Dorset council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Dorset is £2,765.02 a year for 2026/27. That's up 5.1% on 2025/26 and £374 more than the England average. Most homes here are in band C: 23% of them.
Band D, 2026/27
£2,765.02 a year
- Council
- Dorset
- Type
- Unitary
- Region
- South West
- Rank
- the most expensive of 296 councils in England
the most expensive of 27 councils in the South West - England average
- £2,391.52 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Dorset council tax bands 2026/27
Yearly charge and the usual monthly payment. Councils collect in 10 monthly payments unless you ask for 12. These are averages across the council area; your parish changes the exact figure (see below).
| Band | A year | Monthly, 10 payments | Monthly, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,843.35 | £184.33 | £153.61 |
| Band B | £2,150.57 | £215.06 | £179.21 |
| Band C | £2,457.80 | £245.78 | £204.82 |
| Band D | £2,765.02 | £276.50 | £230.42 |
| Band E | £3,379.47 | £337.95 | £281.62 |
| Band F | £3,993.92 | £399.39 | £332.83 |
| Band G | £4,608.37 | £460.84 | £384.03 |
| Band H | £5,530.04 | £553.00 | £460.84 |
Bands as published by the government (area council tax including the average parish precept). Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
A Band D bill in Dorset is split between 4 bodies. Dorset council's own share is £2,205.90, including £41.85 raised this year for adult social care.
| Set by | Band D | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Dorset council | £2,205.90 | 80% |
| Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner | £322.58 | 12% |
| Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue | £96.95 | 4% |
| Parish or town council (average) | £139.59 | 5% |
Homes in each band
28% of the 188,910 homes in Dorset are in band A or B, and 13% are in band F or above.
Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax stock of properties, 31 March 2026. Counts are rounded.
Council tax by parish in Dorset
190 parish and town councils in Dorset add their own charge. Band D without any parish is £2,625.43; add the parish share for your area. Other bands are the same fraction of Band D as above.
| Parish or town council | Parish share | Band D total | Change in parish share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsbury (Chesil Bank) | £50.98 | £2,676.41 | +£1.58 |
| Affpuddle & Turnerspuddle | £50.03 | £2,675.46 | −£1.41 |
| Alderholt | £82.68 | £2,708.11 | +£2.41 |
| Alton Pancras (Piddle Valley) | £23.32 | £2,648.75 | +£1.01 |
| Anderson | £60.98 | £2,686.41 | +£9.03 |
| Arne | £59.76 | £2,685.19 | +£0.00 |
| Ashmore | £52.63 | £2,678.06 | +£17.07 |
| Askerswell | £27.01 | £2,652.44 | +£0.45 |
| Athelhampton (Puddletown Area) | £70.24 | £2,695.67 | +£4.29 |
| Batcombe (High Stoy) | £48.72 | £2,674.15 | +£1.27 |
| Beaminster | £233.72 | £2,859.15 | +£19.08 |
| Beerhacket (Thornhackett) | £41.37 | £2,666.80 | +£1.45 |
| Bere Regis | £130.62 | £2,756.05 | +£16.99 |
| Bettiscombe (Upper Marshwood Vale) | £38.81 | £2,664.24 | −£0.07 |
| Bincombe (Winterbourne Farringdon) | £31.92 | £2,657.35 | +£4.98 |
| Bishops Caundle | £72.11 | £2,697.54 | +£3.74 |
| Blandford Forum | £261.51 | £2,886.94 | +£7.68 |
| Blandford St. Mary | £53.19 | £2,678.62 | +£17.65 |
| Bourton | £88.70 | £2,714.13 | +£18.12 |
| Bradford Abbas | £48.28 | £2,673.71 | +£1.69 |
| Bradford Peverell | £63.57 | £2,689.00 | +£12.71 |
| Bridport | £216.88 | £2,842.31 | +£12.44 |
| Broadmayne | £53.50 | £2,678.93 | +£0.39 |
| Broadwindsor (Broadwindsor Group) | £48.59 | £2,674.02 | +£2.31 |
| Bryanston | £92.07 | £2,717.50 | +£14.15 |
| Buckhorn Weston | £28.18 | £2,653.61 | −£0.45 |
| Buckland Newton | £49.28 | £2,674.71 | +£2.17 |
| Burton Bradstock | £51.01 | £2,676.44 | +£0.19 |
| Cann | £24.32 | £2,649.75 | +£0.36 |
| Castleton (Yeo Head) | £45.16 | £2,670.59 | +£2.56 |
| Catherston Leweston | £22.21 | £2,647.64 | −£2.84 |
| Cattistock (Frome Valley) | £35.48 | £2,660.91 | +£1.42 |
| Cerne abbas (Cerne Valley) | £54.62 | £2,680.05 | +£7.35 |
| Chalbury (grouped with Horton Wimborne St Giles & Woodlands) | £30.71 | £2,656.14 | +£0.00 |
| Chaldon Herring | £61.79 | £2,687.22 | +£1.98 |
| Charlton Marshall | £54.02 | £2,679.45 | −£4.00 |
| Charminster | £40.20 | £2,665.63 | +£1.80 |
| Charmouth | £126.96 | £2,752.39 | +£2.81 |
| Cheselbourne | £70.69 | £2,696.12 | +£20.63 |
| Chetnole (Chetnole and Stockwood) | £71.10 | £2,696.53 | +£5.64 |
| Chickerell | £104.04 | £2,729.47 | +£2.08 |
| Chideock | £57.17 | £2,682.60 | −£12.43 |
| Child Okeford | £51.26 | £2,676.69 | +£3.46 |
| Chilfrome (Frome Valley) | £35.47 | £2,660.90 | +£1.41 |
| Church Knowle | £75.12 | £2,700.55 | −£4.48 |
| Colehill | £46.85 | £2,672.28 | +£1.34 |
| Compton Abbas | £135.45 | £2,760.88 | +£4.45 |
| Compton Valence (The Comptons & Toller & Wynford) | £24.98 | £2,650.41 | −£0.66 |
| Corfe Castle | £82.70 | £2,708.13 | +£0.01 |
| Corfe Mullen | £180.93 | £2,806.36 | +£28.56 |
| Corscombe (Corscombe Halstock & District) | £36.78 | £2,662.21 | +£0.25 |
| Cranborne | £55.09 | £2,680.52 | −£21.16 |
| Crichel (Grouped with Witchampton) | £37.66 | £2,663.09 | +£3.38 |
| Crossways | £35.81 | £2,661.24 | −£23.67 |
| Dewlish | £43.72 | £2,669.15 | −£1.22 |
| Dorchester | £218.83 | £2,844.26 | +£4.29 |
| Durweston | £58.18 | £2,683.61 | −£0.99 |
| East Chelborough (Corscombe Halstock & District) | £36.78 | £2,662.21 | +£0.25 |
| East Lulworth | £33.78 | £2,659.21 | −£2.11 |
| East Orchard | £31.74 | £2,657.17 | +£1.09 |
| East Stoke | £42.98 | £2,668.41 | −£0.07 |
| East Stour | £65.97 | £2,691.40 | +£13.69 |
| Edmondsham | £55.08 | £2,680.51 | −£21.18 |
| Evershot | £80.24 | £2,705.67 | −£7.54 |
| Farnham | £36.23 | £2,661.66 | −£2.51 |
| Ferndown | £128.95 | £2,754.38 | +£5.20 |
| Fifehead Magdalen | £20.97 | £2,646.40 | +£0.69 |
| Folke | £50.18 | £2,675.61 | +£2.97 |
| Fontmell Magna | £41.47 | £2,666.90 | +£6.80 |
| Frampton | £59.85 | £2,685.28 | −£0.36 |
| Frome St Quintin (Frome Valley) | £35.48 | £2,660.91 | +£1.42 |
| Frome Vauchurch | £76.77 | £2,702.20 | +£2.18 |
| Gillingham | £267.67 | £2,893.10 | +£11.99 |
| Glanvilles Wootton | £10.11 | £2,635.54 | −£0.24 |
| Gussage All Saints | £37.40 | £2,662.83 | +£3.73 |
| Gussage St. Michael | £40.12 | £2,665.55 | +£8.83 |
| Halstock (Corscombe Halstock & District) | £36.78 | £2,662.21 | +£0.25 |
| Hammoon | £69.07 | £2,694.50 | +£2.93 |
| Hazelbury Bryan | £52.53 | £2,677.96 | +£3.09 |
| Hilton | £33.46 | £2,658.89 | +£6.67 |
| Hinton | £41.78 | £2,667.21 | −£0.34 |
| Hinton St. Mary | £20.10 | £2,645.53 | −£0.08 |
| Holnest (Cam Vale) | £19.16 | £2,644.59 | +£0.40 |
| Holt | £28.00 | £2,653.43 | +£1.00 |
| Holwell | £39.86 | £2,665.29 | +£0.33 |
| Hooke | £12.52 | £2,637.95 | −£0.32 |
| Horton (grouped with Chalbury Wimborne St Giles & Woodlands) | £30.71 | £2,656.14 | +£0.00 |
| Ibberton | £17.94 | £2,643.37 | −£1.67 |
| Iwerne Courtney or Shroton | £29.05 | £2,654.48 | +£3.96 |
| Iwerne Minster | £65.76 | £2,691.19 | +£8.21 |
| Iwerne Stepleton | £29.07 | £2,654.50 | +£3.98 |
| Kingston Russell (Kingston Russell and Long Bredy) | £87.25 | £2,712.68 | +£9.46 |
| Kington Magna | £28.63 | £2,654.06 | −£0.25 |
| Langton Matravers | £25.66 | £2,651.09 | −£62.77 |
| Leigh | £45.62 | £2,671.05 | +£1.60 |
| Litton Cheney | £72.99 | £2,698.42 | +£19.99 |
| Loders | £61.99 | £2,687.42 | +£2.53 |
| Lydlinch | £39.21 | £2,664.64 | +£4.05 |
| Lyme Regis | £66.10 | £2,691.53 | −£2.72 |
| Lytchett Matravers | £81.88 | £2,707.31 | +£4.53 |
| Lytchett Minster and Upton | £175.56 | £2,800.99 | +£16.18 |
| Maiden Newton | £76.77 | £2,702.20 | +£2.18 |
| Manston | £69.10 | £2,694.53 | +£2.96 |
| Mappowder | £16.26 | £2,641.69 | +£5.38 |
| Margaret Marsh | £31.73 | £2,657.16 | +£1.08 |
| Marnhull | £44.33 | £2,669.76 | +£2.35 |
| Melbury Abbas | £24.32 | £2,649.75 | +£0.36 |
| Melbury Osmond | £67.93 | £2,693.36 | +£2.36 |
| Melcombe Horsey | £21.58 | £2,647.01 | −£2.65 |
| Milborne St. Andrew | £35.38 | £2,660.81 | +£0.81 |
| Milton Abbas | £78.25 | £2,703.68 | −£0.36 |
| Minterne Magna | £33.30 | £2,658.73 | −£2.76 |
| Morden | £38.66 | £2,664.09 | +£3.35 |
| Moreton | £54.40 | £2,679.83 | +£1.58 |
| Mosterton | £57.84 | £2,683.27 | +£4.79 |
| Motcombe | £70.48 | £2,695.91 | +£7.54 |
| Nether Compton (Queen Thorne) | £53.99 | £2,679.42 | −£0.86 |
| Netherbury | £16.60 | £2,642.03 | +£0.07 |
| North Poorton (Powerstock and North Poorton) | £18.62 | £2,644.05 | −£1.72 |
| Okeford Fitzpaine | £65.41 | £2,690.84 | −£2.25 |
| Osmington | £51.80 | £2,677.23 | +£0.00 |
| Owermoigne | £55.11 | £2,680.54 | +£0.29 |
| Pamphill (grouped with Shapwick) | £16.03 | £2,641.46 | −£9.20 |
| Pimperne | £42.00 | £2,667.43 | +£1.48 |
| Portland Town Council | £156.64 | £2,782.07 | +£4.08 |
| Puncknowle (Puncknowle and Swyre Group) | £45.96 | £2,671.39 | +£10.63 |
| Purse Caundle | £32.42 | £2,657.85 | +£0.17 |
| Rampisham | £27.03 | £2,652.46 | −£0.62 |
| Ryme Intrinseca (Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca) | £69.76 | £2,695.19 | +£12.04 |
| Shaftesbury | £247.32 | £2,872.75 | +£27.65 |
| Sherborne | £277.73 | £2,903.16 | +£7.97 |
| Shillingstone | £89.15 | £2,714.58 | +£2.71 |
| Shipton Gorge | £65.60 | £2,691.03 | +£3.12 |
| Silton | £49.69 | £2,675.12 | +£3.39 |
| Sixpenny Handley & Pentridge | £126.73 | £2,752.16 | +£5.72 |
| South Perrott | £53.38 | £2,678.81 | +£0.52 |
| Spetisbury | £44.59 | £2,670.02 | +£2.82 |
| St. Leonards and St. Ives | £26.88 | £2,652.31 | +£1.08 |
| Stalbridge | £184.83 | £2,810.26 | +£45.70 |
| Stanton St Gabriel (Char Valley) | £43.76 | £2,669.19 | +£4.87 |
| Stinsford | £35.92 | £2,661.35 | −£0.24 |
| Stour Provost | £57.30 | £2,682.73 | +£13.18 |
| Stourpaine | £65.70 | £2,691.13 | −£0.77 |
| Stourton Caundle | £54.44 | £2,679.87 | +£2.43 |
| Stratton | £48.58 | £2,674.01 | +£0.05 |
| Studland | £153.20 | £2,778.63 | +£0.00 |
| Sturminster Marshall | £83.60 | £2,709.03 | +£6.59 |
| Sturminster Newton | £303.52 | £2,928.95 | +£30.62 |
| Sutton Waldron | £31.49 | £2,656.92 | +£3.58 |
| Swanage | £192.64 | £2,818.07 | +£3.78 |
| Sydling St Nicholas | £54.91 | £2,680.34 | +£2.82 |
| Symondsbury | £44.95 | £2,670.38 | +£3.76 |
| Tarrant Crawford | £28.16 | £2,653.59 | +£0.81 |
| Tarrant Gunville | £19.88 | £2,645.31 | −£0.80 |
| Tarrant Hinton | £8.99 | £2,634.42 | −£0.07 |
| Tarrant Keyneston | £28.17 | £2,653.60 | +£0.82 |
| Tarrant Launceston | £24.39 | £2,649.82 | +£2.23 |
| Tarrant Monkton | £24.39 | £2,649.82 | +£2.23 |
| Tarrant Rawston | £28.15 | £2,653.58 | +£0.80 |
| Tarrant Rushton | £28.16 | £2,653.59 | +£0.81 |
| Thorncombe | £37.02 | £2,662.45 | +£0.95 |
| Tincleton (Knightsford) | £69.69 | £2,695.12 | +£26.40 |
| Todber | £72.88 | £2,698.31 | +£11.60 |
| Toller Porcorum | £58.84 | £2,684.27 | +£3.72 |
| Verwood | £71.89 | £2,697.32 | +£7.08 |
| Wareham St. Martin | £42.08 | £2,667.51 | +£3.82 |
| Wareham Town | £299.98 | £2,925.41 | +£52.43 |
| West Chelborough (Corscombe Halstock & District) | £36.76 | £2,662.19 | +£0.23 |
| West Knighton (Knightsford) | £83.07 | £2,708.50 | +£21.99 |
| West Lulworth | £65.90 | £2,691.33 | −£0.19 |
| West Moors | £79.67 | £2,705.10 | +£8.64 |
| West Orchard | £31.75 | £2,657.18 | +£1.10 |
| West Parley | £55.89 | £2,681.32 | +£5.08 |
| West Stafford (Knightsford) | £77.23 | £2,702.66 | +£24.71 |
| West Stour | £57.53 | £2,682.96 | +£13.94 |
| Weymouth | £219.70 | £2,845.13 | +£20.00 |
| Wimborne Minster | £178.64 | £2,804.07 | +£30.14 |
| Wimborne St Giles (grouped with Chalbury Horton & Woodlands) | £30.71 | £2,656.14 | +£0.00 |
| Winfrith Newburgh | £51.92 | £2,677.35 | −£1.43 |
| Winterborne Houghton | £52.52 | £2,677.95 | +£4.45 |
| Winterborne Kingston | £148.51 | £2,773.94 | +£12.67 |
| Winterborne St Martin | £37.92 | £2,663.35 | +£6.80 |
| Winterborne Stickland | £76.74 | £2,702.17 | +£8.50 |
| Winterborne Whitechurch | £56.24 | £2,681.67 | −£0.31 |
| Winterborne Zelston | £41.98 | £2,667.41 | −£11.83 |
| Winterbourne Abbas (Winterbourne Abbas and Winterbourne Steepleton) | £41.22 | £2,666.65 | +£11.32 |
| Withchampton (Grouped with Crichel) | £54.75 | £2,680.18 | +£8.57 |
| Woodlands (grouped with Chalbury Wimborne St Giles & Horton) | £30.71 | £2,656.14 | +£0.00 |
| Woodsford (Knightsford) | £64.41 | £2,689.84 | +£21.12 |
| Wool | £68.14 | £2,693.57 | +£4.01 |
Parish shares from the government's council tax statistics for town and parish councils, 2026/27.
Discounts and premiums in Dorset
Everyone in England gets the national discounts: 25% off if you live alone, nothing to pay for all-student homes, and one band lower if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. How discounts work. Dorset also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year; 200% premium after 5 years; 300% premium after 10 years |
Source: Dorset website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Each English council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age people. Dorset Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Dorset over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £2,765.02 |
| 2025/26 | £2,630.30 |
| 2024/25 | £2,503.63 |
| 2023/24 | £2,387.81 |
| 2022/23 | £2,290.20 |
| 2021/22 | £2,223.01 |
| 2020/21 | £2,118.86 |
| 2019/20 | £2,037.59 |
Band D including the average parish or community precept. 2019/20 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
| Council | Band D | Difference | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | £2,560.59 | −£204.43 | Compare |
| New Forest | £2,419.76 | −£345.26 | Compare |
| Wiltshire | £2,571.78 | −£193.24 | Compare |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | £2,435.58 | −£329.44 | Compare |
| East Devon | £2,595.46 | −£169.56 | Compare |
Pay, check your band or apply for a discount
This site is independent. To pay, see your exact bill, tell the council you've moved or apply for a discount, use the council's own site.
Questions
How much is council tax in Dorset?
In 2026/27 Band D is £2,765.02 a year. Bands run from £1,843.35 (Band A) to £5,530.04 (Band H). The exact figure depends on your parish or town council.
How much is Band C council tax a month in Dorset?
Band C is £2,457.80 a year: £245.78 a month over 10 payments or £204.82 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (23% of homes).
How much did Dorset council tax go up?
Band D rose from £2,630.30 in 2025/26 to £2,765.02 in 2026/27, an increase of 5.1% (£134.72).
Does Dorset charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Dorset charges a 100% premium on second homes in 2026/27, so the owner pays 200% of the normal charge.
Who do I pay council tax to in Dorset?
You pay Dorset council, which collects the whole bill and passes on the shares set by Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue and Parish or town council. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published 25 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- Council Tax: stock of properties, 2026 - CTSOP1.1: number of properties by Council Tax band, local authority and LSOA/MSOA at 31 March 2026 (geography = LAUA rows), Valuation Office Agency, checked 27 October 2026
- Council website (premiums and discounts), checked 27 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we compile these figures.