 | $5,475 | $456 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,300 | $608 |
Highlands County millage rates, 2025
For 2025, the county-wide millage in Highlands County is 12.9520 mills: 7.6000 for county government operations and 5.3520 for school board operations, plus the other county-wide levies below. One mill is $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, so $100,000 of taxable value owes $1,295 in county-wide taxes before any city or district levy. In 2024 the county-wide millage was 12.9440.
| Levy | 2025 mills | 2024 mills |
|---|---|---|
| County government operating | 7.6000 | 7.6000 |
| School board operating | 5.3520 | 5.3440 |
| County-wide total | 12.9520 | 12.9440 |
Millage rates by city in Highlands County
| City | City millage 2025 | City millage 2024 | County-wide plus city | Per $100,000 taxable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring | 6.3500 | 6.3184 | 19.3020 | $1,930 |
| Avon Park | 6.0000 | 5.0000 | 18.9520 | $1,895 |
| Lake Placid | 3.6500 | 3.1000 | 16.6020 | $1,660 |
Property tax rates by city in Highlands County
Among the 2 places listed, Sebring city has the highest median effective rate at 0.83% and Avon Park city the lowest at 0.51%, against 0.73% for the county as a whole.
| Place | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring city | 0.83% | $1,461 | $175,000 | 11,185 |
| Avon Park city | 0.51% | $605 | $119,600 | 9,879 |
Highlands County compared with Florida and the US
| Area | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands County | 0.73% | $1,295 | $177,900 |
| Florida median | 0.79% | $2,555 | $325,000 |
| United States median | 0.98% | $2,969 | n/a |
Highlands County compared with neighboring counties
Highlands County borders 7 counties. Ranked from lowest to highest median effective rate, it places 1 of 8, the lowest in its area.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands County | 0.73% | $1,295 | $177,900 |
| Polk County | 0.74% | $1,769 | $240,000 |
| Okeechobee County | 0.75% | $1,349 | $179,000 |
| Osceola County | 0.79% | $2,498 | $317,600 |
| DeSoto County | 0.87% | $1,322 | $151,500 |
| Charlotte County | 0.89% | $2,581 | $291,000 |
| Glades County | 1.01% | $1,163 | $114,800 |
| Hardee County | 1.05% | $1,358 | $129,400 |
Florida statewide: Homestead exemption of up to $50,000: the first $25,000 applies to all levies including schools, and an additional exemption of up to $25,000 applies to assessed value above $50,000 for non-school levies. Apply to the county property appraiser by March 1.
Due dates and payment
Florida statewide: bills mailed November 1; 4% discount in November declining to 0% in March; delinquent April 1. Confirm the local schedule with the Highlands County tax office.
Appealing your assessment
25 days from the mailing of the TRIM notice in August. Bring recent sales of comparable homes, photos of condition issues, and any error in the record such as square footage or lot size. How to appeal, step by step.
How Florida assesses value
Just (market) value set January 1 by the county property appraiser, less exemptions. Full Florida rules, exemptions and deadlines.
Rates and medians: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-year estimates, tables B25103 and B25077. Effective rate is median taxes paid divided by median owner-occupied home value. Places: Census place by county reference file. Florida millage: Florida Department of Revenue, property tax data portal, data book 2025 and 2024. Neighbors: Census county adjacency file. Rules: Florida Department of Revenue, Property Tax Exemptions and Save Our Homes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Highlands County, FL?
The median effective property tax rate in Highlands County is 0.73% of home value, below the Florida median of 0.79% and below the national median of 0.98%. The median homeowner pays $1,295 a year on a median home value of $177,900 (Census ACS 2023 5-year).
How much is property tax on a $400,000 house in Highlands County?
About $2,920 per year at the county's median effective rate of 0.73%, before exemptions. The exact bill depends on the city, school district and special districts that serve the parcel, so treat this as a planning estimate.
When are property taxes due in Highlands County?
Florida statewide: bills mailed November 1; 4% discount in November declining to 0% in March; delinquent April 1. Check the Highlands County tax office for the exact local dates.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in Highlands County?
25 days from the mailing of the TRIM notice in August. Full Florida rules are on the Florida page.
How does Highlands County compare with the rest of Florida?
Highlands County ranks 36 of 67 Florida counties by effective rate. The Florida median is 0.79% and the median bill is $2,555.