Updated · Property tax data: Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates · Transfer tax verified April 2026 · Methodology · Editorial policy
Meade County's 1.01% median tax-to-value ratio falls in the middle 50% of US counties, close to the national median of 0.81%. Within South Dakota's 66 counties, it's the 33rd lowest. On the county's median home value of $310,900, the typical homeowner pays $3,129 annually in property tax, $1,500 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, South Dakota's 0.10% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $311 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the seller.
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Meade County.
The two rows above, added together: everything due at closing plus your first twelve months of ownership.
Low flood risk. Flood insurance not typically required. Verify at msc.fema.gov for your specific property.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 7.28%, the Freddie Mac PMMS average for the week ending October 1, 2026. Your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Ways buyers in Meade County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Freezes property assessment for homeowners 65+ or disabled. 2026 income limits: $56,595 single / $66,885 multi-member household. Home market value must be under $514,500.
View official source →Primary residences are taxed at a reduced rate vs. non-owner-occupied. Must own and occupy the property as of November 1.
View official source →Full property tax exemption for paraplegic veterans and fully disabled veterans, as defined by the Social Security Act, on the primary residence.
View official source →Last verified April 2026. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Meade County.
There is no single property tax rate for Meade County. The 1.01% figure commonly quoted is a county-wide median: the median annual property tax paid ($3,129) divided by the median home value ($310,900), from 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. It is a statistic describing the county, not a rate levied on any particular property. Your own bill depends on your assessed value, the millage set by your overlapping taxing districts, any homestead or senior exemptions you qualify for, and special assessments. One thing to watch: the median reflects taxes actually paid by current owners, many of whom hold homestead exemptions and assessment caps, so a new buyer paying today's market price often pays more than 1.01% of the purchase price.
South Dakota's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.10% of the purchase price. On the median Meade County home value of $310,900, this adds roughly $311 at closing. $0.50/$500 (0.1%) Real Estate Transfer Fee per SDCL 43-4-21, seller-paid. Uniform statewide.
Flood risk is relatively low. Only 0.5% of Meade County's land falls within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance is not typically required, though individual properties near waterways may still be in a zone. Verify at msc.fema.gov.
On Meade County's median home value of $310,900 with 20% down, buyer closing costs work out to roughly $4,409–$7,863, or 1.4–2.5% of the purchase price. That covers title insurance $800–$2,000; loan origination fee $1,244–$2,487; home appraisal $400–$700; home inspection $350–$600; recording fees $100–$300; prepaid mortgage interest $744; homeowners insurance (2 months) $250; property tax escrow (2-3 months) $521–$782. Transfer tax is listed separately. These are national ranges for each line item rather than Meade County quotes, so treat them as a planning range and use the calculator above for your own purchase price.
Every county-specific figure on this page links to the exact public dataset it comes from. Verify the numbers yourself against the original source.
Source for the $3,129/yr median taxes paid (ACS 2024 5-year estimates, variable B25103_001E).
Source for the $310,900 median home value (variable B25077_001E). The 1.01% effective rate is median taxes paid divided by median home value.
Source for the transfer tax used in the calculator (buyer 0.00%, seller 0.10%). Verified April 2026.
Source for the county's flood hazard exposure (coastal and inland flood exposure area as a share of county area).
The national dataset behind the county report, including its technical documentation and release notes.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Meade County.
Closing cost line items are national ranges, not county data. The methodology lists each range's source and the calculator's assumptions (mortgage rate, insurance, PMI).
South Dakota property tax exemptions: official sources
Verified April 2026.
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
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Read the guide →A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before, and what to do after.
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