Recent sales tax data from the Texas Comptroller’s Office reveals significant variances in revenue collections across Orange County and its cities. While some local entities have seen an increase in sales tax revenues for June compared to last year, the City of Orange continues to experience a notable decline.
For the first eight months of the year, Orange’s sales tax collections have dropped nearly 24 percent compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the city collected $655,490, a decrease of 41 percent from the $1.11 million collected in June 2023.
Orange County, which has a 0.5 percent sales tax, also saw a decrease in monthly collections for June, receiving $733,264, down 19.33 percent from $911,544 in June 2023. However, year-to-date figures remain positive for the county, with $5.77 million collected, a 5.85 percent increase over the $5.45 million collected in the same period last year.
Despite these challenges, other local entities reported mixed but largely positive results:
- Bridge City collected $215,600 in June, marking a 2.3 percent increase from $210,742 in June 2023. Year-to-date collections are up 9.72 percent, totaling $1.65 million compared to $1.5 million last year.
- Pinehurst experienced steady growth, reporting $58,628 in June, a 3.87 percent increase from $56,444 in June 2023. Year-to-date, Pinehurst has seen an 8.47 percent increase, with collections reaching $479,200 compared to $441,757 last year.
- Vidor saw a slight decline in monthly sales tax collections, with $371,071 in June, a 2.84 percent decrease from the $389,918 collected in June 2023. Nevertheless, year-to-date collections have risen by 3.61 percent, totaling $2.56 million compared to $2.475 million last year.
- West Orange reported a 3.43 percent increase in June collections, receiving $151,566 compared to $147,506 last year. Year-to-date, the city’s revenue is up 9.14 percent, reaching $1.08 million, compared to $993,443 in 2023.
- Little Cypress Fire and Rescue Department (Orange County Emergency Services District No. 3), the only special district with a sales tax, collected $34,888 in June. The district’s year-to-date total is $220,999, reflecting a 7.88 percent increase from the $204,844 collected in the same period last year.
These figures underscore the dynamic nature of local sales tax revenues across Orange County. As the City of Orange navigates its revenue shortfalls, neighboring communities continue to show resilience and growth.
