Ottawa County, KS Property Taxes (2026)

Ottawa County owners pay a median of $2,651 a year on a median home value of $164,100, an effective rate of 1.62%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 105 Kansas counties with Census data, above the Kansas county median of 1.55%.

Updated October 2026 · Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023)

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Effective tax rate

1.62%

41st highest of 105 in KS

Median annual bill

$2,651

~$221/month

Median home value

$164,100

Kansas county median

1.55%

Effective rate

What a protest could save you in Ottawa County

Enter the market value from your appraisal notice. We apply Ottawa County's 1.62% effective rate and a 10–15% reduction, the typical range for successful protests.

$
Est. annual tax
$2,658
Savings at 10–15% off
$266–$399
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Ottawa County vs. Kansas vs. U.S. property tax rates

Ottawa County1.62%
Kansas county median1.55%
U.S. county median0.84%

Key stat: Ottawa County's effective property tax rate is 1.62%, vs. 1.55% for the median Kansas county and 0.84% for the median U.S. county. It ranks 41st of 105 in Kansas. Effective rate = median tax bill ÷ median home value, so it already reflects typical exemptions. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023))

How to appeal your property taxes in Ottawa County

  1. 1

    Review your assessment notice

    Check the assessed value from the Ottawa County Appraiser. Compare it to recent sales of similar homes nearby.

  2. 2

    File your appeal before the deadline

    The Ottawa County deadline is March 15. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment year.

  3. 3

    Gather evidence

    Recent comparable sales, photos of condition issues, repair estimates or an independent appraisal.

  4. 4

    Present your case

    Submit evidence or attend a hearing with the County Appraiser.

  5. 5

    Get your decision

    If you win, your assessed value and bill go down. On a $2,651 bill, 10–15% off is $265–$398 a year.

Want help with it?

TaxDrop builds your case from comparable sales data.

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Property tax exemptions in Kansas

Kansas homeowners may qualify for exemptions that reduce taxable value. Check with the Ottawa County Appraiser for amounts.

Homestead exemption

For your primary residence. Reduces the value used to calculate your bill.

Senior / over-65

Many states add an exemption or freeze for owners 65 and older.

Disability

For homeowners with qualifying disabilities, often similar to the over-65 benefit.

Veterans

Disabled veterans may get partial or full exemptions depending on rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Ottawa County, Kansas?
The median effective property tax rate in Ottawa County is 1.62%: a median annual bill of $2,651 on a median home value of $164,100. That's the 41st-highest rate of 105 Kansas counties with Census data. Your own rate depends on which city, school district and special districts you're in. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).
How much are property taxes in Ottawa County?
The median Ottawa County property tax bill is $2,651 a year, about $221 a month, compared with a Kansas county median of $1,863.
What is the deadline to appeal property taxes in Ottawa County?
The deadline to appeal in Ottawa County is March 15. Missing it means waiting until the next assessment cycle.
Is Ottawa County a high property tax area?
Ottawa County's 1.62% effective rate is above the Kansas county median of 1.55% and above the U.S. county median of 0.84%. That's the 41st-highest rate of 105 Kansas counties with Census data.
Can TaxDrop help lower my Ottawa County property taxes?
TaxDrop analyzes your property against local comparable sales and helps you appeal your assessment.

Property taxes in nearby counties

Saline County

Rate: 1.33%

Median bill: $2,283

Cloud County

Rate: 1.79%

Median bill: $1,722

Clay County

Rate: 1.38%

Median bill: $2,061

Lincoln County

Rate: 1.55%

Median bill: $1,432

Dickinson County

Rate: 1.43%

Median bill: $2,123

Mitchell County

Rate: 1.90%

Median bill: $2,084

Ellsworth County

Rate: 1.52%

Median bill: $1,766

Republic County

Rate: 1.70%

Median bill: $1,290

← All 105 Kansas counties

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