What does the General Coefficient of Deviation measure?

The General Coefficient of Deviation is a statistical measure used to assess the variability or dispersion of assessment-sales ratios across all sampled properties. It quantifies how much the ratios deviate from the mean ratio, thereby providing insight into the consistency or uniformity of property assessments relative to actual sales prices. A lower coefficient indicates a more uniform assessment process, while a higher coefficient suggests greater variability and potentially unfair assessments.

Focusing on the other choices, the concept of assessment-to-sales ratio variation across different property classes pertains to the uniformity and equity of assessments within classifications, which is more specific than what the General Coefficient of Deviation measures. Similarly, analyzing uniformity within specific zoning areas pertains to localized assessments rather than the broader assessment-sales ratio variations across all sampled properties. Lastly, comparing tax rates among municipalities does not relate to assessment-sales ratios or their variation at all, as it addresses a different aspect of taxation rather than the uniformity of assessments.