ZIP 31602 · Valdosta, GA

Seven governments run on your community's money

This page shows every government that serves ZIP 31602: the state, county, city or town and school district, and where each one's money comes from and goes.

Each government is shown for its own newest fiscal year on file, so the years differ. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, the government's own report or, for Georgia governments, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, as named under Sources and more.

Where do my taxes go in 31602?
31602 is served by the State of Georgia, Lowndes County, Brooks County, Brooks County School District, the City of Valdosta, Valdosta Independent School District and Lowndes County School District. In each one's latest recorded fiscal year, State of Georgia spent $70.7 billion (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Lowndes County spent $179 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Brooks County spent $28.7 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025), Brooks County School District spent $40.1 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), City of Valdosta spent $120 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025), Valdosta Independent School District spent $135 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024) and Lowndes County School District spent $155 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024). Each government's money is separate.

Which governments collect property tax in 31602?
Of the governments serving 31602, State of Georgia collected $863 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Lowndes County collected $49.0 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Lowndes County School District collected $33.7 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Valdosta Independent School District collected $26.7 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), City of Valdosta collected $18.4 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025), Brooks County collected $9.2 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025) and Brooks County School District collected $7.5 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024) in property tax. These are each government's total collections, not a bill for 31602.

See another ZIP code

From the state down to your schools: where each one's money comes from and goes.

See the full budget for: Lowndes County, Brooks County, Valdosta and Brooks County School District

Why not this year? Georgia governments with newer filings show county, city and town figures from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (for 2025). Each other figure is the newest year the U.S. Census Bureau has published for that government, so the years differ and are not the current year. Most governments post their current budget on their own website.

Where property tax goes in 31602

State of Georgia$863 million

1.3% of its $67.2 billion in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Lowndes County$49.0 million

30% of its $166 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Lowndes County School District$33.7 million

19% of its $173 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Valdosta Independent School District$26.7 million

19% of its $137 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

City of Valdosta$18.4 million

17% of its $105 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2025

Brooks County$9.2 million

35% of its $26.4 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2025

Brooks County School District$7.5 million

18% of its $42.2 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

These are each government's total property tax collections, not your bill. Your own bill is split by each government's tax rate, shown on your property tax bill.

Your counties

Lowndes County

$179 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 61% of this ZIP is in Lowndes County.

Where the money comes from

County taxes54%Fees for services (sewer, airport)18%Federal tax money13%Fines and other8.4%Local tax money4.1%State tax money3.0%
Full Lowndes County breakdown

What stands out

22%

of Lowndes County's money comes from sales tax.A typical U.S. county of 50,000 to 250,000 people gets 4.2%.

County taxes54%

Property tax
30%$49.0 million
Sales tax
22%$36.1 million
Other taxes
2.3%$3.8 million
What's in other taxesInsurance premium taxes; other selective sales taxes and 6 more
  • Insurance premium taxes$1.1 million
  • Other selective sales taxes$1.1 million
  • Occupation and business licenses$719 thousand
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$447 thousand
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$200 thousand
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$153 thousand
  • Public utility taxes$119 thousand
  • Other licenses$5 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services18%

Fees for services
18%$30.2 million
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; sewer and 3 more
  • Other service charges$19.3 million
  • Sewer$9.5 million
  • Airport$798 thousand
  • Road charges$617 thousand
  • Water$10 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money13%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
13%$20.9 million

State tax money3.0%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
3.0%$5.0 million

Local tax money4.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From other local governments
4.1%$6.8 million

Fines and other8.4%

Interest, rents and other
8.4%$13.9 million
Lowndes County page →

Where the money goes

Running the government and other costs37%Police, fire, courts and jails22%Sent to other local governments17%Roads, transit and parking8.0%Water, sewer, trash and utilities7.0%All other spending8.4%

What stands out

17%

of Lowndes County's spending goes to local governments.Most U.S. counties of 50,000 to 250,000 people spend nothing on this.

Full Lowndes County breakdown

Spending by category100%

Running the government and other costs
37%$66.8 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
  • Other and not broken out$42.3 million
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$11.5 million
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$7.0 million
  • Government buildings$6.0 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
22%$38.8 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; prisons and jails and 3 more
  • Police$15.9 million
  • Prisons and jails$11.7 million
  • Courts and legal services$9.1 million
  • Inspections and regulation$1.6 million
  • Fire protection$402 thousand
Sent to other local governments
17%$31.1 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out
  • Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$31.1 million
Roads, transit and parking
8.0%$14.3 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and airports
  • Roads and highways$13.2 million
  • Airports$1.1 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
7.0%$12.6 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; electric power and 1 more
  • Sewer systems$12.4 million
  • Electric power$206 thousand
  • Water supply$16 thousand
Parks, recreation and libraries
6.1%$10.8 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$9.6 million
  • Libraries$1.2 million
Health and hospitals
1.4%$2.5 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
  • Public health$2.5 million
Interest on debt
0.7%$1.3 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
  • Interest on general debt$1.3 million
  • Interest on water supply debt$1 thousand
Environment and natural resources
0.1%$217 thousand
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
  • Natural resources, farming and conservation$217 thousand
Lowndes County page →

Brooks County

$28.7 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

About 39% of this ZIP is in Brooks County.

Where the money comes from

County taxes49%State tax money18%Federal tax money9.9%Fines and other9.0%Fees for services8.7%Local tax money5.8%
Full Brooks County breakdown

County taxes49%

Property tax
35%$9.2 million
Sales tax
8.0%$2.1 million
Other taxes
5.9%$1.6 million

Fees for services8.7%

Fees for services
8.7%$2.3 million

Federal tax money9.9%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
9.9%$2.6 million

State tax money18%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
18%$4.7 million

Local tax money5.8%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From other local governments
5.8%$1.5 million

Fines and other9.0%

Interest, rents and other
6.8%$1.8 million
Fines
2.2%$572 thousand
Brooks County page →

Where the money goes

Roads, transit and parking37%Police, fire, courts and jails27%Water, sewer, trash and utilities17%Running the government and other costs14%Sent to other local governments1.8%All other spending3.2%
Full Brooks County breakdown

Spending by category100%

Roads, transit and parking
37%$10.6 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
27%$7.8 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
17%$4.9 million
Running the government and other costs
14%$3.9 million
Sent to other local governments
1.8%$522 thousand
Social services
0.9%$267 thousand
Housing and community development
0.6%$171 thousand
Parks, recreation and libraries
0.6%$168 thousand
Debt payments (principal and interest)
0.4%$126 thousand
Environment and natural resources
0.4%$114 thousand
Health and hospitals
0.3%$76 thousand
Brooks County page →

Your city

City of Valdosta

$120 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

About 31% of this ZIP is in Valdosta.

Where the money comes from

City taxes42%Fees for services32%County and local tax money17%Federal tax money3.5%State tax money3.0%Fines and other2.7%
Full Valdosta breakdown

City taxes42%

Property tax
17%$18.4 million
Other taxes
13%$13.5 million
Sales tax
8.3%$8.8 million
Tourism taxes
3.8%$4.0 million

Fees for services32%

Fees for services
32%$33.2 million

Federal tax money3.5%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
3.5%$3.7 million

State tax money3.0%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
3.0%$3.2 million

County and local tax money17%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
17%$17.9 million

Fines and other2.7%

Interest, rents and other
2.0%$2.1 million
Fines
0.7%$710 thousand
Valdosta page →

Where the money goes

Water, sewer, trash and utilities49%Police, fire, courts and jails23%Roads, transit and parking10%Housing and community development5.7%Debt payments (principal and interest)5.5%All other spending6.7%
Full Valdosta breakdown

Spending by category100%

Water, sewer, trash and utilities
49%$59.0 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
23%$27.7 million
Roads, transit and parking
10%$12.0 million
Housing and community development
5.7%$6.8 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
5.5%$6.6 million
Running the government and other costs
5.1%$6.1 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
1.7%$2.0 million
Valdosta page →

Your schools

Brooks County School District

$40.1 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 39% of this ZIP is in Brooks County School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money69%School district taxes24%County and local tax money3.7%Fees for services (school lunches)2.1%Fines and other1.7%
Full Brooks County School District breakdown

What stands out

5.7%

of Brooks County School District's money comes from sales tax.Most school districts with fewer than 5,000 students get none.

School district taxes24%

Property tax
18%$7.5 million
Sales tax
5.7%$2.4 million

Fees for services2.1%

Fees for services
2.1%$885 thousand
What's in fees for servicesOther school charges and school lunches
  • Other school charges$832 thousand
  • School lunches$53 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money69%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
69%$29.1 million

County and local tax money3.7%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
3.7%$1.6 million

Fines and other1.7%

Interest, rents and other
1.7%$712 thousand
Brooks County School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges99%Interest on debt1.3%
Full Brooks County School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
99%$39.6 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools$39.6 million
Interest on debt
1.3%$527 thousand
Brooks County School District page →

Valdosta Independent School District

$135 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 31% of this ZIP is in Valdosta Independent School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money64%School district taxes30%Fines and other3.0%County and local tax money1.7%Fees for services (school lunches)1.6%Federal tax money<0.1%
Full Valdosta Independent School District breakdown

What stands out

10%

of Valdosta Independent School District's money comes from sales tax.Most school districts with 5,000 to 25,000 students get none.

School district taxes30%

Property tax
19%$26.7 million
Sales tax
10%$14.1 million

Fees for services1.6%

Fees for services
1.6%$2.2 million
What's in fees for servicesOther school charges and school lunches
  • Other school charges$1.8 million
  • School lunches$416 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money<0.1%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
<0.1%$84 thousand

State tax money64%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
64%$87.5 million

County and local tax money1.7%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
1.7%$2.3 million

Fines and other3.0%

Interest, rents and other
3.0%$4.0 million
Valdosta Independent School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges99%Interest on debt1.5%
Full Valdosta Independent School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
99%$133 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools$133 million
Interest on debt
1.5%$2.0 million
Valdosta Independent School District page →

Lowndes County School District

$155 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 30% of this ZIP is in Lowndes County School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money60%School district taxes30%Fines and other3.7%Fees for services (school lunches, school tuition and transportation)3.1%County and local tax money2.6%Federal tax money0.5%
Full Lowndes County School District breakdown

What stands out

11%

of Lowndes County School District's money comes from sales tax.Most school districts with 5,000 to 25,000 students get none.

School district taxes30%

Property tax
19%$33.7 million
Sales tax
11%$18.7 million

Fees for services3.1%

Fees for services
3.1%$5.3 million
What's in fees for servicesOther school charges; school lunches and 1 more
  • Other school charges$4.1 million
  • School lunches$985 thousand
  • School tuition and transportation$210 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money0.5%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
0.5%$814 thousand

State tax money60%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state
60%$103 million

County and local tax money2.6%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
2.6%$4.5 million

Fines and other3.7%

Interest, rents and other
3.7%$6.5 million
Lowndes County School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges99%Interest on debt0.5%

What stands out

99%

of Lowndes County School District's spending goes to schools and colleges.A typical school district with 5,000 to 25,000 students spends 96%.

Full Lowndes County School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
99%$154 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools$154 million
Interest on debt
0.5%$749 thousand
Sent to other local governments
<0.1%$70 thousand
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to school districts
  • Sent to school districts$70 thousand
Lowndes County School District page →

Your state

State of Georgia

$70.7 billion budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

Where the money comes from

State taxes50%Federal tax money38%Fees for services (college tuition, university housing and dining)7.1%Fines and other4.7%Local tax money<0.1%
Full Georgia breakdown

What stands out

24%

of Georgia's money comes from a personal income tax.A typical state government gets 14%.

State taxes50%

Individual income tax
24%$16.0 billion
Sales tax
13%$9.01 billion
Other taxes
6.1%$4.13 billion
What's in other taxesMotor fuel taxes; insurance premium taxes and 11 more
  • Motor fuel taxes$1.76 billion
  • Insurance premium taxes$562 million
  • Other selective sales taxes$535 million
  • Motor vehicle licenses$409 million
  • Tobacco taxes$226 million
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$224 million
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$203 million
  • Occupation and business licenses$85.3 million
  • Corporation licenses$57.2 million
  • Driver's licenses$34.8 million
  • Hunting and fishing licenses$29.0 million
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$5.0 million
  • Other licenses$452 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Business income tax
5.4%$3.61 billion
Property tax
1.3%$863 million

Fees for services7.1%

Fees for services
7.1%$4.77 billion
What's in fees for servicesCollege tuition; university housing and dining and 11 more
  • College tuition$1.85 billion
  • University housing and dining$803 million
  • Ports and waterways$699 million
  • Other service charges$617 million
  • Hospital bills$374 million
  • Parks and recreation$178 million
  • Tolls on roads and bridges$76.6 million
  • Other education charges$72.8 million
  • Parks, land and natural resources$68.1 million
  • Road charges$28.0 million
  • Housing$4.3 million
  • Transit fares$2.0 million
  • Airport$10 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money38%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government
38%$25.6 billion

Local tax money<0.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From local governments
<0.1%$60.4 million

Fines and other4.7%

Interest, rents and other
4.6%$3.10 billion
Fines
<0.1%$57.5 million
Georgia page →

Where the money goes

Social services27%Sent to local governments25%Schools and colleges20%Roads, transit and parking7.8%Running the government and other costs7.0%All other spending14%

What stands out

20%

of Georgia's spending goes to schools and colleges.A typical state government spends 15%.

Full Georgia breakdown

Spending by category100%

Social services
27%$19.1 billion
What's in social servicesOther public welfare; unemployment and social insurance offices and 2 more
  • Other public welfare$19.0 billion
  • Unemployment and social insurance offices$39.6 million
  • Veterans' services$24.3 million
  • Welfare institutions$23.4 million
Sent to local governments
25%$17.9 billion
What's in sent to local governmentsSent to school districts; sent to local governments: finance, tax collection and budgeting and 17 more
  • Sent to school districts$14.3 billion
  • Sent to local governments: finance, tax collection and budgeting$850 million
  • Sent to local governments: public health$708 million
  • Sent to local governments: other public welfare$603 million
  • Sent to local governments: roads and highways$523 million
  • Sent to local governments: hospitals$271 million
  • Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$243 million
  • Sent to local governments: airports$71.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: housing and community development$56.3 million
  • Sent to local governments: police$52.0 million
  • Sent to local governments: libraries$47.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: courts and legal services$40.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: probation, parole and other corrections$36.8 million
  • Sent to local governments: natural resources, farming and conservation$26.2 million
  • Sent to local governments: inspections and regulation$3.5 million
  • Sent to local governments: other education$2.5 million
  • Sent to local governments: other government administration$599 thousand
  • Sent to local governments: central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$449 thousand
  • Sent to local governments: prisons and jails$114 thousand
Schools and colleges
20%$13.8 billion
What's in schools and collegesColleges and universities; other education and 2 more
  • Colleges and universities$7.45 billion
  • Other education$3.70 billion
  • Scholarships and other education subsidies$1.73 billion
  • College housing, dining and bookstores$966 million
Roads, transit and parking
7.8%$5.51 billion
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; ports and harbors and 3 more
  • Roads and highways$4.54 billion
  • Ports and harbors$862 million
  • Public transit$53.0 million
  • Toll roads and bridges$50.4 million
  • Airports$6.2 million
Running the government and other costs
7.0%$4.93 billion
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 3 more
  • Other and not broken out$3.00 billion
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$1.03 billion
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$761 million
  • Government buildings$88.7 million
  • Other government administration$47.7 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
6.0%$4.27 billion
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; inspections and regulation and 3 more
  • Prisons and jails$1.49 billion
  • Inspections and regulation$954 million
  • Police$672 million
  • Probation, parole and other corrections$575 million
  • Courts and legal services$575 million
Health and hospitals
4.2%$2.96 billion
What's in health and hospitalsHospitals and public health
  • Hospitals$1.53 billion
  • Public health$1.43 billion
Environment and natural resources
1.1%$766 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
  • Natural resources, farming and conservation$766 million
Interest on debt
0.9%$631 million
Housing and community development
0.8%$595 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
0.4%$307 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$290 million
  • Libraries$16.8 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
<0.1%$26.4 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste and sewer systems
  • Garbage and solid waste$17.1 million
  • Sewer systems$9.3 million
Georgia page →
Sources and moreEach government's source, fiscal year and how a ZIP is matched

State of Georgia. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Lowndes County. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Brooks County. Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Report of Local Government Finances, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments, Finance, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Brooks County School District. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

City of Valdosta. Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Report of Local Government Finances, fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Valdosta Independent School District. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Lowndes County School District. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

How these figures are counted. Georgia county, city and town figures come from the annual Report of Local Government Finances that each government files with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, covering all funds, for the fiscal year each government reports (its year end can be in June, September or December). Some reports are filed before the audit is done, and the state asks governments to use audited figures when they have them. Construction spending inside water, sewer and similar utility funds is not part of the report, so a place with a big utility project can read low. Transfers between funds and borrowing are not counted. School districts stay on the Census figures.

How a ZIP is matched. A ZIP code is not a government boundary, so we match it to the cities, counties and school districts that overlap it, using Census Bureau geography. Where a ZIP crosses several, each one is shown with its share of the ZIP. Each government's money covers its own operations only; the others listed here are separate.

Latest recorded year. The year differs by government: each block shows the newest fiscal year on file. A Census survey year covers fiscal years ending July 1 of the year before through June 30 of that year.