Rice County, KS Property Tax: $1,636/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Rice County is 1.55% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $105,500, that works out to about $1,635 per year, or $136 per month. Rice County is located in central Kansas, and is home to approximately 9,389 residents.
About Rice County
Rice County covers approximately 726.2 square miles in Kansas. The county is home to about 9,389 residents living in roughly 4,384 housing units, of which 65.0% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $63,947, and the median home was built in 1955.
Rice County borders Barton County, Ellsworth County, McPherson County, Reno County, Stafford 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 Rice County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Rice County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice County, KS | 1.55% | $105,500 | $1,635 |
| Kansas state average | 1.55% | — | $1,635* |
| Barton County | 1.66% | $117,200 | $1,948 |
| Ellsworth County | 1.52% | $116,300 | $1,766 |
| McPherson County | 1.40% | $198,400 | $2,780 |
| Reno County | 1.74% | $125,000 | $2,180 |
| Stafford County | 1.56% | $96,700 | $1,505 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Rice County's median home value of $105,500. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Rice County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Kansas?
At 1.55%, Rice County is equal to the Kansas state average of 1.55%. On a home at the county median of $105,500, that means about $1,635 per year — versus $1,635 at the state average rate, a difference of $0 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Rice County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Rice County?
For a home at the county median value of $105,500, the annual property tax in Rice County is approximately $1,635 — or about $136 per month. For a home worth $158,250, expect around $2,453 per year. For a $211,000 home, approximately $3,271 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Rice County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Rice County are handled by the Rice 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 Rice 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 1.55% shown here. Contact the Rice 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