How Property Tax Works
Allen County, Kansas operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including county government operations, schools, fire protection, and other special districts. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these services, with the county collecting approximately $30.4 million in property taxes for tax year 2024, representing a 6.6% increase from the previous year.
The effective property tax rate in Allen County is approximately 0.5% for 2025, though this rate can vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to different combinations of special taxing districts. These districts may include school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other local improvement districts that add their own levies to the base county rate. Property owners should expect their actual tax rate to differ based on which services and districts serve their specific property location.
Property taxes in Allen County are assessed on the appraised value of real estate and are calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the applicable tax rate for all taxing jurisdictions that serve the property. The assessment and collection process follows Kansas state guidelines, with annual assessments and specific due dates that property owners must observe to avoid penalties.