Author
Evan Brooks
Data Editor
Data editor for the ByCounty Network, responsible for methodology documentation, source review, and editorial QA on county-level reports built from public datasets.
Evan Brooks is the editorial byline for ByCounty Network data review, methodology maintenance, and source attribution across the network.
The role is the data-editor role, not the subject-matter-expert role. ByCounty designs data pipelines that pull each dataset, documents the methodology behind every composite score and ranking, spot-checks generated narratives against the underlying statistics before publication, and records methodology changes. The sites are transparent data utilities, not professional advisory services.
When a feature genuinely requires domain expertise — a public-health analyst weighing in on CDC measure choice, a CPA reviewing a property-tax explainer — ByCounty uses a named co-byline reviewer rather than presenting the data editor as a domain-credentialed professional. The reviewer commitment for each site is documented on that site's editorial-standards page, including the recruit status when no domain reviewer is currently in place.
Every statistic on the site is traceable to a primary source, every methodology decision is documented, and every page lists a "Last reviewed" date where editorial review applies.
Coverage areas
- Census ACS ZCTA-level property-tax tables
- ZIP-vs-county tax-variance methodology
- ZCTA-to-USPS-ZIP attribution
- sub-county property-tax data analysis
Articles by Evan on Property Tax By ZIP
Understanding Property Tax Rates by ZIP Code: Why Rates Vary and What It Means for Homeowners
Property tax rates vary dramatically by ZIP code — even within the same county. Learn what drives these differences, how rates are calculated, and what homebuyers should know before choosing a neighborhood.
How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Think your property tax assessment is too high? Learn when and how to file a property tax appeal, what evidence you need, and tips for a successful outcome.
Property Tax Exemptions: What Homeowners Should Know
A comprehensive guide to property tax exemptions — homestead, senior, veteran, disability, and more. Learn what exemptions are available, who qualifies, and how to apply.
How School Districts Drive Property Tax Differences Between ZIP Codes
School taxes account for 40–60% of most property tax bills — making school district boundaries the single biggest driver of ZIP-to-ZIP tax variation. Learn how district mill rates work, why high-rate districts are not always the best-funded, and what homebuyers should investigate before choosing a neighborhood.
Highest and Lowest Property Tax ZIP Codes in America
A data-driven look at the extremes of US property taxation — from New Jersey ZIP codes paying over $15,000 per year to rural Southern ZIPs paying under $300. Learn the regional patterns, why coastal metros dominate both the highest-rate and highest-dollar lists, and what it means for homebuyers and investors.
Property Taxes and Home Affordability: What ZIP-Level Data Reveals
Property taxes are often the overlooked component of the true cost of homeownership. ZIP-level tax data reveals dramatic differences in affordability that county-level averages miss entirely. Learn how taxes affect your mortgage qualification, monthly payment, and rent-vs.-buy math.
Moving? How to Compare Property Taxes Between Neighborhoods
Property taxes can add hundreds of dollars per month to your housing cost — but most homebuyers underestimate them. This practical guide shows you how to compare taxes across neighborhoods, avoid the "tax shock" of moving to a high-rate area, and factor taxes into every affordability decision.
State-by-State Guide to Property Tax Exemptions and Relief Programs
Every state offers property tax relief programs — but the details vary enormously. This state-by-state guide covers homestead exemption specifics, senior freeze programs, veteran exemption highlights, circuit breaker credits, and how to find programs you may be missing.
Complete Guide to Texas Property Taxes: Rates, Exemptions, and How to Appeal
Texas has no income tax, so property taxes carry the full load of local government. Learn how TX appraisal districts work, the $100k homestead exemption, the 10% cap, school district rates, and how to protest your value.
Complete Guide to California Property Taxes: Prop 13, Assessed Value, and What Homebuyers Need to Know
California's Prop 13 locks assessed value at purchase price and caps annual increases at 2%. Learn how this works, what Prop 19 changed for transfers, what supplemental bills are, and why new buyers pay far more than longtime neighbors.
Complete Guide to Florida Property Taxes: Save Our Homes, Homestead Exemption, and Portability
Florida has no state income tax and funds local government through property taxes. Learn how the homestead exemption works, how the Save Our Homes cap limits your annual increase, and how portability lets you take your savings to a new home.
Complete Guide to New York Property Taxes: STAR Program, Local Rates, and Why NY Bills Are So High
New York has some of the highest property tax rates in the nation — especially upstate. Learn how the STAR program works, why NYC and upstate differ so dramatically, how the grievance process works, and what drives New York's famously complex tax bills.
Complete Guide to Illinois Property Taxes: Assessment Ratios, Cook County, and Why IL Rates Are Among the Nation's Highest
Illinois has the second-highest effective property tax rates in the nation. Learn how the one-third assessment rule works, why Cook County uses different class ratios, how to appeal in Illinois, and which exemptions can reduce your bill.
How to Read a Property Tax Bill: A Line-by-Line Guide
Confused by your property tax bill? This line-by-line guide explains the difference between market value, assessed value, and taxable value — and how to verify your bill is correct before you pay it.
What Is a Mill Rate? How Millage Rates Determine Your Property Tax Bill
A mill rate (millage rate) is how local governments express property tax rates. Learn what one mill means, how to calculate your tax from the mill rate, who sets the rate, and why rates vary so dramatically between jurisdictions.
Property Tax vs Real Estate Tax: What's the Difference?
In everyday use, "property tax" and "real estate tax" mean the same thing. But technically, property tax can include taxes on personal property like cars and boats. Here's what each term means and why it matters for homeowners.
How Assessed Value Differs From Market Value (And Why Your Tax Bill Doesn't Match Zillow)
Your assessed value is what your county uses to calculate your tax bill. Your market value is what your home would sell for today. They are often different — and understanding why can help you spot errors and lower your taxes.
The 10 Highest Property Tax ZIP Codes in America (2024 Data)
The highest property tax ZIP codes in the US are concentrated in New Jersey, New York, and the Chicago suburbs. Learn which areas top the list, what drives their extreme rates, and what high-tax ZIP codes have in common.
How to Lower Your Property Tax Bill: 7 Proven Strategies That Actually Work
Most homeowners who challenge their property taxes win some reduction. Here are 7 proven strategies — from appealing your assessment to finding exemptions you never claimed — that can lower your annual tax bill.