What is the property tax rate in Douglas County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Douglas County, Kansas is approximately 1.40%.

Douglas County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Kansas Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Douglas County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Lawrence-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Douglas County — including Kansas's constitutionally-fixed 11.5% residential assessment ratio (Art. 11, §1), the 20-mill Statewide School Levy with a $20,000 exemption, SAFESR refund for low-income seniors 65+, and the partial Disabled Veteran Refund (SVR — Kansas does NOT provide a full vet exemption).

Douglas County, home to Lawrence and 120k Kansans, operates under Kansas's constitutionally-fixed property tax system. Residential property is assessed at 11.5% of fair market value (Kansas Constitution Art. 11, §1; commercial is 25%). Tax = AV × Mill Levy / 1,000. The state imposes a 20-mill Statewide School Levy, but the first $20,000 of appraised value is EXEMPT from this state portion (~$46/year reduction for all owners). Kansas does NOT have a senior property tax freeze.

How the bill is built

Kansas property tax follows a 3-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Market Value. The Douglas County Kansas Appraiser's Office determines FMV every year (Kansas reappraises annually, unlike Missouri's biennial cycle). Step 2: Apply 11.5% residential assessment ratio. AV = FMV × 11.5%. Commercial uses 25%; agricultural uses 30% of use value. Step 3: Apply mill levy. Tax = AV × mill levy / 1,000. Douglas County's combined consolidated mill levy is ~122 mills (× 11.5% residential AR = ~1.40% effective rate against market value).

The $20,000 Statewide School Levy exemption is automatic — for ALL owners, not just seniors. Kansas\'s 20-mill Statewide School Levy is reduced by an exemption of the first $20,000 of appraised value. At 11.5% AR × 20 mills, this saves every Kansas homeowner approximately $46/year automatically. No application required. Senior protection beyond this is limited to the SAFESR refund (75% of paid tax for 65+ with income below $23,700) and the Homestead Refund (up to $700 for 55+ or disabled with income below $42,000) — both income-tested.

Kansas does NOT provide a full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans — among only a handful of states without this benefit (similar to Missouri and Massachusetts). Instead, the Kansas Disabled Veteran Property Tax Refund (SVR) provides a refundable credit: 50% of property tax paid for 50%+ service-connected disability, or 75% for 70%+ disability. Income-tested at ~$60,000 household income. File Form K-40SVR with state income tax return by April 15. Disabled veterans should compare with neighboring Missouri\'s MO-PTC ($1,100 max) or move further afield to states with full exemptions (MD, VA, IA, WI, MI, NJ, PA, SC).

Reappraisals occur annually — providing real-time market reflection but also volatility. Unlike Missouri\'s odd-year cycle or Maryland\'s triennial cycle, Kansas reappraises real property every year. Property owners can appeal to the County Board of Equalization within 30 days of receiving the change of value notice (typically March). Comparable sales evidence is the most-effective basis for appeal. Subsequent appeals to the State Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA) require formal evidence and hearing.

2026 Douglas County rate breakdown (consolidated mill levy per $1,000 of AV (11.5% of FMV), Lawrence district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined consolidated mill levy (~122 mills × 11.5% AR = ~1.40% effective)	122.0000
Combined total	122.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Douglas County Kansas Appraiser's Office.

Note: Douglas County is **home to the University of Kansas** — Lawrence (~95K, the seat) hosts the flagship KU campus (~28,000 students) and the Kansas Jayhawks athletics program (Big 12 Conference, men's basketball blue blood with 6 NCAA national championships). The county has substantial cultural amenities for its size — the Lied Center for the Performing Arts, the Spencer Museum of Art, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, and a celebrated downtown Lawrence music/restaurant scene. Lawrence has historic significance as a key abolitionist stronghold during "Bleeding Kansas" (1854-1860) and the site of the August 21, 1863 Lawrence Massacre by Confederate raider William Quantrill.

Note: Douglas County effective property tax rates run approximately **1.40% — moderate by Kansas standards**. Combined consolidated mill levy is ~122 mills. Median home values around $255K (higher than most non-Johnson-County KS counties, driven by KU demand) combined with the moderate rate produce median annual bills around $3,570.

Note: For relocation buyers: Douglas County offers **the university-town Kansas** option — Lawrence's KU-anchored economy, substantial healthcare employment (Lawrence Memorial Hospital), strong public schools (Lawrence Public Schools is highly rated), and the celebrated downtown Lawrence cultural scene (Mass Street, the Lawrence Arts Center, the Granada Theater). The trade-off: Lawrence is 35 miles west of Kansas City and ~25 miles east of Topeka — somewhat isolated from major employment centers outside KU. Strong remote-worker relocation since 2020 driven by lifestyle and KU community amenities.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Kansas homeowner property tax relief is concentrated in three mechanisms: (1) the constitutional 11.5% residential assessment ratio (applied automatically), (2) the $20,000 Statewide School Levy exemption (applied automatically), and (3) the income-tested SAFESR Refund for low-income seniors 65+ and the Homestead Refund for 55+ or disabled. Notably, Kansas does NOT provide a full disabled-veteran exemption — only the partial SVR refund.

The 11.5% Residential Assessment Ratio (constitutional)

Kansas Constitution Art. 11, §1 fixes residential property at 11.5% of fair market value — applied automatically with no application. Commercial uses 25%; agricultural uses 30% of use value. The constitutional ratio means a $300K market-value home has only $34,500 assessed value (compared to states with 100% AR where the same home would have $300K AV against the rate).

$20,000 Statewide School Levy Exemption (automatic)

Kansas\'s 20-mill Statewide School Levy applies to most Kansas property — but the first $20,000 of appraised value is exempt from this state portion. At 11.5% AR × 20 mills, this saves every Kansas homeowner approximately $46/year automatically. No application required. This applies to ALL homeowners — not just seniors.

SAFESR Refund + Homestead Refund (income-tested)

Kansas does NOT have a senior property tax freeze (no SB 190 equivalent). Senior protection is limited to two income-tested refund programs: SAFESR (Property Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors) refunds 75% of property taxes paid for owners 65+ with household income below ~$23,700 (2026, indexed). The Kansas Homestead Refund provides a partial rebate up to ~$700/year for owners 55+ or disabled with household income below ~$42,000. File Form K-40H (Homestead Refund) or Form K-40SVR (SAFESR) with Kansas Department of Revenue by April 15.

Disabled Veteran Refund (SVR — partial only)

Kansas\'s SVR refund provides 50% of property tax paid for 50%+ service-connected disability, or 75% for 70%+ disability. Income-tested at ~$60,000 household income. Surviving spouses retain. File Form K-40SVR. NOT a full exemption — meaningful disadvantage vs neighboring Missouri\'s MO-PTC ($1,100) or eastern states with full vet exemptions.

Appealing your assessment

Kansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Board of Equalization. File a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the change of value notice (mailed late February to early March each year, since Kansas reappraises annually). The CBOE holds informal hearings — present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or condition documentation. Level 2: State Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA). If denied, appeal to the BOTA within 30 days of the CBOE decision. BOTA holds formal evidentiary hearings (small-claims division for residential properties under $3M). Level 3: Court of Appeals. BOTA decisions can be appealed on legal grounds. Most Kansas appeals are resolved at Level 1.

Cities and towns in Douglas County

Douglas County contains 4 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Lawrence to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Douglas County is subject to Douglas County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Lawrence County seat	city	94,900
Eudora	city	6,600
Baldwin City	city	4,900
Lecompton	city	600

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Lawrence tax district. Other cities in Douglas County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Douglas County Kansas Appraiser's Office before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Kansas property taxes due?

Kansas property taxes are due in two installments: December 20 (first half) and May 10 (second half). Bills are typically mailed in November. Late payments accrue interest plus penalty. Most Kansas homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer. Some counties offer optional installment plans — contact your county treasurer for current options.

Why does Kansas not have a senior property tax freeze?

Kansas does not have a senior property tax freeze (no SB 190 equivalent like Missouri). The Kansas Legislature has considered similar legislation multiple times in recent years but has not passed a senior freeze. Senior protection is limited to two income-tested refund programs: SAFESR (Property Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors) refunds 75% of property taxes paid for owners 65+ with household income below ~$23,700 (2026, indexed), and the Kansas Homestead Refund provides a partial rebate up to ~$700/year for owners 55+ or disabled with household income below ~$42,000. Both refunds are filed with Kansas Department of Revenue (Form K-40H or K-40SVR) by April 15.

How does the SAFESR refund work?

SAFESR is a refundable claim filed with Kansas Department of Revenue (NOT with the county). Eligibility: age 65+ as of December 31 of the tax year; primary residence in Kansas; household income below ~$23,700 (2026 limit, indexed annually); have paid property taxes on the home. Mechanism: SAFESR refunds 75% of the property taxes paid on the primary residence. Filing: Form K-40SVR, due April 15 (with extension available). The refund is paid as a check from Kansas Department of Revenue, typically within 90 days of filing.

Why doesn\'t Kansas have a full disabled veterans property tax exemption?

Kansas does NOT provide a full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans — among only a handful of states without this benefit (Missouri and Massachusetts are similar). Kansas\'s primary veteran property tax relief is the Disabled Veteran Refund (SVR): 50% of property tax paid for 50%+ service-connected disability, or 75% for 70%+ disability. Income-tested at ~$60,000 household income. File Form K-40SVR with state income tax return by April 15. Disabled veterans seeking a full exemption may want to compare neighboring Missouri (MO-PTC up to $1,100), or eastern states with full vet exemptions (MD, VA, IA, WI, MI, NJ, PA — and SC for 100% P&T).

How does the $20,000 Statewide School Levy exemption work?

The Kansas Statewide School Levy is 20 mills, applied to most Kansas property to fund public schools. However, the first $20,000 of appraised value of every Kansas home is EXEMPT from this 20-mill state portion. At 11.5% AR × 20 mills, this saves every Kansas homeowner approximately $46/year automatically. No application required — it appears as a deduction on your bill. This is universal (not senior-specific) and applies to ALL primary residences. The local mill levy (county, city, school district, special districts) still applies to the full assessed value.

How do I appeal my Kansas assessment?

Kansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Board of Equalization (CBOE). File a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the change of value notice (mailed late February to early March each year — Kansas reappraises annually). The CBOE holds informal hearings — present comparable sales, recent appraisals, or condition documentation. Level 2: State Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA). If denied, appeal to BOTA within 30 days of the CBOE decision. BOTA holds formal evidentiary hearings (small-claims division for residential properties under $3M). Level 3: Kansas Court of Appeals. BOTA decisions can be appealed on legal grounds. Most Kansas appeals are resolved at Level 1.

About Douglas County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Lawrence is **the only US city to have been the deliberate target of a Confederate Army-affiliated massacre** during the American Civil War — the **Lawrence Massacre** (August 21, 1863), in which Confederate guerrilla leader William Clarke Quantrill led approximately 400 raiders into Lawrence at dawn, killing approximately 150-200 men and boys (the women and children were generally spared but watched their husbands, sons, and fathers be killed) and burning much of the downtown to the ground. The Massacre was retaliation for Lawrence's long-standing role as an abolitionist stronghold and the Free-State capital of Kansas during the "Bleeding Kansas" pre-war conflict (1854-1860). The Quantrill's Raid of 1863 has been the subject of multiple films and books — including The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and Ride With the Devil (1999).

Hometown hero

Wilt Chamberlain

The American basketball legend (1936-1999) — the only NBA player to score 100 points in a single game (March 2, 1962, vs. New York Knicks at Hershey, PA) and one of the most-dominant players in basketball history — attended the **University of Kansas (Douglas County)** from 1955 to 1958. Although freshman ineligibility rules prevented him from playing varsity in 1955-56, Chamberlain led the KU Jayhawks to the NCAA Final in 1957 (lost in triple-overtime to North Carolina). Chamberlain played 14 NBA seasons (1959-1973), winning 2 NBA championships, 4 MVP awards, and was a 13-time All-Star. The Chamberlain mural at Allen Fieldhouse honors his KU heritage.

Biggest annual event

KU Jayhawks basketball season + Wakarusa Music Festival

KU Jayhawks men's basketball home games at Allen Fieldhouse (capacity 16,300, the most-celebrated college basketball venue in the United States) are sold out continuously since the 1980s — the building has hosted the Jayhawks since 1955 and is widely regarded as the premier college basketball atmosphere. The annual student campout for season tickets is itself a major Lawrence tradition. The Wakarusa Music Festival (annual, early June at Clinton State Park 2004-2009, now relocated) was once one of the largest music festivals in the Midwest — drawing 30,000+ attendees with major rock, folk, and jam-band acts.

Property Tax in Douglas County, 2026