Property Tax in South Carolina by County
The typical South Carolina homeowner pays $1,199 per year in property taxes, with a median home value of $236,700 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023). This page lists the same figures for each of the state's 46 counties with published Census data. That state median is about 60% lower than the US median of $2,969.
Within South Carolina, the highest median tax bill is in Beaufort County, SC at $2,022, and the lowest is in Marion County, SC at $397. The gap mostly reflects differences in home values and in the local rates set by counties, school districts and municipalities.
A few distribution facts: the median of South Carolina's county medians is $856, 0 of 46 counties exceed the national median of $2,969, and the distance between the cheapest county (Marion County, $397) and the most expensive (Beaufort County, $2,022) is $1,625 a year.
Two reference points for the state's geography: Greenville County is South Carolina's most populous county with 537,575 residents, while Horry County is the largest by land area at 1,133 square miles. Both appear in the table with their own median figures.
Where people live in South Carolina: Greenville County leads with 537,575 residents (median tax $1,445, median home $273,900), followed by Richland County (418,725; $1,569 on $224,200) and Charleston County (414,711; $1,864 on $450,800).
South Carolina counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County, SC | $2,022 | $407,600 | 0.50% | 192,123 |
| Charleston County, SC | $1,864 | $450,800 | 0.41% | 414,711 |
| Dorchester County, SC | $1,710 | $294,400 | 0.58% | 164,322 |
| York County, SC | $1,602 | $322,700 | 0.50% | 288,559 |
| Richland County, SC | $1,569 | $224,200 | 0.70% | 418,725 |
| Jasper County, SC | $1,490 | $269,400 | 0.55% | 30,658 |
| Lancaster County, SC | $1,487 | $298,100 | 0.50% | 100,905 |
| Greenville County, SC | $1,445 | $273,900 | 0.53% | 537,575 |
| Berkeley County, SC | $1,343 | $280,300 | 0.48% | 238,723 |
| Spartanburg County, SC | $1,217 | $216,000 | 0.56% | 338,096 |
| Lexington County, SC | $1,136 | $217,700 | 0.52% | 300,370 |
| Georgetown County, SC | $1,117 | $262,300 | 0.43% | 64,200 |
| Newberry County, SC | $1,090 | $158,200 | 0.69% | 38,121 |
| McCormick County, SC | $1,014 | $159,000 | 0.64% | 9,701 |
| Anderson County, SC | $985 | $212,500 | 0.46% | 207,218 |
| Greenwood County, SC | $973 | $166,400 | 0.58% | 69,329 |
| Kershaw County, SC | $937 | $191,900 | 0.49% | 66,924 |
| Colleton County, SC | $883 | $145,900 | 0.60% | 38,623 |
| Horry County, SC | $879 | $260,500 | 0.34% | 368,937 |
| Edgefield County, SC | $877 | $194,300 | 0.45% | 26,508 |
| Aiken County, SC | $862 | $199,500 | 0.43% | 171,949 |
| Sumter County, SC | $860 | $159,500 | 0.54% | 104,853 |
| Oconee County, SC | $856 | $217,200 | 0.39% | 79,566 |
| Clarendon County, SC | $848 | $147,300 | 0.58% | 31,037 |
| Chester County, SC | $846 | $143,800 | 0.59% | 32,177 |
| Hampton County, SC | $826 | $102,400 | 0.81% | 18,555 |
| Pickens County, SC | $821 | $216,000 | 0.38% | 132,604 |
| Bamberg County, SC | $796 | $96,000 | 0.83% | 13,164 |
| Florence County, SC | $724 | $165,500 | 0.44% | 136,921 |
| Orangeburg County, SC | $724 | $109,700 | 0.66% | 83,531 |
| Abbeville County, SC | $717 | $147,200 | 0.49% | 24,352 |
| Barnwell County, SC | $717 | $97,200 | 0.74% | 20,565 |
| Saluda County, SC | $700 | $123,200 | 0.57% | 18,958 |
| Fairfield County, SC | $683 | $129,100 | 0.53% | 20,741 |
| Laurens County, SC | $673 | $153,500 | 0.44% | 67,904 |
| Calhoun County, SC | $630 | $148,800 | 0.42% | 14,150 |
| Williamsburg County, SC | $630 | $95,100 | 0.66% | 30,517 |
| Darlington County, SC | $604 | $141,400 | 0.43% | 62,754 |
| Cherokee County, SC | $590 | $135,200 | 0.44% | 56,299 |
| Lee County, SC | $579 | $101,900 | 0.57% | 16,330 |
| Union County, SC | $558 | $100,000 | 0.56% | 26,990 |
| Allendale County, SC | $542 | $61,600 | 0.88% | 7,738 |
| Marlboro County, SC | $475 | $74,500 | 0.64% | 26,285 |
| Chesterfield County, SC | $468 | $101,400 | 0.46% | 43,575 |
| Dillon County, SC | $425 | $84,400 | 0.50% | 28,031 |
| Marion County, SC | $397 | $86,800 | 0.46% | 28,900 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in South Carolina
Property tax in South Carolina is administered locally. As in almost every state, the process starts with an assessment: a local assessor (in most places a county official) estimates the market value of your property. That value, minus any exemptions you qualify for — homestead exemptions are the most common — is multiplied by the combined rates of the local taxing districts where the property sits: typically the county, a municipality, a school district, and sometimes special districts such as fire or water districts.
If your assessment notice shows a value that looks too high, you can usually appeal. Start by asking the assessor's office for your property record card and checking it for simple errors — wrong square footage, an extra bathroom, a missed exemption. If the value still looks wrong, gather evidence: recent sales of similar homes nearby, or an independent appraisal. Appeals go to the local review board named on your notice, and the deadline on that notice controls — appeal windows are typically short.
One caution applies everywhere in South Carolina: the median figures on this page describe the typical owner-occupied household across the whole state. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, your exemptions, and your exact combination of local districts, so use these numbers as a benchmark and confirm specifics with your county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in South Carolina?
The median real estate tax paid in South Carolina is $1,199 per year, on a median home value of $236,700 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which South Carolina county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Beaufort County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $2,022 per year.
Which South Carolina county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Marion County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $397 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in South Carolina?
Assessments in South Carolina are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.