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Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024

South Dakota Property Taxes

The average South Dakota homeowner pays $1,852 a year at an effective rate of 1.03%, 7% below the U.S. median. Compare 66 counties below.

$1,852
Avg median tax
1.03%
Effective rate
#18 of 51
U.S. rank (burden)
66
Counties

The verdict

The average South Dakota homeowner pays $1,852 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.03%, the #18 highest burden of 51 U.S. states.

$1,852
Average median tax, 2024
1.03%
Statewide effective rate
#18 of 51
U.S. states by tax burden
66
counties measured

Effective rate is the median property tax bill divided by the median home value ($181,021). U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024.

The average median property tax in South Dakota is $1,852/year, which is 7% below the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 1.03% on a median home value of $181,021. Taxes range from $199 in Oglala Lakota County to $3,990 in Lincoln County.

What This Data Tells Us About South Dakota

Across 66 counties in South Dakota, the average median property tax is $1,852 per year, 7% below the national median of $1,993. The statewide effective rate of 1.03% on a median home value of $181,021 reflects how South Dakota's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level.

Within South Dakota, median annual tax ranges from $199 in Oglala Lakota County (effective rate 0.38%) to $3,990 in Lincoln County (effective rate 1.15%). Median home values in South Dakota ($181,021) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau, individual bills can differ based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.

State Average vs National Average

Median Annual Tax
$1,852
-7% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$181,021
-21% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
1.03%
+12% vs US avg

How South Dakota compares

Average effective property tax rate vs the national average, ACS 2024.

South Dakota 1.03%
U.S. average 0.92%

South Dakota has a higher effective property tax rate than 66% of U.S. states, ranking #18 of 51 for property tax burden.

Tax Affordability Score

6.3
Affordable

Based on the average effective tax rate of 1.03% compared to the national average of 0.92%. South Dakota has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.

Very Expensive Very Affordable

All Counties in South Dakota (66)

County (by tax bill) Median taxEff. rateHome valuePopulation
Lincoln County $3,990 1.15% $348,300 70,638
Union County $3,317 1.10% $301,100 17,081
Minnehaha County $3,281 1.14% $287,600 203,289
Pennington County $3,265 1.08% $302,200 113,512
Meade County $3,129 1.01% $310,900 30,546
Brookings County $2,981 1.13% $264,600 35,353
Clay County $2,937 1.26% $232,300 15,219
Custer County $2,879 0.77% $372,100 8,892
Lawrence County $2,744 0.79% $346,500 27,233
Stanley County $2,679 1.32% $203,500 3,015
Hughes County $2,659 1.10% $242,000 17,664
Brown County $2,598 1.18% $221,100 37,877
Lake County $2,546 1.03% $247,600 10,972
Davison County $2,526 1.23% $205,800 19,952
Moody County $2,500 1.10% $226,500 6,397
McCook County $2,444 1.06% $230,100 5,751
Yankton County $2,388 1.06% $225,900 23,414
Hamlin County $2,313 1.11% $208,600 6,373
Codington County $2,308 0.97% $237,700 28,767
Butte County $2,265 0.93% $244,600 10,676
Turner County $2,181 0.98% $222,900 8,882
Brule County $2,071 0.96% $216,800 5,283
Hanson County $1,979 1.04% $191,200 3,472
Fall River County $1,940 1.00% $193,200 7,258
Beadle County $1,900 1.09% $175,100 19,309
Charles Mix County $1,878 1.10% $170,600 9,281
Hutchinson County $1,867 1.15% $163,000 7,404
Harding County $1,863 1.12% $166,100 1,148
Walworth County $1,792 1.31% $136,600 5,271
Hyde County $1,743 0.96% $181,600 1,191
Potter County $1,717 1.42% $121,300 2,388
Sully County $1,715 0.83% $205,400 1,526
Bon Homme County $1,707 1.27% $134,100 7,044
Kingsbury County $1,704 1.01% $169,500 5,244
Deuel County $1,694 0.82% $205,900 4,328
Day County $1,693 0.98% $173,600 5,437
Douglas County $1,653 0.99% $166,900 2,828
Sanborn County $1,586 1.17% $135,600 2,384
Spink County $1,584 1.28% $123,300 6,219
Aurora County $1,574 1.04% $151,900 2,642
Grant County $1,557 0.91% $171,000 7,563
Bennett County $1,535 0.98% $156,400 3,345
Lyman County $1,506 0.91% $165,800 3,724
Roberts County $1,492 0.97% $154,500 10,221
Haakon County $1,489 0.91% $164,200 1,722
Perkins County $1,478 1.29% $114,600 3,001
Gregory County $1,428 1.02% $139,900 4,016
Hand County $1,413 0.89% $159,300 3,140
Clark County $1,389 0.88% $158,400 3,917
Campbell County $1,368 1.18% $115,900 1,593
Marshall County $1,359 0.87% $156,500 4,344
McPherson County $1,323 1.55% $85,600 2,145
Edmunds County $1,313 0.80% $163,300 4,048
Jones County $1,313 0.94% $139,600 1,004
Miner County $1,306 0.92% $142,600 2,300
Jerauld County $1,265 0.84% $150,800 1,772
Tripp County $1,262 0.95% $132,900 5,611
Dewey County $1,050 1.51% $69,600 5,205
Corson County $1,009 1.45% $69,800 3,806
Todd County $975 1.81% $53,900 9,244
Faulk County $916 0.62% $147,500 2,126
Mellette County $825 0.98% $84,100 1,943
Jackson County $760 0.65% $117,300 2,802
Ziebach County $613 0.62% $99,600 2,377
Buffalo County $473 0.40% $117,800 1,808
Oglala Lakota County $199 0.38% $52,900 13,491

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax in South Dakota?
The average median property tax paid in South Dakota is $1,852 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 1.03%.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average?
South Dakota property taxes are 7% below the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,852 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
Which county in South Dakota has the lowest property taxes?
Oglala Lakota County has the lowest median property tax in South Dakota at $199 per year with an effective rate of 0.38%. The highest is Lincoln County at $3,990.
How are property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
What is the median home value in South Dakota?
The median home value across South Dakota is $181,021, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
Can I appeal my property taxes in South Dakota?
Yes. Every South Dakota homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.

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Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey). See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainPropertyTax Editorial