Beaufort County, South Carolina Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Beaufort County effective property tax rate: 0.82%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Beaufort County home value: $278,200
Median annual Beaufort County tax bill: $2,400, equal to the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Beaufort County calculated?

Property taxes in Beaufort County 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 your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in a city like Beaufort or another part of Beaufort County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Beaufort County, South Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.82%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$2,281

$2,117

Ownwell’s Beaufort County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Beaufort County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Beaufort County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Beaufort County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

Local government entities are responsible for setting tax rates, leading to significant variations within a state. Each year, counties like Beaufort in South Carolina determine their budgetary needs for public services and divide this by the total assessed value of all taxable properties within their jurisdiction. This calculation is essential in establishing the property tax rate. Though votes and legislative measures influence the final tax rates and budgets, this is the core of the annual process.

In Beaufort County, the effective property tax rate is lower than the national median of 1.02%. This positions Beaufort as a more favorable option for property owners compared to other regions in the U.S. Within the county, Daufuskie Island has the highest median tax rate, while Okatie boasts the lowest. These variations underscore the importance of understanding local tax dynamics, as they can significantly impact property tax bills. Comparing Beaufort's rates to state and national figures can provide valuable insights for property owners seeking to optimize their tax liabilities.

Property Tax Rates Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

Source: Ownwell

0.51%

1.18%

1.85%

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 Beaufort County Tax Rate

0.82%

Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate

0.72%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Beaufort	0.54%	0.67%	0.84%	1.76%	2.08%
Bluffton	0.45%	0.52%	0.69%	1.26%	1.74%
Daufuskie Island	0.65%	0.76%	1.85%	1.96%	2.04%
Hilton Head Island	0.54%	0.59%	1.41%	1.72%	1.79%
Okatie	0.46%	0.53%	0.66%	1.33%	1.73%
Port Royal	0.49%	0.72%	1.31%	1.89%	2.05%
Saint Helena Island	0.54%	0.66%	1.31%	1.74%	1.85%
Seabrook	0.42%	0.65%	0.98%	1.61%	1.86%
Sheldon	0.57%	0.64%	1.56%	1.79%	1.80%
Yemassee	0.24%	0.63%	1.07%	1.54%	1.78%
Aiken	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fripp Island	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hardeeville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hilton Head	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lexington	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lobeco	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
North Augusta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ridgeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

When examining property taxes in Beaufort County, 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 Beaufort County Assessor's Office 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 Beaufort 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 Beaufort County. For example, the median tax bill in Beaufort County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Sheldon has the highest median home price at $1,653,050.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$42,950

$848,000

$1,653,050

Median Beaufort County Market Value

$278,200

Median South Carolina Market Value

$140,000

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Beaufort	$20,200	$108,900	$199,000	$310,000	$500,000
Bluffton	$125,000	$203,200	$277,500	$407,400	$674,080
Daufuskie Island	$78,000	$200,000	$357,100	$559,100	$867,860
Hilton Head Island	$119,300	$225,000	$403,550	$646,575	$1,030,930
Okatie	$185,000	$242,975	$316,000	$472,950	$838,160
Port Royal	$43,100	$99,000	$153,800	$233,100	$332,000
Saint Helena Island	$8,400	$42,400	$205,000	$392,700	$591,800
Seabrook	$8,100	$22,900	$81,100	$233,450	$464,190
Sheldon	$972,000	$1,249,050	$1,653,050	$2,049,425	$2,419,600
Yemassee	$8,240	$15,350	$42,950	$103,200	$212,410
Aiken	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fripp Island	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hardeeville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hilton Head	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lexington	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lobeco	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
North Augusta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ridgeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

In Beaufort County, SC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is a percentage of its market value. Homeowners can expect a median property tax rate that is often lower than the national median of 1.02%. However, the actual tax bill can vary widely depending on the property's assessed value and any applicable exemptions. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $1,237, indicating that some homeowners pay significantly less than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. On the higher end, the 75th percentile tax bill reaches $4,683, while the 90th percentile can go up to $9,061, showing substantial variation in tax obligations among homeowners. The highest median tax bill in the county is recorded in Sheldon at $19,689, contrasting sharply with Yemassee, where the lowest median tax bill is $346. These figures illustrate how local tax rates and property values influence what homeowners ultimately pay, impacting their annual financial planning.

Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$346

$10,018

$19,689

Median Beaufort County Tax Bill

$2,400

Median South Carolina Tax Bill

$1,086

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Beaufort	$167	$931	$1,761	$3,090	$5,209
Bluffton	$763	$1,250	$2,011	$3,630	$6,335
Daufuskie Island	$836	$2,382	$5,002	$8,316	$13,533
Hilton Head Island	$1,105	$2,225	$3,865	$7,340	$13,362
Okatie	$1,023	$1,565	$2,495	$4,477	$7,824
Port Royal	$248	$837	$1,671	$2,801	$4,526
Saint Helena Island	$100	$336	$1,704	$4,501	$8,093
Seabrook	$95	$211	$657	$1,997	$4,108
Sheldon	$7,240	$9,970	$19,689	$30,325	$37,665
Yemassee	$64	$143	$346	$867	$1,868
Aiken	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fripp Island	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hardeeville	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hilton Head	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lexington	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lobeco	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
North Augusta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ridgeland	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell