Lincoln County vs. Minnehaha County: What Homebuyers Should Know

If you're buying a home in the Sioux Falls area, you may notice listings in both Lincoln County and Minnehaha County.

Sioux Falls actually extends into both counties, and nearby communities such as Harrisburg and Tea are also in Lincoln County.

So does the county matter when you're buying?

Yes, but probably not for the reasons you think.

Property Taxes Can Vary

Two similarly priced homes can have different annual property taxes depending on their assessed value, location and applicable taxing districts.

Rather than assuming one county is always more affordable, I recommend looking at the actual tax bill for each property you're considering.

School Districts Don't Follow County Lines

County and school district boundaries are two separate things.

A Sioux Falls address, for example, does not automatically mean the property is within the Sioux Falls School District.

If a specific school district matters to you, verify the boundary for the individual home.

Location Matters More Than the County Name

For most buyers, commute, neighborhood, home value and proximity to everyday amenities will have a bigger impact on daily life than the county itself.

Instead of choosing Lincoln County or Minnehaha County first, compare the individual properties.

Look at:

• Property taxes
  
  
• School boundaries, if relevant
  
  
• Utilities
  
  
• Commute
  
  
• Neighborhood
  
  
• Future development
  
  
• Overall monthly cost
  
  

The best choice usually comes down to the specific home, not simply which side of a county line it sits on.