Census data on state taxes reveals two things about Alabama: The state taxes alcohol at a high rate, and residents still drink plenty of it.

Alabama ranked third in the nation for taxes collected per person on alcoholic beverage sales in fiscal year 2021, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And the state ranked inside the top 10 for total tax dollars collected from alcohol sales.

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According to the data, Alabama collected more than $272 million in taxes from alcohol sales in 2021, or roughly $54 per person. That was the third highest mark in the nation on a per person basis behind only Alaska (No. 2) and Washington (No. 1).

Alabama’s $272 million in total collections ranked No. 9 in that nation, ahead of several much larger states. For reference, Alabama is the 24th largest state in the nation. Alabama collected more money from alcohol sales than neighboring Georgia, which is home to twice as many people. And Alabama collected more than other neighbors Tennessee and Mississippi combined.

Alabama ranked highly on the list in part because it taxes alcohol at a relatively high rate. According to Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., based think tank on taxes in America, Alabama taxes both beer and liquor at relatively high rates. The state collected 53 cents for every gallon of beer sold in 2021, according to the foundation. That ranked 8th highest in the country. And taxes on spirits were even higher - Alabama collected $19.11 for every gallon of liquor sold in 2021, ranking fourth in the nation.

Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.

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