Butte County, SD Property Tax: $2,197/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Butte County is 1.06% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $207,700, that works out to about $2,202 per year, or $184 per month. Butte County is located in western South Dakota, and is home to approximately 10,538 residents.
About Butte County
Butte County covers approximately 2,250.0 square miles in South Dakota. The county is home to about 10,538 residents living in roughly 4,737 housing units, of which 71.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $67,692, and the median home was built in 1981.
Butte County borders Carter County, Harding County, Lawrence County, Meade County, Perkins County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in South Dakota
Property taxes in South Dakota are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in South Dakota offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Butte County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Butte County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte County, SD | 1.06% | $207,700 | $2,202 |
| South Dakota state average | 1.09% | — | $2,264* |
| Carter County | 0.44% | $176,600 | $782 |
| Harding County | 0.93% | $156,400 | $1,460 |
| Lawrence County | 0.86% | $310,800 | $2,671 |
| Meade County | 1.03% | $274,800 | $2,840 |
| Perkins County | 1.33% | $105,900 | $1,405 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Butte County's median home value of $207,700. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Butte County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Dakota?
At 1.06%, Butte County is lower than the South Dakota state average of 1.09%. On a home at the county median of $207,700, that means about $2,202 per year — versus $2,264 at the state average rate, a difference of $62 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Butte County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Butte County?
For a home at the county median value of $207,700, the annual property tax in Butte County is approximately $2,202 — or about $184 per month. For a home worth $311,550, expect around $3,302 per year. For a $415,400 home, approximately $4,403 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Butte County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Butte County are handled by the Butte County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Butte County?
South Dakota counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.06% shown here. Contact the Butte County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File