By 1808Delaware
When it comes to property taxes in the Buckeye State, no county hits harder than Delaware County.
Newly released data from Realtor.com and the Tax Foundation confirms what many residents have long suspected: Delaware County now leads the state of Ohio with the highest median property tax bill—an eye-popping $6,896 annually as of 2023. That figure edges even higher in some reports, with estimates nearing $7,016.
It’s a figure that stands in stark contrast to the state median of $2,396, and well above the national median of $2,400. Even nearby counties trail far behind: Franklin County residents pay a median of $4,110, Union County $3,847, and Fairfield County $3,123.
Why so high?
The answer lies largely in home values. Delaware County’s median home price is about $406,400—more than triple the statewide median of $133,400. Though the effective tax rate in the county (1.78%) is slightly below the Ohio average (1.80%), the impact of those higher home prices magnifies the tax bill considerably.
As more families seek the high-performing schools, safe neighborhoods, and new developments that Delaware County is known for, the accompanying tax bills are becoming a serious financial burden.
State ranked 8th in the U.S.
Ohio overall ranks as the eighth highest state in the nation for property tax burden, according to the new report from Realtor.com. Surprisingly, that places the Buckeye State above even New York and California—two states often synonymous with high living costs.
For Delaware County homeowners, the numbers aren’t just statistics. They’re a monthly or semiannual strain on budgets already stretched by inflation and housing market uncertainty.
Push for reform—and repeal
Amid the rising discontent, a grassroots organization known as the Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes has emerged, calling for a dramatic solution: a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes altogether.
The group says that older homeowners are being taxed out of homes they’ve lived in for decades, while younger Ohioans are struggling to afford their first. They hope to collect enough signatures to place the amendment on the May 2026 primary ballot.
A political push-pull
Earlier this year, the Ohio General Assembly passed a package of property tax reforms aimed at relieving pressure on homeowners. However, Governor Mike DeWine vetoed several of the proposals, voicing concern that the cuts would result in damaging reductions to school funding.
In an effort to find common ground, DeWine has assembled a working group to study the issue and develop reform recommendations—though what those changes might look like remains unclear.
A crossroads for Delaware County
As home values remain high and taxes continue to rise, Delaware County residents are facing a moment of reckoning. Will reform arrive in time to ease the pressure? Or will the tax burden continue to climb, further straining household budgets and reshaping the housing market?
One thing is certain: the price of paradise in Delaware County now comes with a very steep tax bill.
