Council tax in Dorset, 2026-27
A Band D home in Dorset pays £2,765.02 this year, the 1st highest Band D of the 296 billing authorities in England, where the median is £2,441.46 (the highest in England). Over the usual ten instalments from April that is £276.50 a month; over twelve, £230.42.
Every band in Dorset
| Band | Bill for 2026-27 | A month, ten instalments | Ratio to Band D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,843.35 | £184.33 | 0.67 |
| Band B | £2,150.57 | £215.06 | 0.78 |
| Band C | £2,457.80 | £245.78 | 0.89 |
| Band D | £2,765.02 | £276.50 | 1.00 |
| Band E | £3,379.47 | £337.95 | 1.22 |
| Band F | £3,993.92 | £399.39 | 1.44 |
| Band G | £4,608.37 | £460.84 | 1.67 |
| Band H | £5,530.04 | £553.00 | 2.00 |
Band D is the authority's published average area charge; other bands use the statutory ratios in the Local Government Finance Act 1992, so a parish precept can move an actual bill a little either way. Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, live council tax tables (Band D area average, all precepts included), 2026-27. The band itself belongs to the property, set by the Valuation Office Agency; the highest Band D in England this year is Dorset, the lowest Wandsworth.
Six years of Band D, and the council's finances
Band D was £2,223.00 in 2021-22 and is £2,765.02 now, a rise of 24.4% over 5 years. The latest rise, 5.1% for 2026-27, compares with an England median of 4.8%.
| Year | Band D bill | Rise |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | £2,223 | +4.9% |
| 2022-23 | £2,290 | +3.0% |
| 2023-24 | £2,388 | +4.3% |
| 2024-25 | £2,504 | +4.9% |
| 2025-26 | £2,630 | +5.0% |
| 2026-27 | £2,765 | +5.1% |
No exceptional financial support from government since 2020-21 and no section 114 notice on record for Dorset Council, as at 2026-09-07.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: live council tax tables (Band D area averages by year) and the Exceptional Financial Support lists published each year; section 114 notices as published by the councils. Rises are year on year on the Band D area average.
Area guides in Dorset
Postcode districts whose centre sits in Dorset: sold prices, schools, crime, flood risk and more for each.
BH16BH19BH20BH21BH22BH31DT1DT10DT11DT2DT3DT4DT5DT6DT7DT8DT9SP7SP8
Common questions
How much is council tax in Dorset for 2026-27?
A Band D home pays £2,765.02 for 2026-27, the 1st highest Band D of the 296 billing authorities in England, where the median is £2,441.46. Band A is £1,843.35 and Band H is £5,530.04. Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, live council tax tables (Band D area average, all precepts included).
How much is council tax in Dorset per month?
Council tax is normally paid in ten monthly instalments from April, so a Band D bill of £2,765.02 is £276.50 a month; a household that asks for twelve instalments pays £230.42 a month. The bill includes every precept: the county or unitary council, police, fire and any parish or town council.
How much has council tax in Dorset gone up?
Band D was £2,223.00 in 2021-22 and £2,765.02 in 2026-27, a rise of 24.4% over 5 years. In the latest year it rose 5.1% against an England median rise of 4.8%. Source: MHCLG live council tax tables.
Has Dorset council had financial trouble?
No exceptional financial support from government since 2020-21 and no section 114 notice on record for Dorset, as at 2026-09-07. Source: the Exceptional Financial Support lists published by MHCLG each year, and notices published by councils.
Check a specific address
The council sets the bill; the band belongs to the home. Run a free report for the band an address actually carries, the bill that follows from it, and forty-three other checks on the same page.