Chester County, South Carolina Property Taxes

What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Chester County?

Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Chester County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.

Below, compare Chester County's effective property tax rate to other counties in South Carolina or the U.S. median of 1.02%.

Chester County's median effective rate stands at 2.61%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Chester County, the highest rate is found in GREAT FALLS at 2.61%, while CATAWBA has the lowest at 1.91%.

These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.

Property tax bills in Chester are calculated from a home’s assessed value, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate and adjusted for any exemptions or special assessments. The assessed value is based on the market value of the property, so changes in home values can directly affect what homeowners owe. With a median home price of $20,100, bills can vary widely across the county, from $162 at the 25th percentile to $1,042 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $2,158.

This means homeowners with higher-valued properties or fewer exemptions may face larger tax bills, while those with lower assessed values may pay less. Chester’s property taxes are also shaped by local budgets and tax rates, so two similar homes can still have different bills depending on where they are located. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, many Chester homeowners pay less, but the bill can still be a meaningful part of annual housing costs.