Overview of South Dakota Taxes
Across South Dakota, the average effective property tax rate is 1.08%. This surpasses both the national average of 0.99% and the average in North Dakota, which is 0.94%.
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To calculate the exact amount of property tax you will owe requires your property's assessed value and the property tax rates based on your property's address. Please note that we can only estimate your property tax based on median property taxes in your area. There are typically multiple rates in a given area, because your state, county, local schools and emergency responders each receive funding partly through these taxes. In our calculator, we take your home value and multiply that by your county's effective property tax rate. This is equal to the median property tax paid as a percentage of the median home value in your county.
South Dakota Property Taxes
The state of South Dakota has a relatively simple property tax system. Tax rates, set by local government bodies such as municipalities and school districts, are applied to the full market value of residential property. Across the state, the average effective property tax rate is 1.08%. Homeowners living in a primary residence in South Dakota are eligible for a tax rate reduction.
If you are interested in purchasing a property in South Dakota or want to refinance one, have a look at our mortgage guide for information on rates and getting a mortgage in the Mount Rushmore State.
A financial advisor can help you understand how homeownership fits into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
How Property Taxes Work in South Dakota
Property taxes in South Dakota can be levied by any of the following tax authorities: school districts, cities, townships, counties, water districts and additional special districts for specific purposes such as fire protection or sanitary systems. Taxes are based on a home’s true market value, which is determined annually by the county director of equalization in each county.
Homeowners who believe their assessment is too high (higher than they could get by actually selling their home) have the right to appeal the valuation. Appeals should be mailed to the local board of equalization by mid-March. The local board will hold a hearing and inform you of their decision by the end of the month.
If you disagree with that finding, you can make further appeals with the county board, then the Office of Hearing Examiners and finally the circuit court.
South Dakota Property Tax Rates
The tax rate on a home in South Dakota is equal to the total of all the rates for tax districts in which that home lies, including school districts, municipalities and counties.
An owner-occupied residence, which is a property that the owner lives in, is eligible for a lower tax rate than other types of property. New homeowners only need to apply once for the owner-occupied classification. If you have already received the classification, you will continue to receive the property tax reduction, as long as you still own and live in the home. The owner-occupied classification reduces school district property taxes for homeowners.
South Dakota’s tax rates are expressed as mills, which are equal to one-tenth of a percent. In other words, one mill is equal to $1 of taxes for every $1,000 in home value. However, because tax rates may vary widely from one area to the next, it is also useful to consider property taxes in terms of effective property tax rate. This rate provides an easy way to compare property taxes by looking at what homeowners pay in tax as a percentage of their home value.
The table below shows average effective rates for every county that has available data in South Dakota, as well as their median home values and median annual property tax payments.
Looking to calculate your potential monthly mortgage payment? Check out our mortgage calculator.
Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County is the largest county in South Dakota, with a population of almost 200,000. It also contains the state’s largest city, Sioux Falls. The county’s average effective tax rate is 1.40%, somewhat higher than the South Dakota average. Mill rates in the county vary depending on where you live.
Pennington County
Pennington County stretches from the Wyoming border west to Badlands National Park. It contains Rapid City, the second-largest city in South Dakota. The county’s average effective property tax rate is 1.35%. The typical homeowner here pays $2,661 in property taxes each year.
Lincoln County
This eastern South Dakota county has the highest property taxes in the state. The median annual property taxes paid by homeowners in Lincoln County is $3,557. A major reason for the high tax payments here is that Lincoln County also has the highest median home value in the state of $240,200. The county’s average effective property tax rate is 1.48%.
Brown County
Brown County is situated along the state border with North Dakota. The county’s largest city is Aberdeen. Property tax rates in the county are near the state average, as the average effective rate in Brown County is 1.34%.
Brookings County
The average property tax rate in Brookings County is 1.30%, a bit above the state average. Taxpayers in Brookings County have a median annual property tax bill of $2,427. This is one of the highest figures of any county in the state.
