The City of Brookhaven ended Fiscal Year 2021 on June 30, with a total of $6,532,261.33 earned in sales tax revenue, an increase of $638,613.62 (10.8%) over the previous year.

The first month of FY2022 was higher than the previous year’s kickoff, too. The city received $567,158.79 for July compared to $565,664.61 in July 2020. In August, however, sales tax revenue dropped for Brookhaven to $538,120.05 — down nearly $7,000 from July — putting the city $5,403 behind the second-month year-to-date total of August 2020.

Population-wise, Brookhaven’s closest neighbors are Picayune (slightly larger with 11,885 residents) and Cleveland (slightly smaller with 11,199 residents). The Home Seekers Paradise has an official population of 11,674. Picayune brought in about $27,500 less than Brookhaven for August, and Cleveland took in more than $166,000 less than Brookhaven.

Thirty-five cities have larger populations than Brookhaven, but only 23 took in higher sales tax revenues. Flowood had receipts of more than $1.12 million for August, even though it has a smaller population. Flowood is known, however, as a shopping destination.

Ten other cities took in more than $1 million in August — Biloxi, $1.39 million; Gulfport, $2.52 million; Hattiesburg, $2.27 million; Jackson, $2.58 million; Meridian, $1.4 million; Olive Branch, $1.27 million; Pearl, $1.21 million; Ridgeland, $1.34 million; Southaven, $1.56 million; and Tupelo, $2.11 million.

Four cities or towns collected less than $100 each in August, including the unincorporated community of Paulding, which took in $27.60, though its 2020 population is recorded as 744. Gattman (pop. 77) took in $88.95; Eden (pop. 133) received $74.35; and Paden (pop. 104) added $58.18 to its coffers.

Sales tax data is provided by the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Sales tax has a three-month cycle. In Month 1, tax is collected by the retailer. In Month 2, tax is reported and paid to MDOR by the retailer. In Month 3, sales tax  income is paid by MDOR to cities. The report is based upon Month 2. All other data is from U.S. Census Bureau.