Butte County, SD Property Records
Property records in Butte, South Dakota are official documents maintained at the county level that identify and describe real estate ownership, transfers, values, and related interests. These records may include deeds, mortgages, plats, parcel maps, legal descriptions, tax assessments, liens, and other recorded instruments affecting land or buildings.
They are useful for confirming ownership, researching property history, reviewing assessed values, preparing real estate transactions, resolving boundary or title questions, and supporting tax or legal matters. Homebuyers, property owners, attorneys, lenders, and researchers commonly rely on these records for accurate public information.
Users can access official Butte property records through Butte County offices, including the Register of Deeds, Director of Equalization, and Treasurer, depending on the type of record needed. For recorded land documents and related information, visit the county’s official property records page.
Butte County, SD Property Records & Statistics
Butte County has a median rent of $798, higher than South Dakota's $708 and not far below the national figure of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing is only 14.9% of homes, well below the state's 21.46% and the national 21.81%, so the county is predominantly owner-occupied even though rents are relatively high.
The median home value is $148,100, above the state median of $137,075 and below the national median of $173,750. The median property tax rate of 1.12% is slightly higher than the state's 1.09% and notably higher than the national 0.74%, which adds to the annual cost of ownership.
Income and employment are weaker than average. The median household income of $58,766 is below both the state's $65,677.25 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 4.21% is more than double the state's 1.72% and higher than the national 2.87%, suggesting a tighter job market for residents.
Taken together, the numbers describe a mostly owner-occupied county with moderate home prices, a slightly elevated tax rate and rents that run high for the state. Below-average incomes and higher unemployment make housing costs a more significant burden for some households.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
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Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Butte
Butte County property records include tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data and mortgage assignments and releases. The county has 11,457 total parcels, including 4,294 residential and 607 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 86.94% of the population. It holds 10,179 deed records and 7,292 mortgage records, and the assessor's latest update was July 10, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 11,457 |
| Residential Parcels | 4,294 |
| Commercial Parcels | 607 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 86.94% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 10,179 |
| Mortgage Records | 7,292 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 1,960 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 17, 2025 |
| Last Assessor Update | July 10, 2025 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records track what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that a mortgage was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Butte County has 1,848 assignment and release records available for research. They include 102 assignment documents recorded from January 28, 2022, through September 2, 2025, and 1,746 release documents recorded from October 1, 2021, through September 3, 2025. There are 0 other documents.
For property research, these records help show who holds a mortgage on a property and whether earlier loans have been paid off. Buyers, owners and researchers can use them to confirm that past mortgages were released, follow a loan as it moved between lenders and identify liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The much larger number of releases than assignments reflects how many loans were simply paid off over this period.
How to Search Butte County, SD Property Records
Butte County's land records are kept by the Register of Deeds in Belle Fourche, which holds deeds, mortgages, assignments and releases connected to the county's 11,457 parcels. Records typically show owner names, document types, recording dates and legal descriptions, and they can be searched online or requested in person.
Begin with the Butte County Register of Deeds page for office information and services. To search recorded documents yourself, use the South Dakota official records search, where you can look up filings by name, date range or document type and open an entry to see its recording details.
The office is at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at 605-892-2912.
Before searching, gather a property address, owner name or parcel number. Start with the most specific detail, narrow by date and open the document to confirm the legal description. Deeds in the county were recorded through August 13, 2025, and assignment and release records are available from late 2021, which helps when checking whether an older mortgage has been paid off.
Butte Registrar of Deeds
The Butte County Probate Office is located at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD, 57717 and can be reached at 605-892-2912. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through southdakota.thepublicindex.org or the official website buttesd.org.
Butte County Register of Deeds Office
Butte County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Butte County property records by address?
Use the South Dakota official records search for recorded documents, or call the Register of Deeds at 605-892-2912 for help locating a property. Because recorded documents do not always list street addresses, an owner name or legal description may work better. Assessment details come from the county's assessor records.
How can I find property owners in Butte County?
Search by name in the South Dakota official records search to find deeds showing who holds title, or visit the Register of Deeds at 839 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche. Review the latest deed to confirm current ownership, since recent transfers may take time to appear.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Butte County?
Assessed values come from the county's assessor records, which show the 2025 assessment year and were last updated on July 10, 2025. Contact the county courthouse in Belle Fourche with the parcel number or address. The South Dakota Department of Revenue explains how assessments and appeals work.
Where can I find Butte County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payment history are handled by the county treasurer at the courthouse, not the Register of Deeds. Call with the parcel number or owner name to request a copy of a bill or confirm payment. The Register of Deeds at 605-892-2912 can direct you to the right office.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Butte County?
Search deeds, mortgages, assignments and releases through the South Dakota official records search, or visit the Butte County Register of Deeds at 839 5th Avenue, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can provide copies of recorded instruments.
Where can I access Butte County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps for the county's 11,457 parcels are maintained by the county's assessment staff. Contact the courthouse and ask for the parcel or plat map you need, with the parcel number or legal description ready. The Register of Deeds can also help locate recorded plats for subdivisions.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Butte County?
Permit and zoning requirements depend on location. Properties inside Belle Fourche or another town follow that town's rules, while rural parcels fall under county planning and zoning. Call the courthouse with the address or parcel number to learn which office issues permits and what approvals a project needs.
How can I create a list of property owners in Butte County?
Compile a list by searching the South Dakota official records search by name, date range or document type and noting the owners on each result. For bulk requests, call the Register of Deeds at 605-892-2912 to ask what data can be provided and whether fees apply.