Arlington’s residential real estate assessments rose by 4.9 percent on average for 2015, but some of Arlington’s lowest-income neighborhoods, which can least afford the corresponding rise in property taxes, are experiencing the biggest spikes.
According to the trend map (left) provided by the county’s Department of Finance, the area hit hardest by the assessment rise was the southwestern-most part of the county, from Columbia Pike to the border with Alexandria (area 10).
The average assessment for this area rose 11 percent, from $362,527 to $402,404. Homes in this area were the least valuable on average in the county last year and, despite the $40,000 jump, are the least valuable this year. If the tax rate remains at around one dollar per $100 of assessed value, the owners of houses in this area will pay about $400 more on average this year than last year.
The area with the second-least valuable homes in the county is area 8, which includes the Columbia Heights West, Barcroft and Glencarlyn neighborhoods. The average assessment rose 9 percent in this area, from $388,215 to $423,115, or an average increase of about $350 in property taxes this year over last.
By contrast, the wealthiest area in Arlington — area 3 in the northernmost part of the county — experienced almost no rise in assessments. The average home was valued at $1,011,423 last year and $1,014,566 this year, a 0.3 percent increase.
The full list of changes, with area numbers corresponding to the above map:
- Area 1: $713,202 in 2014; $748,523 in 2015; 5.1 percent increase
- Area 2: $810,380 in 2014; $853,100 in 2015; 5.3 percent increase
- Area 3: $1,011,423 in 2014; $1,014,566 in 2015; 0.3 percent increase
- Area 4: $646,590 in 2014; $683,000 in 2015; 5.6 percent increase
- Area 5: $698,305 in 2014; $710,175 in 2015; 1.7 percent increase
- Area 6: $514,552 in 2014; $551,594 in 2015; 7.2 percent increase
- Area 7: $554,480 in 2014; $598,880 in 2015; 8.0 percent increase
- Area 8: $388,215 in 2014; $423,115 in 2015; 9.0 percent increase
- Area 9: $410,274 in 2014; $438,993 in 2015; 7.0 percent increase
- Area 10: $362,527 in 2014; $402,404 in 2015; 11.0 percent increase
- Area 11: $524,082 in 2014; $553,954 in 2015; 5.7 percent increase