Jones County, SD Property Tax: $1,357/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Jones County is 1.16% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $117,100, that works out to about $1,358 per year, or $113 per month. Jones County is located in central South Dakota, with Murdo as its county seat, and is home to approximately 1,030 residents.
About Jones County
Jones County covers approximately 969.7 square miles in South Dakota. The county is home to about 1,030 residents living in roughly 478 housing units, of which 54.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $64,688, and the median home was built in 1971.
The county seat is Murdo. Jones County borders Haakon County, Lyman County, Mellette County, Stanley 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 Jones County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Jones County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jones County, SD | 1.16% | $117,100 | $1,358 |
| South Dakota state average | 1.09% | — | $1,276* |
| Haakon County | 0.85% | $153,200 | $1,297 |
| Lyman County | 1.01% | $156,500 | $1,581 |
| Mellette County | 1.53% | $63,000 | $963 |
| Stanley County | 1.43% | $169,900 | $2,423 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Jones County's median home value of $117,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jones County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Dakota?
At 1.16%, Jones County is higher than the South Dakota state average of 1.09%. On a home at the county median of $117,100, that means about $1,358 per year — versus $1,276 at the state average rate, a difference of $82 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Jones County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Jones County?
For a home at the county median value of $117,100, the annual property tax in Jones County is approximately $1,358 — or about $113 per month. For a home worth $175,650, expect around $2,038 per year. For a $234,200 home, approximately $2,717 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Jones County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Jones County are handled by the Jones County Assessor's office in Murdo. 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 Jones 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 1.16% shown here. Contact the Jones 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