Lawrence County, SD Property Tax: $2,671/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Lawrence County is 0.86% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $310,800, that works out to about $2,673 per year, or $223 per month. Lawrence County is located in western South Dakota, with Deadwood as its county seat, and is home to approximately 26,574 residents.
About Lawrence County
Lawrence County covers approximately 800.1 square miles in South Dakota. The county is home to about 26,574 residents living in roughly 14,545 housing units, of which 51.9% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $66,766, and the median home was built in 1984.
The county seat is Deadwood. Lawrence County borders Butte County, Meade County, Pennington County, Crook County, Weston 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 Lawrence County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Lawrence County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence County, SD | 0.86% | $310,800 | $2,673 |
| South Dakota state average | 1.09% | — | $3,388* |
| Butte County | 1.06% | $207,700 | $2,197 |
| Meade County | 1.03% | $274,800 | $2,840 |
| Pennington County | 1.13% | $270,400 | $3,049 |
| Crook County | 0.55% | $276,800 | $1,522 |
| Weston County | 0.68% | $214,000 | $1,460 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Lawrence County's median home value of $310,800. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lawrence County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Dakota?
At 0.86%, Lawrence County is lower than the South Dakota state average of 1.09%. On a home at the county median of $310,800, that means about $2,673 per year — versus $3,388 at the state average rate, a difference of $715 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Lawrence County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Lawrence County?
For a home at the county median value of $310,800, the annual property tax in Lawrence County is approximately $2,673 — or about $223 per month. For a home worth $466,200, expect around $4,009 per year. For a $621,600 home, approximately $5,346 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Lawrence County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Lawrence County are handled by the Lawrence County Assessor's office in Deadwood. 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 Lawrence 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 0.86% shown here. Contact the Lawrence 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