Buffalo County, SD Property Taxes (2026)

Buffalo County owners pay a median of $843 a year on a median home value of $108,000, an effective rate of 0.78%. That's the 61st-highest rate of 65 South Dakota counties with Census data, below the South Dakota county median of 1.08%.

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

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Effective tax rate

0.78%

61st highest of 65 in SD

Median annual bill

$843

~$70/month

Median home value

$108,000

South Dakota county median

1.08%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Buffalo County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Buffalo County's 0.78% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$842
Savings at 10–15% off
$84–$126
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Buffalo County vs. South Dakota vs. U.S. property tax rates

Buffalo County0.78%
South Dakota county median1.08%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Buffalo County's effective property tax rate is 0.78%, vs. 1.08% for the median South Dakota county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 61st of 65 in South Dakota. 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 Buffalo County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Buffalo County Director of Equalization. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Buffalo County deadline is Varies by county. 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 Director of Equalization.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $843 bill, 10–15% off is $84–$126 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in South Dakota

South Dakota homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Buffalo County Director of Equalization 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 Buffalo County, South Dakota?
The median effective property tax rate in Buffalo County is 0.78%: a median annual bill of $843 on a median home value of $108,000. That's the 61st-highest rate of 65 South Dakota 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 Buffalo County?
The median Buffalo County property tax bill is $843 a year, about $70 a month, compared with a South Dakota county median of $1,598.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Buffalo County?
The deadline to appeal in Buffalo County is Varies by county. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Buffalo County a high property tax area?
Buffalo County's 0.78% effective rate is below the South Dakota county median of 1.08% and below the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 61st-highest rate of 65 South Dakota counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Buffalo County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Brule County

Rate: 0.85%

Median bill: $1,744

Jerauld County

Rate: 0.95%

Median bill: $1,212

Lyman County

Rate: 1.01%

Median bill: $1,581

Hand County

Rate: 0.90%

Median bill: $1,373

Hyde County

Rate: 1.23%

Median bill: $1,650

Aurora County

Rate: 1.08%

Median bill: $1,393

Hughes County

Rate: 1.14%

Median bill: $2,526

Beadle County

Rate: 1.05%

Median bill: $1,879

← All 65 South Dakota counties

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