Chatham's Average Property Tax Bills Increased Last Year

CHATHAM, NJ — New Jersey's property taxes, which are the highest in the nation, continue to rise. And even as state officials have sought to provide financial relief during the COVID crisis, the vast majority of taxpayers will still have to dig deeper into their pockets this year.

The data released this month comes from the state Department of Community Affairs. On average, the state's property taxes rose 1 percent, from $8,953 to $9,112, between 2019 and 2020. It was lower than the 2 percent cap former Gov. Chris Christie put into effect in 2011, according to the analysis.

By contrast, between 2018 and 2019, the average homeowner's tax bill rose from $8,767 to $8,953, an increase of 2.12 percent.

Locally, Chatham Township's property taxes saw a 3.07 percent increase for a $15,563 average. Chatham Borough's average annual tax bill rose 1.46 percent to reach $14,446.

A property owner's taxes are composed of three parts: county, school and municipal. Here's how it broke down locally:

Chatham Borough:

• Total taxes: $44,757,145 (2.119 percent rate)
• Average county share: $2,213 (0.325 percent rate)
• Average school share: $9,209 (1.351 percent rate)
• Average municipal share: $3,024 (0.444 percent rate)

Chatham Township

• Total taxes: $61,726,432 (1.892 percent rate)
• Average county share: $2,421 (0.294 percent rate)
• Average school share: $10,273 (1.249 percent rate)
  
• Average municipal share: $2,870 (0.349 percent rate)

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