All Freehold homeowners saw an increase in property taxes in 2012 from the previous year, however, Freehold Township's increase surpassed the state average.

Freehold Borough homeowner taxes on average went up .5 percent, while Freehold Township homeowner taxes on average went up 2.4 percent since the previous year, according to a Star-Ledger analysis.

In 2012, Freehold Borough residents paid $6,031.67 on average in property taxes and Freehold Township residents paid $8,034.87.

Across New Jersey, the average property tax bill was $7,870, an increase of 1.7 percent, or $132 over the year before. 

Property tax bills actually decreased in 117 municipalities, and remained flat in four others. But in places like Aberdeen, they increased 4.8 percent, in Englishtown 5.8 percent, and in Sea Bright 6.9 percent.

The Star-Ledger report noted that property taxes statewide rose 2.4 percent in 2011, the first year Christie’s 2 percent cap was in effect. But the trend of lower increases could be reversed because of Hurricane Sandy, according to the report.

In Manasquan, which suffered some of the worst damage from Sandy, local officials said the cost of rebuilding might drive up tax rates by at least 20 percent, the report said. To top it off, the tax base shrank as properties were washed away, according to the report. Towns are allowed to exceed the 2 percent limit on property tax collections for emergencies such as Sandy.

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