Pennington County, SD Property Tax: $3,049/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Pennington County is 1.13% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $270,400, that works out to about $3,056 per year, or $255 per month. Pennington County is located in western South Dakota, with Rapid City as its county seat, and is home to approximately 112,081 residents.
About Pennington County
Pennington County covers approximately 2,776.8 square miles in South Dakota. The county is home to about 112,081 residents living in roughly 50,655 housing units, of which 62.3% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $70,768, and the median home was built in 1982.
The county seat is Rapid City. Pennington County borders Custer County, Haakon County, Lawrence County, Meade 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 Pennington County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Pennington County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennington County, SD | 1.13% | $270,400 | $3,056 |
| South Dakota state average | 1.09% | — | $2,947* |
| Custer County | 0.78% | $327,200 | $2,549 |
| Haakon County | 0.85% | $153,200 | $1,297 |
| Lawrence County | 0.86% | $310,800 | $2,671 |
| Meade County | 1.03% | $274,800 | $2,840 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Pennington County's median home value of $270,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pennington County's property tax rate compare to the rest of South Dakota?
At 1.13%, Pennington County is higher than the South Dakota state average of 1.09%. On a home at the county median of $270,400, that means about $3,056 per year — versus $2,947 at the state average rate, a difference of $109 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Pennington County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Pennington County?
For a home at the county median value of $270,400, the annual property tax in Pennington County is approximately $3,056 — or about $255 per month. For a home worth $405,600, expect around $4,583 per year. For a $540,800 home, approximately $6,111 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Pennington County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Pennington County are handled by the Pennington County Assessor's office in Rapid City. 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 Pennington 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 1.13% shown here. Contact the Pennington 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