Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Summerville, South Carolina
Median Summerville, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.67%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and slightly higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.66%.
Median Summerville, South Carolina home value: $351,547
Median annual Summerville, South Carolina tax bill: $2,419, $19 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Dorchester calculated?
Property taxes in Summerville, South Carolina are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Summerville's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Summerville, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.67%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$2,355
$2,186
How Does the Summerville Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Summerville property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Summerville's median effective tax rate of 0.67% — based on actual property records in Dorchester County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Summerville's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Summerville: rates range from $2,331.00 in 29483 to $2,495.00 in 29485, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Summerville.
About Summerville Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Summerville, Dorchester, South Carolina
Summerville’s median effective property tax rate of 0.67% is lower than the South Carolina state median of 0.66% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Dorchester County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Summerville. Homeowners in the 29485 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.68%, while those in 29483 pay 0.64%. This spread — 0.04 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Dorchester County. Understanding which part of Summerville you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Summerville homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the January 15, 2027 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Summerville's effective property tax rate to other cities in South Carolina and the median property tax rates in South Carolina and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
0.51%
0.61%
0.72%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Summerville Tax Rate
0.67%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Dorchester County Tax Rate
0.67%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29483 | 0.32% | 0.49% | 0.64% | 0.88% | 1.67% |
| 29485 | 0.37% | 0.50% | 0.68% | 0.92% | 1.76% |
| 29486 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Summerville, South Carolina, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Dorchester County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Dorchester County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Summerville.
For example, the median home price in Summerville is $351,547, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 29485 has the highest median home price at $356,086.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$100,268
$420,150
$740,032
Median Summerville Market Value
$351,547
Median Dorchester County Market Value
$335,504
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29483 | $225,025 | $277,734 | $344,555 | $438,303 | $555,309 |
| 29485 | $239,253 | $298,977 | $356,086 | $423,108 | $503,880 |
| 29486 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
Property tax bills in Summerville are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property and any applicable exemptions. For homeowners, that means the bill can change when home values rise, when assessments are updated, or when exemptions reduce the taxable amount. With a median home price of $351,547, the typical tax bill reflects how local property values translate into annual taxes.
In Dorchester County, property tax bills vary across neighborhoods and ZIP codes. The highest median tax bill is $2,495 in ZIP code 29485, while the lowest median tax bill is $2,331 in ZIP code 29483. Across the city, tax bills also range widely, with the 25th percentile at $1,644 and the 75th percentile at $3,450. For homeowners, these differences can have a meaningful impact on monthly budgeting and long-term housing costs.
Property Tax Bills Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$792
$2,966
$5,139
Median Summerville Tax Bill
$2,419
Median Dorchester County Tax Bill
$2,309
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29483 | $849 | $1,519 | $2,331 | $3,471 | $5,422 |
| 29485 | $1,112 | $1,751 | $2,495 | $3,434 | $5,420 |
| 29486 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Dorchester Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.dorchestercountysc.gov |