Dorchester County, SC Property Tax: $1,710/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Dorchester County is 0.58% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $294,400, that works out to about $1,708 per year, or $142 per month. Dorchester County is located in southern South Carolina, and is home to approximately 164,322 residents.
About Dorchester County
Dorchester County covers approximately 568.4 square miles in South Carolina. The county is home to about 164,322 residents living in roughly 66,435 housing units, of which 69.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $76,896, and the median home was built in 1999.
Dorchester County borders Berkeley County, Charleston County, Colleton County, Orangeburg 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 Dorchester County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Dorchester County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester County, SC | 0.58% | $294,400 | $1,708 |
| South Carolina state average | 0.54% | — | $1,590* |
| Berkeley County | 0.48% | $280,300 | $1,343 |
| Charleston County | 0.41% | $450,800 | $1,864 |
| Colleton County | 0.61% | $145,900 | $883 |
| Orangeburg County | 0.66% | $109,700 | $724 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Dorchester County's median home value of $294,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Dorchester County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Carolina?
At 0.58%, Dorchester County is higher than the South Carolina state average of 0.54%. On a home at the county median of $294,400, that means about $1,708 per year — versus $1,590 at the state average rate, a difference of $118 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Dorchester County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Dorchester County?
For a home at the county median value of $294,400, the annual property tax in Dorchester County is approximately $1,708 — or about $142 per month. For a home worth $441,600, expect around $2,561 per year. For a $588,800 home, approximately $3,415 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Dorchester County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Dorchester County are handled by the Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 0.58% shown here. Contact the Dorchester 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