Colleton County, SC Property Tax: $883/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Colleton County is 0.61% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $145,900, that works out to about $890 per year, or $74 per month. Colleton County is located in southern South Carolina, with Walterboro as its county seat, and is home to approximately 38,623 residents.
About Colleton County
Colleton County covers approximately 1,056.5 square miles in South Carolina. The county is home to about 38,623 residents living in roughly 19,994 housing units, of which 58.4% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $48,779, and the median home was built in 1988.
The county seat is Walterboro. Colleton County borders Allendale County, Bamberg County, Beaufort County, Charleston County, Dorchester County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in South Carolina
Property taxes in South Carolina 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 Carolina 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 Colleton County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Colleton County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleton County, SC | 0.61% | $145,900 | $890 |
| South Carolina state average | 0.54% | — | $788* |
| Allendale County | 0.88% | $61,600 | $542 |
| Bamberg County | 0.83% | $96,000 | $796 |
| Beaufort County | 0.50% | $407,600 | $2,022 |
| Charleston County | 0.41% | $450,800 | $1,864 |
| Dorchester County | 0.58% | $294,400 | $1,710 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Colleton County's median home value of $145,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Colleton County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Carolina?
At 0.61%, Colleton County is higher than the South Carolina state average of 0.54%. On a home at the county median of $145,900, that means about $890 per year — versus $788 at the state average rate, a difference of $102 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Colleton County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Colleton County?
For a home at the county median value of $145,900, the annual property tax in Colleton County is approximately $890 — or about $74 per month. For a home worth $218,850, expect around $1,335 per year. For a $291,800 home, approximately $1,780 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Colleton County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Colleton County are handled by the Colleton County Assessor's office in Walterboro. 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 Colleton County?
South Carolina 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 0.61% shown here. Contact the Colleton 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