Ness County, KS Property Tax: $1,678/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Ness County is 1.96% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $85,400, that works out to about $1,674 per year, or $140 per month. Ness County is located in western Kansas, and is home to approximately 2,659 residents.
About Ness County
Ness County covers approximately 1,074.7 square miles in Kansas. The county is home to about 2,659 residents living in roughly 1,475 housing units, of which 62.5% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $66,107, and the median home was built in 1959.
Ness County borders Ellis County, Finney County, Gove County, Hodgeman County, Lane County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Kansas
Property taxes in Kansas are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Kansas offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Ness County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Ness County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ness County, KS | 1.96% | $85,400 | $1,674 |
| Kansas state average | 1.55% | — | $1,324* |
| Ellis County | 1.22% | $211,100 | $2,582 |
| Finney County | 1.43% | $191,100 | $2,733 |
| Gove County | 1.33% | $119,000 | $1,581 |
| Hodgeman County | 1.77% | $92,700 | $1,638 |
| Lane County | 1.44% | $119,000 | $1,708 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Ness County's median home value of $85,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ness County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Kansas?
At 1.96%, Ness County is higher than the Kansas state average of 1.55%. On a home at the county median of $85,400, that means about $1,674 per year — versus $1,324 at the state average rate, a difference of $350 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Ness County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Ness County?
For a home at the county median value of $85,400, the annual property tax in Ness County is approximately $1,674 — or about $140 per month. For a home worth $128,100, expect around $2,511 per year. For a $170,800 home, approximately $3,348 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Ness County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Ness County are handled by the Ness County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Ness County?
Kansas counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.96% shown here. Contact the Ness County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File