Dorchester County, South Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Dorchester County, South Carolina
Median Dorchester County effective property tax rate: 0.67%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Dorchester County home value: $335,504
Median annual Dorchester County tax bill: $2,309, $91 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Dorchester County calculated?
Property taxes in Dorchester County 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 your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Dorchester County or another part of Dorchester County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Dorchester County, South Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.67%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,248
$2,086
How Does the Dorchester County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Dorchester County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Dorchester County's median effective tax rate of 0.67% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the appraisal district assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone. Dorchester County's median effective tax rate is slightly higher than the South Carolina median tax rate of 0.66% and far below the national median property tax rate of 1.02%.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. Dorchester County's median property tax bill is $2,309, which is $91 lower than the state median and below the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Dorchester County.
Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across Dorchester 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 Dorchester County's effective property tax rate to other counties in South Carolina or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
Dorchester County's median effective rate stands at 0.67%, which is lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Dorchester County, the highest rate is found in Ladson at 0.72%, while Reevesville has the lowest at 0.51%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, special assessment districts assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Dorchester County Tax Rate
0.67%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Run | 0.10% | 0.31% | 0.62% | 1.32% | 1.78% |
| Bowman | 0.19% | 0.29% | 0.51% | 1.32% | 1.95% |
| Branchville | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.61% | 1.15% | 1.57% |
| Charleston | 0.18% | 0.48% | 0.62% | 0.67% | 0.90% |
| Dorchester | 0.19% | 0.34% | 0.55% | 1.07% | 2.07% |
| Harleyville | 0.22% | 0.36% | 0.62% | 1.10% | 2.07% |
| Ladson | 0.32% | 0.49% | 0.72% | 0.99% | 1.78% |
| North Charleston | 0.40% | 0.53% | 0.70% | 0.99% | 1.76% |
| Ravenel | 0.20% | 0.55% | 0.70% | 1.58% | 2.15% |
| Reevesville | 0.17% | 0.30% | 0.51% | 1.06% | 2.02% |
| Ridgeville | 0.19% | 0.40% | 0.57% | 0.78% | 1.74% |
| Saint George | 0.22% | 0.36% | 0.59% | 1.05% | 1.77% |
| Summerville | 0.35% | 0.49% | 0.67% | 0.90% | 1.73% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Dorchester County, 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 Dorchester County assessor 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 Dorchester County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April.
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. The median tax bill in Dorchester County is $2,309, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills vary widely across the county, from $792 in Bowman to $5,139 in Charleston. Charleston also has the highest median home price at $740,032.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$100,268
$420,150
$740,032
Median Dorchester County Market Value
$335,504
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Run | $22,587 | $108,690 | $203,033 | $357,320 | $448,343 |
| Bowman | $31,093 | $49,256 | $100,268 | $265,270 | $393,776 |
| Branchville | $83,632 | $163,358 | $220,868 | $289,128 | $407,181 |
| Charleston | $507,560 | $639,016 | $740,032 | $887,532 | $1,339,792 |
| Dorchester | $60,000 | $133,227 | $240,274 | $337,247 | $471,351 |
| Harleyville | $56,600 | $123,664 | $229,435 | $277,114 | $422,281 |
| Ladson | $240,286 | $267,643 | $311,944 | $367,696 | $428,622 |
| North Charleston | $233,275 | $268,636 | $324,004 | $425,806 | $579,108 |
| Ravenel | $126,976 | $319,620 | $420,138 | $479,007 | $640,166 |
| Reevesville | $43,700 | $96,947 | $189,141 | $258,740 | $417,543 |
| Ridgeville | $84,928 | $195,246 | $321,088 | $443,334 | $591,527 |
| Saint George | $49,308 | $126,545 | $220,008 | $274,936 | $413,750 |
| Summerville | $231,081 | $289,160 | $351,547 | $429,731 | $526,581 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
Property tax bills in Dorchester County are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate applied to that value. When a property’s market value rises, the assessed value can increase as well, which can lead to a higher tax bill. Local governments use this revenue to fund public services, so homeowners’ bills reflect both property value and the tax obligations set in the area.
For many homeowners, the median home price of $335,504 helps explain why tax bills can vary widely from one property to another. In Dorchester County, the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,453, while the 75th percentile is $3,406 and the 90th percentile reaches $5,252. That spread shows how differences in home value and assessment can significantly affect what a homeowner pays each year. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, local bills can feel more or less burdensome depending on the property.
Median Dorchester County Tax Bill
$2,309
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Run | $184 | $395 | $882 | $2,144 | $2,560 |
| Bowman | $148 | $271 | $792 | $1,466 | $2,598 |
| Branchville | $447 | $731 | $1,235 | $2,015 | $2,768 |
| Charleston | $1,788 | $3,442 | $5,139 | $7,474 | $14,032 |
| Dorchester | $279 | $653 | $1,256 | $2,152 | $3,704 |
| Harleyville | $318 | $717 | $1,250 | $2,038 | $3,416 |
| Ladson | $864 | $1,420 | $2,375 | $3,449 | $5,129 |
| North Charleston | $1,062 | $1,493 | $2,472 | $4,028 | $5,767 |
| Ravenel | $630 | $2,041 | $2,843 | $3,779 | $8,772 |
| Reevesville | $253 | $492 | $903 | $1,586 | $2,508 |
| Ridgeville | $302 | $855 | $1,766 | $2,749 | $3,936 |
| Saint George | $298 | $635 | $1,180 | $1,940 | $3,106 |
| Summerville | $976 | $1,644 | $2,419 | $3,450 | $5,421 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Dorchester Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.dorchestercountysc.gov |