Dorchester County, SC Property Taxes (2026)

Dorchester County owners pay a median of $1,710 a year on a median home value of $294,400, an effective rate of 0.58%. That's the 14th-highest rate of 46 South Carolina counties with Census data, above the South Carolina county median of 0.53%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

Is your Dorchester appraisal too high?

We compare your value to recent Dorchester County sales and show you in about a minute whether a appeal is worth it.

  • Free check
  • No credit card

Effective tax rate

0.58%

14th highest of 46 in SC

Median annual bill

$1,710

~$143/month

Median home value

$294,400

South Carolina county median

0.53%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Dorchester County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Dorchester County's 0.58% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$1,708
Savings at 10–15% off
$171–$256
Check my actual assessment →

Dorchester County vs. South Carolina vs. U.S. property tax rates

Dorchester County0.58%
South Carolina county median0.53%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Dorchester County's effective property tax rate is 0.58%, vs. 0.53% for the median South Carolina county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 14th of 46 in South Carolina. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Dorchester County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Dorchester County Assessor. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Dorchester County deadline is 90 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Assessor.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $1,710 bill, 10–15% off is $171–$257 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

Check my assessment

Property tax exemptions in South Carolina

South Carolina homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Dorchester County Assessor for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Dorchester County, South Carolina?
The median effective property tax rate in Dorchester County is 0.58%: a median annual bill of $1,710 on a median home value of $294,400. That's the 14th-highest rate of 46 South Carolina counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Dorchester County?
The median Dorchester County property tax bill is $1,710 a year, about $143 a month, compared with a South Carolina county median of $852.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Dorchester County?
The deadline to appeal in Dorchester County is 90 days after notice. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Dorchester County a high property tax area?
Dorchester County's 0.58% effective rate is above the South Carolina county median of 0.53% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 14th-highest rate of 46 South Carolina counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Dorchester County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Colleton County

Rate: 0.61%

Median bill: $883

Berkeley County

Rate: 0.48%

Median bill: $1,343

Charleston County

Rate: 0.41%

Median bill: $1,864

Orangeburg County

Rate: 0.66%

Median bill: $724

Bamberg County

Rate: 0.83%

Median bill: $796

Clarendon County

Rate: 0.58%

Median bill: $848

Calhoun County

Rate: 0.42%

Median bill: $630

Hampton County

Rate: 0.81%

Median bill: $826

← All 46 South Carolina counties

Stop overpaying on property taxes

See in about a minute whether your Dorchester value looks too high.

Check my assessment — free