Property Taxes in Sumter, South Carolina
Median Sumter, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.76%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.66%.
Median Sumter, South Carolina home value: $33,145
Median annual Sumter, South Carolina tax bill: $250, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lee calculated?
Property taxes in Sumter, 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 Sumter's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Sumter, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Sumter Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Sumter property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Sumter's median effective tax rate of 0.76% — based on actual property records in Lee County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Sumter'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 Sumter: rates range from 0.76% in 29153 to 0.76% in 29153, 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 Sumter.
About Sumter Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Sumter, Lee, South Carolina
Sumter’s median effective property tax rate of 0.76% is higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.66% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Lee 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 Sumter. Homeowners in the 29153 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.76%, while those in the lowest ZIP also pay 0.76%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Lee County. Understanding which part of Sumter you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Sumter 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 Sumter, Lee 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 Sumter's effective property tax rate to other cities in South Carolina and the median property tax rates in South Carolina and the U.S.
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 Sumter Tax Rate
0.76%
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 Lee County Tax Rate
0.77%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29153 | 0.20% | 0.65% | 0.76% | 2.13% | 2.16% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Sumter, 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 Lee County tax authority 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 Lee County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 context, the median home price in Sumter is $33,145, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills in the county can vary, with the median tax bill at $250 and the 90th percentile at $1,050.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$10,995
$22,070
$33,145
Median Sumter Market Value
$33,145
Median Lee County Market Value
$24,720
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29153 | $5,323 | $9,662 | $33,145 | $75,232 | $168,214 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
How are property tax bills calculated in Sumter?
Property tax bills in Sumter are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price. Local tax rates are applied to that assessed value to determine the annual bill, and the amount can vary depending on exemptions and other local factors. For homeowners, this means a higher assessed value can lead to a larger tax bill, while available exemptions may help reduce what is owed.
What do Sumter homeowners typically pay?
The median home price is $33,145, and the median property tax bill is $250. That figure is well below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and also far under the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. In Sumter, tax bills are relatively modest, but they still depend on how each property is assessed. For many homeowners, even small changes in assessed value can affect the final bill, making it important to understand how local property taxes are calculated.
Median Sumter Tax Bill
$250
Median Lee County Tax Bill
$219
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Sumter, Lee County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29153 | $38 | $106 | $250 | $480 | $1,050 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lee Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.qpublic.net |