Dorchester County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Dorchester County is 1.17%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 0.99% and the Maryland state median of 1.06%. With a median home value of $163,800 in Dorchester County, the typical annual property tax bill reaches $2,036, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Dorchester County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Dorchester County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Cambridge or another part of Dorchester County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Dorchester County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Average Tax Rate
1.17%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,916
Ownwell’s Dorchester Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Dorchester with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Dorchester to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester County, Maryland
Property taxes in Dorchester County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Dorchester County is 1.17%, which is higher than both the Maryland state median and the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Dorchester County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Dorchester County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. For comparison, the city of Cambridge has one of the higher property tax rates in Maryland at 1.46%, while the city of Anderson boasts one of the lowest at 1.09%. Analyzing how Dorchester County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Dorchester County Tax Rate
1.17%
Average Maryland Tax Rate
1.06%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Dorchester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.09% |
| Cambridge | 1.03% | 1.13% | 1.46% | 1.63% | 1.69% |
| Church Creek | 1.12% | 1.14% | 1.16% | 1.27% | 1.35% |
| Crapo | 1.13% | 1.16% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.27% |
| Crocheron | 1.13% | 1.17% | 1.23% | 1.29% | 1.39% |
| East New Market | 1.06% | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.74% |
| Elliott | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.33% |
| Federalsburg | 1.05% | 1.10% | 1.11% | 1.14% | 1.17% |
| Fishing Creek | 1.13% | 1.13% | 1.14% | 1.17% | 1.20% |
| Galestown | 1.11% | 1.13% | 1.13% | 1.20% | 1.33% |
| Hurlock | 1.07% | 1.09% | 1.12% | 1.66% | 1.70% |
| Linkwood | 1.09% | 1.11% | 1.13% | 1.16% | 1.18% |
| Madison | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.15% | 1.17% | 1.21% |
| Preston | 1.09% | 1.09% | 1.10% | 1.10% | 1.11% |
| Rhodesdale | 1.08% | 1.10% | 1.12% | 1.17% | 1.40% |
| Seaford | 1.07% | 1.10% | 1.12% | 1.18% | 1.42% |
| Secretary | 1.22% | 1.26% | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.35% |
| Taylors Island | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.14% | 1.18% | 1.25% |
| Toddville | 1.15% | 1.18% | 1.21% | 1.26% | 1.35% |
| Vienna | 1.10% | 1.13% | 1.18% | 1.42% | 1.48% |
| Wingate | 1.13% | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.23% | 1.28% |
| Woolford | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.15% | 1.18% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, Maryland
In Dorchester County, understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Dorchester County Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Dorchester County are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Dorchester County will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. Notably, Woolford has the highest median tax bill at $3,492, while Elliott has the lowest at $371.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, Maryland
Source: Ownwell
$28,000
$168,850
$309,700
Average Dorchester County Assessed Value
$163,800
Average Maryland Assessed Value
$317,700
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dorchester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $205,900 | $205,900 | $205,900 | $205,900 | $205,900 |
| Cambridge | $43,160 | $92,100 | $169,900 | $270,050 | $391,540 |
| Church Creek | $41,000 | $77,875 | $126,900 | $223,775 | $335,750 |
| Crapo | $38,670 | $57,500 | $81,250 | $122,250 | $192,320 |
| Crocheron | $21,730 | $30,325 | $47,800 | $82,925 | $141,450 |
| East New Market | $98,460 | $155,450 | $223,100 | $318,375 | $437,100 |
| Elliott | $28,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 |
| Federalsburg | $73,560 | $108,625 | $155,800 | $223,100 | $306,800 |
| Fishing Creek | $56,800 | $99,200 | $189,500 | $267,200 | $344,340 |
| Galestown | $98,720 | $142,700 | $145,200 | $165,500 | $235,340 |
| Hurlock | $73,230 | $101,900 | $153,000 | $220,775 | $284,010 |
| Linkwood | $63,530 | $88,700 | $131,350 | $210,000 | $331,740 |
| Madison | $61,340 | $106,950 | $161,000 | $286,000 | $445,920 |
| Preston | $134,950 | $147,150 | $162,350 | $207,925 | $312,350 |
| Rhodesdale | $66,280 | $101,800 | $159,600 | $237,000 | $334,920 |
| Seaford | $82,480 | $113,750 | $173,200 | $246,300 | $336,900 |
| Secretary | $82,650 | $109,250 | $136,900 | $169,275 | $218,200 |
| Taylors Island | $43,650 | $84,475 | $198,350 | $347,100 | $514,750 |
| Toddville | $24,660 | $39,350 | $59,400 | $82,700 | $143,140 |
| Vienna | $41,690 | $74,775 | $121,150 | $188,575 | $271,830 |
| Wingate | $21,100 | $49,300 | $68,400 | $100,800 | $183,100 |
| Woolford | $88,790 | $165,600 | $309,700 | $423,750 | $660,140 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester County, Maryland
In Dorchester County, MD, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the county’s property assessor and represents the estimated market value of the property. Homeowners in Dorchester County face a median property tax rate that is influenced by various factors, including property size, location, and market conditions. For instance, the median home price in Dorchester County is $163,800. Tax bills can vary significantly, with the 25th percentile at $1,252 and the 75th percentile at $3,174, indicating a wide range of property values and tax burdens. The 90th percentile tax bill reaches up to $4,696. Comparatively, the highest median tax bill in the county is found in Woolford at $3,492, while the lowest is in Elliott at $371. These variations impact homeowners differently, influencing their overall financial planning and property-related decisions. Understanding these factors helps homeowners anticipate and manage their annual property tax obligations.
Average Dorchester County Tax Bill
$2,036
Average Maryland Tax Bill
$3,419
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Dorchester County, Maryland
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $2,247 | $2,247 | $2,247 | $2,247 | $2,247 |
| Cambridge | $618 | $1,304 | $2,209 | $3,577 | $5,162 |
| Church Creek | $457 | $914 | $1,472 | $2,565 | $3,794 |
| Crapo | $490 | $666 | $941 | $1,411 | $2,193 |
| Crocheron | $250 | $379 | $592 | $927 | $1,609 |
| East New Market | $1,220 | $1,789 | $2,608 | $3,682 | $4,852 |
| Elliott | $371 | $371 | $371 | $371 | $371 |
| Federalsburg | $831 | $1,196 | $1,703 | $2,442 | $3,314 |
| Fishing Creek | $660 | $1,143 | $2,107 | $3,011 | $3,890 |
| Galestown | $1,142 | $1,607 | $1,826 | $2,063 | $2,737 |
| Hurlock | $842 | $1,378 | $1,928 | $2,682 | $3,433 |
| Linkwood | $740 | $1,012 | $1,467 | $2,220 | $3,711 |
| Madison | $684 | $1,224 | $1,850 | $3,240 | $5,019 |
| Preston | $1,494 | $1,624 | $1,787 | $2,266 | $3,390 |
| Rhodesdale | $785 | $1,211 | $1,762 | $2,666 | $3,688 |
| Seaford | $1,014 | $1,355 | $2,049 | $2,952 | $3,703 |
| Secretary | $1,044 | $1,364 | $1,745 | $2,212 | $2,938 |
| Taylors Island | $537 | $938 | $2,125 | $3,815 | $5,628 |
| Toddville | $334 | $496 | $721 | $980 | $1,575 |
| Vienna | $500 | $908 | $1,503 | $2,435 | $3,240 |
| Wingate | $287 | $592 | $802 | $1,067 | $2,096 |
| Woolford | $995 | $1,881 | $3,492 | $4,699 | $7,401 |
Source: Ownwell