Property Taxes in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Median Saint Helena Island, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.99%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.66%.
Median Saint Helena Island, South Carolina home value: $237,000
Median annual Saint Helena Island, South Carolina tax bill: $1,311, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Beaufort calculated?
Property taxes in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Saint Helena Island's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Saint Helena Island, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Saint Helena Island Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Saint Helena Island property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Saint Helena Island's median effective tax rate of 0.99% — based on actual property records in Beaufort County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Saint Helena Island's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Saint Helena Island: rates are 1311.00 in 29920, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Saint Helena Island.
About Saint Helena Island Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Saint Helena Island, Beaufort, South Carolina
Saint Helena Island's median effective property tax rate of 0.99% is lower than the South Carolina state median of 0.66% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Beaufort County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Saint Helena Island. Homeowners in the 29920 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.99%, while those in 29920 pay 0.99%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Beaufort County. Understanding which part of Saint Helena Island you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Saint Helena Island homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the January 15, 2027 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Saint Helena Island's effective property tax rate to other cities in South Carolina and the median property tax rates in South Carolina and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.35%
0.85%
1.36%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Saint Helena Island Tax Rate
0.99%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Beaufort County Tax Rate
0.60%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29920 | 0.32% | 0.44% | 0.99% | 1.30% | 1.57% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Beaufort County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Beaufort County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For Saint Helena Island, the median home price is $237,000, and the median property tax bill is $1,311, compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and national median property tax bill of $2,400. The highest median home price is in 29920 at $237,000.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$43,500
$978,375
$1,913,250
Median Saint Helena Island Market Value
$237,000
Median Beaufort County Market Value
$434,300
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29920 | $10,500 | $33,800 | $237,000 | $601,900 | $957,200 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
Property tax bills in Saint Helena Island are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by Beaufort County and other taxing authorities. For a home with a median home price of $237,000, the bill is calculated by applying the tax rate to the assessed value, which means higher-valued homes generally face larger bills.
What homeowners pay can vary widely. The 25th percentile tax bill is $284, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $4,158 and the 90th percentile tax bill is $8,247. That spread shows how location, home value, and local assessments can significantly affect the final amount due.
The median tax bill in ZIP code 29920 is $1,311, which is below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. For homeowners, that means property taxes can be a manageable expense for some, while others may see a much larger annual bill depending on how their property is assessed.
Property Tax Bills Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$365
$9,507
$18,648
Median Saint Helena Island Tax Bill
$1,311
Median Beaufort County Tax Bill
$2,445
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Saint Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29920 | $99 | $284 | $1,311 | $4,158 | $8,247 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | November 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Beaufort Tax Assessor | |
| Website | sc-beaufort.publicaccessnow.com |