Shawnee County, KS Property Tax: $2,500/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Shawnee County is 1.47% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $170,400, that works out to about $2,505 per year, or $209 per month. Shawnee County is located in eastern Kansas, and is home to approximately 178,315 residents.
About Shawnee County
Shawnee County covers approximately 544.0 square miles in Kansas. The county is home to about 178,315 residents living in roughly 80,884 housing units, of which 61.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $66,043, and the median home was built in 1971.
Shawnee County borders Douglas County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Osage County, Pottawatomie 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 Shawnee County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Shawnee County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnee County, KS | 1.47% | $170,400 | $2,505 |
| Kansas state average | 1.55% | — | $2,641* |
| Douglas County | 1.25% | $281,600 | $3,508 |
| Jackson County | 1.19% | $193,600 | $2,304 |
| Jefferson County | 1.28% | $200,800 | $2,562 |
| Osage County | 1.60% | $142,800 | $2,282 |
| Pottawatomie County | 1.11% | $223,000 | $2,475 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Shawnee County's median home value of $170,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shawnee County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Kansas?
At 1.47%, Shawnee County is lower than the Kansas state average of 1.55%. On a home at the county median of $170,400, that means about $2,505 per year — versus $2,641 at the state average rate, a difference of $136 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Shawnee County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Shawnee County?
For a home at the county median value of $170,400, the annual property tax in Shawnee County is approximately $2,505 — or about $209 per month. For a home worth $255,600, expect around $3,757 per year. For a $340,800 home, approximately $5,010 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Shawnee County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Shawnee County are handled by the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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 1.47% shown here. Contact the Shawnee 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