Polk County ranks in the bottom quarter of tax rates throughout North Carolina for fiscal year 2012-2013.

Polk’s tax rate of 52 cents per $100 of valuation is almost half of Scotland County’s $1.03 tax rate, which is the highest in the state.

The N.C. Association of County Commissioners recently released the rankings following statewide counties adopting new budgets, which began July 1.

Polk County’s tax rate is ranked 78 out of 100 counties from high to low tax rates, or the 27th lowest tax rate in the state. Polk ties with Madison (26th), Cherokee (25th), Burke (24th) and Alamance (23rd) Counties, which also have tax rates of 52 cents.

“I am very pleased to be in the bottom fourth in the state on county tax rate,” said Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson. “Our current tax rate is adequate to meet our needs and I don’t see a tax increase needed in the near future.”

The lowest tax rate in the state is Macon County, with a tax rate of 27.9 cents per $100 of valuation.
Most surrounding counties have higher tax rates than Polk except Henderson County, which is ranked just below Polk at 22nd with a tax rate of 51.36 cents per $100 of valuation.