Communities › Douglas County › Baldwin City, KS 66006
Baldwin City, Kansas
A Douglas County college town on the old Santa Fe Trail, 15 miles south of Lawrence: home to Baker University, the Maple Leaf Festival and a downtown that’s literally paved in history (the brick streets date to 1925).
What’s new in Baldwin CityProperty taxesSubdivisionsBaldwin City schools (USD 348)City rulesLocal guideSales taxFAQ
- Kansas Teacher of the Year semifinalist (2025) · Erin Scott, Baldwin Elementary Center
- Kansans Can Star Recognition, Bronze for Postsecondary Success and Civic Engagement · USD 348 district-wide
Baldwin City is a Douglas County, Kansas college town of 4,826 residents (2020 Census), home to Baker University, the first university in Kansas. Single-family homes sold for a typical $371,950, about $184 per square foot, in 2024–2026 Heartland MLS sales, with typical annual property taxes near $4,668. The city levies 43.39 mills in its 2026 budget, runs its own electric, water and sewer utilities, and is served by USD 348.
Homes for sale
Baldwin City homes for sale right now
Live from the MLS: the lowest-priced home for sale, every rental, the homes coming soon and everything for sale on the map. It all updates on its own as listings come and go.
Updated live from the MLS
Lowest-priced home for sale in Baldwin City
The lowest-priced Baldwin City listing shows here, updated automatically.
Updated live from the MLS
Homes for rent in Baldwin City
See them before they hit the market
Coming soon in Baldwin City
Map view
Every Baldwin City listing on the map
Start with a Baldwin City search:
Loading live listings by subdivision…
What’s new in Baldwin City
What the city is fixing, funding and planning
Pulled from council and planning agendas, city news and local reporting, checked November 6, 2026. Older items move to our Update Archive.
City property
November 2026
Council opens talks on the future of city-owned buildings
Baldwin City leaders have started a public discussion about what to do with city-owned buildings and lots and how those decisions fit the city’s strategic plan. At the Oct. 20 meeting, the council took no action; one idea raised was a covered pavilion on the city parking lot west of the Masonic Lodge that could host the farmers market and solar-powered charging stations. ‘City Properties’ is on the agenda again for the Nov. 3, 2026 council meeting, and the city is asking residents to share their ideas with the council.
Road work
October 2026
Council awards $2.1M contract to rebuild the US-56 corridor
On Oct. 6 the City Council voted 4-0 to award the US-56 Corridor Management Project to Killough Construction, the lowest of four bids at $2,108,742.45, contingent on KDOT approval. The work runs along US-56 from Eisenhower Street through First Street. A KDOT reimbursement grant of up to $2 million supports the project.
Source: City of Baldwin City (Oct. 6, 2026 council minutes) →
New rules
October 2026
New e-bike and e-scooter rules keep riders off sidewalks
The council passed Ordinance 1540 on Oct. 20 by a 4-0 vote. It defines e-bike and e-scooter classes, bans riding them on sidewalks and requires riders to walk them downtown. The council also passed Ordinance 1541, which updates the downtown sidewalk rules for ADA compliance and adds signs marking the pedestrian area.
Source: City of Baldwin City (Oct. 20, 2026 council minutes) →
On the agenda
November 2026
City moves to adopt 2024 building codes
Ordinance 1542 would adopt the 2024 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance and Swimming Pool and Spa codes, plus the 2026 National Electrical Code. Local amendments keep the permit requirement for fences, drop the residential fire sprinkler requirement and set minimum insulation levels. The Planning Commission approved it 5-0, the council held a first reading on Oct. 20, and it is on the Nov. 3 council agenda.
Source: City of Baldwin City (Nov. 3, 2026 council packet) →
Parks
October 2026
City Lake spillway repair under way, trail bridges due in November
The 90-year-old concrete spillway at Baldwin City Lake failed in its middle section about seven years ago and lowered the water by three feet. A grant has been approved and a donation account is open at Baldwin State Bank to pay for the repair. On Oct. 20 the Lake Advisory Committee reported the spillway work is progressing and new trail bridges should be finished by the end of November.
Source: City of Baldwin City (Sept. 15 and Oct. 20, 2026 council minutes) →
Your taxes
Sept 2026
Council passes 2027 budget with a lower tax rate
The Baldwin City Council unanimously approved its 2027 budget in September, setting the city mill levy at 42.268 mills, down 0.62 mill from last year. City administrator Russ Harding put expected 2027 revenue at about 19.2 million dollars against 18.9 million dollars in spending. City taxes on a 300,000 dollar home come to about 1,458 dollars, roughly 21 dollars less than a year earlier.
Your say
Aug 2026
Public survey opens on Black Jack Battlefield’s future
The Black Jack Battlefield Advisory Board opened a public survey in August to gather feedback on the park’s future vision. The city and Douglas County jointly own the 38-acre site and appoint the board together.
Road work
2025–2026
Downtown brick streets are being restored
A multi-year project is restoring 14 blocks of the 1925 brick streets, estimated at about $5.6 million, with grants covering up to 70%. The rebuilt 8th & High intersection now has a maple-leaf pattern in the brick.
Your taxes
Aug 2026
City proposes a 4.316-mill increase
For the 2027 budget the city proposed raising its levy by 4.316 mills, about $149 a year on a $300,000 home. USD 348 proposed cutting its levy by 2.481 mills, the biggest school cut in the county.
Utilities
Feb 2026
Water and sewer rates went up
New utility rates took effect Feb. 1, 2026 to rebuild water and sewer reserves. The mayor’s mid-year update says major capital projects are on hold while reserves recover.
Schools
Fall 2026
New career-tech building at the high school
The $17 million bond voters approved in May 2024 pays for a new career and technical education building, safety upgrades and a 206-space parking lot. It passed without a mill levy increase.
History
2025–2026
Black Jack Battlefield now city and county owned
Baldwin City and Douglas County jointly own and manage the 38-acre battlefield east of town, and a new advisory board is planning its future.
Trash
Sept 2026
Trash day moved to Wednesday
Residential trash and recycling pickup by Green Environmental Services moved to Wednesdays starting Sept. 2, 2026.
Historical property tax
Baldwin City property taxes: rate history & 10 years of real bills
Baldwin City’s own levy is 43.39 mills in its 2026 budget, flat since 2024, and the city has proposed adding 4.316 mills for 2027. The county, USD 348 and the state make up the rest of your bill. Small town, big brick-street project: the reserves have to come from somewhere.
| Tax year | City of Baldwin City mill levy | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43.390 mills | — |
| 2025 | 43.390 mills | Flat |
| 2026 | 43.390 mills | Flat; above the 38.943 revenue-neutral rate |
| 2027 (proposed) | 47.706 mills | +4.316 proposed in Aug 2026 |
10 years of real tax bills
Median property tax on Baldwin City homes that sold, 2017–2026
What buyers actually inherited: the full annual tax bill (city, county, school and all other levies) on single-family homes sold each year. Effective rate = tax ÷ sale price.
See the numbers
| Year sold | Median annual tax | Median sale price | Effective rate | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $3,048 | $209,250 | 1.51% | 70 |
| 2018 | $3,152 | $207,250 | 1.51% | 84 |
| 2019 | $3,304 | $235,000 | 1.36% | 87 |
| 2020 | $3,470 | $245,000 | 1.31% | 87 |
| 2021 | $2,929 | $264,000 | 1.25% | 67 |
| 2022 | $3,409 | $272,000 | 1.21% | 57 |
| 2023 | $4,084 | $355,000 | 1.23% | 51 |
| 2024 | $4,432 | $339,900 | 1.34% | 63 |
| 2025 | $4,462 | $364,250 | 1.35% | 58 |
| 2026 | $5,317 | $400,000 | 1.34% | 57 |
See the builders in recent Baldwin City sales ↓
Last updated October 15, 2026 · Compare all metro cities · How we calculate this
Source: Heartland MLS (KCRAR) closed single-family sales in Baldwin City, KS, 2016–2026 (YTD), compiled by Wingman Real Estate. Homes listed only in the Lawrence MLS are not included. Tax figures are as reported in MLS at sale and may reflect the prior tax year; new construction can show land-only taxes. Not a tax quote.
10-year lookback
Price per square foot, subdivision by subdivision
Median sale price per finished square foot for single-family homes in every Baldwin City subdivision with a sale since 2016, by year sold. Darker gold means pricier per foot. Scroll sideways on a phone. 14 subdivisions, from Firetree Estates with 100+ sales down to one-sale names, so the small ones are flagged.
| Subdivision | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firetree Estates110 sales | · | $108 | $113 | $107 | $135 | $150 | $136 | $167 | $172 | $165 | $223 | +106%2017–26 |
| Signal Ridge38 sales | $88* | $91 | $94 | $103 | $122 | $159 | $186 | $140* | $159 | $140 | $263* | +55%2017–25 |
| Heritage22 sales | · | $114 | $96 | $91* | $125 | $124 | $138 | $121 | $173 | $155* | $143 | +25%2017–26 |
| Signal Oak Estates8 sales | · | · | $117 | $121* | $116 | $199* | · | · | $248* | · | · | -2%2018–20 |
| Parkside3 sales · few sales | · | · | · | · | · | · | $140* | · | $130* | $205* | · | Few sales |
| Trailside2 sales · few sales | · | · | $98* | $121* | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Breezy Summit1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | $117* | · | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Coal Creek1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | · | $136* | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Creekwood Estates1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | $71* | · | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Hills West1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | $127* | · | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Irvine Walters1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | $122* | · | · | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Prairie Estates1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | · | · | $143* | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Wakarusa Ridge Estates1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | $187* | · | · | · | Few sales |
| Willow Springs1 sale · few sales | · | · | · | · | · | · | $155* | · | · | · | · | Few sales |
Source: Heartland MLS (KCRAR), Lawrence Board of REALTORS MLS and Sunflower MLS closed single-family sales in Baldwin City, KS, 2016–2026 (YTD), combined and de-duplicated by Wingman Real Estate. Every subdivision name that appears on a Baldwin City sale is listed, spelled as the MLS has it; homes with no subdivision name (most original-town lots) are left out. * = one sale that year, so treat it as a single data point. Percent change is shown only for subdivisions with 8+ sales. Methodology.
Baldwin City subdivisions
Neighborhoods we’ve walked, photographed and researched
Most of Baldwin City is original-town lots and acreage, so only a few neighborhoods carry a subdivision name. Each guide covers lots, builders, HOA status and what’s for sale now.
Firetree Estates
Established ranches and two-stories since about 2000, no HOA, still adding new homes.
New construction
Builders in recent Baldwin City sales
The builders named on new-construction sales in Baldwin City in the last few years, from MLS records. Builder names are as entered in the MLS. Most Baldwin City building happens one lot at a time, so ask us who is building where right now. Compare builders across the metro →
Drippé Homes
Builds custom and move-in-ready new homes in ranch, two-story and split-level plans of about 1,470 to 3,220 sq ft. Based in St. Marys, Kansas, it lists Heritage Addition in Baldwin City among its communities, along with Fairfield Farms in Lawrence and Shadow Ridge in Eudora.
Advance Builders
Listed as the builder on recent Baldwin City home sales in the MLS. Ask us which homes they built here and whether they have anything underway.
Cedar Valley Homes
Listed as the builder on recent Baldwin City home sales in the MLS. Ask us which homes they built here and whether they have anything underway.
CC Building
Listed as the builder on recent Baldwin City home sales in the MLS. Ask us which homes they built here and whether they have anything underway.
Cameron Christian
Listed as the builder on recent Baldwin City home sales in the MLS. Ask us which homes they built here and whether they have anything underway.
Moving in
Baldwin City utility providers
The city owns the electric, water and sewer systems, so most of your utilities come on one city bill. Electric power is bought through KMEA, and water comes from the City of Lawrence.
City of Baldwin City
Outages: 785-594-5168 · power through KMEA, about 60% renewable
City of Baldwin City Utility Billing
City Hall, 803 8th St. · 2026 rates effective Feb. 1
Green Environmental Services
City contract, billed by the city · pickup on Wednesdays since Sept. 2, 2026 · recycling is optional
Several providers by address
Cable, fiber and fixed-wireless coverage varies street to street. Check an exact address before you buy.
Community Development
1015 Orange St. · fences, sheds and building permits
Sources: City of Baldwin City utility billing, electric generation and news pages (2026). Confirm service for a specific address before you move.
Local guide
Where to eat, shop and see a doctor
Named places in and around Baldwin City, all in one spot. Tap a button to filter. Hours and ownership change, so call ahead. (Nobody paid to be on this list; we just like to eat.) Photos show the part of town, not the business itself.
Baldwin City Beer Company
Downtown brewery and brewpub at 520 High Street, with house beers and a food menu you can order online.
Wooden Spoke
American restaurant and steakhouse at 309 Ames Street, a short walk from the Baker University campus.
Uplift Coffee Shop
Coffee shop at 112 6th Street, just off High Street, for espresso drinks and a quick stop before work.
Quilters’ Paradise
Quilting fabric and supply shop at 713 8th Street in downtown Baldwin City. Fitting, in the Quilt Capital of Kansas.
Baldwin City Made by Great Plains Promo
Baldwin City-branded apparel and promotional goods at 707 8th Street.
Baldwin Feed Company
Feed and farm supply store at 1600 High Street, handy for acreage owners and anyone with a hungry flock.
Auburn Pharmacy
Local pharmacy at 400 Ames Street, a longtime member of the Baldwin City Economic Development Corporation.
LMH Health Primary Care
Primary care clinic run by LMH Health of Lawrence, at 406 Ames Street.
Baldwin City Dental
General dental office at 414 Ames Street.
i360md
Primary care and wellness practice at 705 High Street.
Lumberyard Arts Center
Gallery, concerts and classes downtown at 718 High Street.
Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street. Programs, Wi-Fi and a solid local history shelf.
Living in Baldwin City
Santa Fe Trail stop, college town, Quilt Capital of Kansas: history, jobs and parks
Palmyra on the Santa Fe Trail
The first settlers arrived in 1854 at Palmyra, a stop on the Santa Fe Trail. The town was renamed Baldwin City in 1862 for John Baldwin, the benefactor of its new college. Wagon ruts are still visible near Black Jack.
Baker University, 1858
Baker is the first university in Kansas. Its Osborne Chapel was moved stone by stone from Sproxton, England, and dedicated by Margaret Thatcher in 1996. Not your average campus chapel.
Maple leaves and quilts
The Maple Leaf Festival began in 1958, inspired by Baker biology professor Dr. Ivan Boyd, and still fills downtown the third full weekend of October. In 2019 the Kansas Senate named Baldwin City the Quilt Capital of Kansas.
Where people work
Baker University keeps its main campus in Baldwin City, and Baldwin City USD 348 runs four schools in town, so education is a mainstay of the local workforce. Health care is close by too, with LMH Health operating a primary care clinic on Ames Street. Local manufacturing and trade businesses such as Rice Precision Manufacturing, Heritage Tractor and McFarlane Aviation are members of the Baldwin City Economic Development Corporation. Many residents commute, since the city sits about 12 miles south of Lawrence and 15 miles west of Gardner.
Parks & outdoors
The best-known outdoor spot is Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park at 163 E. 2000th Road, a 38-acre site with nature trails, restored prairie, picnic areas, a sugar maple grove, Captain’s Creek and the historic Robert Hall Pearson farmhouse. Baldwin City and Douglas County bought the park jointly in late 2025, and a joint advisory board is now shaping its future. Next door, the Ivan Boyd Prairie Preserve is maintained by the Santa Fe Trail Historical Society of Douglas County.
Sources: Legends of Kansas · KCUR · Maple Leaf Festival · Lawrence Journal-World
City rules
Can I do that in Baldwin City?
The questions buyers ask before the fence goes up, from Baldwin City code, permit pages and local reporting. Rules change and HOA covenants can be stricter, so confirm with the city before you build.
Fences
Baldwin City requires a permit for a new fence, and for extending one or replacing half or more of its length. Front-yard fences top out at 3 feet and must be decorative (wrought iron, picket or split rail; privacy and chain link are not allowed in front), while fences elsewhere can reach 8 feet. No fences in road right-of-way or platted easements, and call 811 before you dig.
Fireworks
In 2026, fireworks were allowed in city limits June 28 through July 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and July 3–4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Bottle rockets and similar flying fireworks are against city code. Dates can shift year to year, so check the city’s annual notice.
Open burning
You need a free burn permit from City Hall (803 8th Street) to burn leaves, straw, grass or limbs under four inches across. Trash, garbage and construction debris can’t be burned or buried in city limits, and the city follows Douglas County’s daily burn ban decisions.
Dog licenses
Every dog living in city limits needs a city tag, due within 30 days of moving in. Tags cost $10, or $5 for a spayed or neutered dog, require proof of rabies vaccination, and must be renewed by January 31 each year.
Pools and spas
Installing a swimming pool or spa calls for a city building permit. The application asks for a site plan with setbacks and a fence plan showing barrier height and a self-latching gate, and all electrical work must be done by a licensed master electrician.
Trash
Trash is collected by Green Environmental Services, and you must use the carts they provide; personal bins aren’t accepted. Carts go out by 6 a.m., and recycling cannot be bagged.
Chickens
Hens and ducks are allowed, up to 20 birds total regardless of lot size, but roosters are not allowed anywhere in city limits. Birds must have a coop or shelter that is screened or walled against predators and kept clean and sanitary. Other fowl such as turkeys, geese and peafowl are not allowed (City Code 2-505).
Snow removal
Owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from sidewalks next to their lot within 12 hours after snowfall stops, or within 12 hours after sunrise if it falls overnight; sand, ashes or a noncorrosive melt is acceptable when ice cannot be removed. If you do not clear it, the city can do it and bill the cost to your property taxes, and fines run up to 25 dollars (City Code 13-401 to 13-405). Once snow reaches 2 inches, no parking is allowed on posted emergency snow routes until they are plowed (14-203).
Short-term rentals
Baldwin City has approved short-term rentals one property at a time through conditional use permits adopted by City Council ordinance, for example Ordinances 1499, 1501 and 1502. Before listing a home, check with Community Development at 785-594-6907.
Building permits
Baldwin City requires a permit before you construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change a building or structure. A residential permit application needs a site plan showing setback lines, two sets of construction drawings, and engineered truss drawings sealed by a Kansas-licensed engineer. The city’s residential packet lists the 2003 International Residential Code as its adopted code.
Building inspections
Most building inspections need at least 24 hours’ notice and are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through the Codes Department at 785-594-6907. Permit fees must be paid before inspections begin, and the final inspection requires utility accounts to be set up first.
Solar
Baldwin City runs its own electric utility, and homeowners who want to connect solar or other customer-owned generation must use the city’s Customer-Owned Renewable Energy Generation Facilities interconnection agreement, posted on the Community Development page. Call Community Development at 785-594-6907 before installing.
Lawn height and weeds
Under City Code Sec. 8-402(e), weeds and grasses on residential lots over 12 inches tall are presumed blighting. After notice, the owner has 10 days to cut them (Sec. 8-403), and notice is only required once per calendar year. If the owner does not act, the city can mow and bill the owner, with payment due in 30 days or the cost added to the property as a special assessment (Sec. 8-404).
Inoperable vehicles
A junked, wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicle kept on private property for more than 30 consecutive days can be declared a nuisance under City Code Chapter VIII, Article 3. Vehicles stored inside a garage or other building, or behind screening that blocks public view, are exempt (Sec. 8-303). Once ordered, the owner has 10 days to remove the vehicle or request a hearing (Sec. 8-308).
Pet limits
City Code Sec. 2-206(a) limits each household to four dogs and four cats over six months old, plus one litter of puppies or kittens. Commercial breeding, selling, training or boarding of dogs or cats requires a kennel license from the city clerk, renewed every year.
RV, boat and trailer parking
Parking any vehicle, trailer or farm implement on the street is banned on Baldwin City’s designated truck routes, including Ames Street (US-56), Sixth Street and High Street, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except postal holidays (Sec. 14-208 and 14-206). Any vehicle or trailer parked on a public street or city lot must have a current, registered plate (Sec. 14-211).
Driveways
Baldwin City’s residential building permit packet requires a site plan that shows the driveway and its distance to the side property lines. During construction, builders must reach the site through the planned driveway entrance, which must be rocked for all-weather access. Questions go to the Codes Department at 785-594-6907.
Noise and quiet hours
Outdoor power tools in residential areas can’t cause a noise disturbance across a property line between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., and radios or instruments are restricted from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The limit in agricultural and residential districts is 60 dB continuous or 80 dB impulsive sound (Sections 11-304 and 11-305).
Livestock
Livestock such as horses, cattle, goats and sheep can’t be kept on a lot, or in an enclosure or building, within 300 feet of another person’s residence. Swine are not allowed anywhere in the city (Sections 2-109 and 2-110).
Golf carts and UTVs
Golf carts may run sunrise to sunset on city streets posted 30 mph or less, with a licensed driver and liability insurance, and never on sidewalks (Sec. 14-502). UTVs must be registered with the Baldwin City Police Department ($50 first year, $25 renewal, sticker valid through Dec. 31), need a driver 16 or older with a valid license, and are barred from streets posted above 45 mph (Sec. 14-503).
Exotic and prohibited animals
City code bans keeping dangerous wild animals such as bears, big cats, wolves, apes, raccoons, skunks, poisonous animals, constrictor snakes 6 feet or longer and crocodilians 30 inches or longer (Sec. 2-501). It also bans warm-blooded carnivorous or omnivorous wild or exotic animals, with ferrets, fowl and small lab rodents excluded (Sec. 2-502).
Junk and debris
Trash, lumber, rocks, dirt, cans, scrap metal, stagnant water and abandoned refrigerators with doors attached are health nuisances (Sec. 8-201). After a written order, the owner has 10 days to clean up or request a hearing; fines run up to $100 per day, and the city can abate and bill the cost to the property (Secs. 8-206 to 8-210).
Yard waste in the street
Yard waste may not be put in gutters, streets or other public places, and property owners must remove yard waste from adjacent public areas within 12 hours (Sec. 11-215). Violations carry fines up to $100, and the city can clean up and assess the cost on the tax roll.
Door-to-door sales
Peddlers, solicitors and canvassers need a license from the city clerk: a $50 application fee plus $10 a day (capped at $200 per six months), and selling is limited to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the licensed days. People selling farm or orchard products they grew themselves are exempt from the fee (Code Chapter V, Article 2).
Sidewalk repair
The owner of the abutting property must keep the sidewalk in repair; the city can make repairs after 15 days’ notice and bill the cost to the property. New or rebuilt sidewalks need plans approved by the council and a permit from the city clerk (Code Chapter XIII, Article 1).
Sources for the city news, rules, utilities and local guide (checked October 27, 2026)
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- bakeru.edu
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- en.wikipedia.org
- baldwincitychamber.com
- baldwincitychamber.com
- baldwincitychamber.com
- toasttab.com
- toasttab.com
- tripadvisor.com
- baldwincity.gov
- dgcoks.gov
- dgcoks.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- www2.ljworld.com
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- lawrencekstimes.com
- publicpower.org
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- cdn.prod.website-files.com
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincityks.citycode.net
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.gov
- baldwincity.substack.com
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincity.citycode.net
- baldwincity.citycode.net
Sales tax
How Baldwin City’s sales tax compares
Baldwin City’s combined state, county and city sales tax is 9.25% inside city limits, and 2.75% on groceries (Kansas dropped its state tax on food in 2025, so only local tax is left on groceries). Here is how that stacks up against nearby cities, lowest to highest. Same sandwich, different zip code, different receipt.
| City | County | Sales tax | Groceries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Quivira (no city sales tax) | Johnson | 7.975% | 1.475% |
| Easton | Leavenworth | 8.5% | 2.0% |
| Linwood | Leavenworth | 8.5% | 2.0% |
| McLouth | Jefferson | 8.5% | 2.0% |
| Willard | Shawnee | 8.6% | 2.1% |
| Rossville | Shawnee | 8.85% | 2.35% |
| Silver Lake | Shawnee | 8.85% | 2.35% |
| Mission Woods | Johnson | 8.975% | 2.475% |
| Prairie Village | Johnson | 8.975% | 2.475% |
| Westwood Hills | Johnson | 8.975% | 2.475% |
| Basehor | Leavenworth | 9.0% | 2.5% |
| Lane | Franklin | 9.0% | 2.5% |
| Leawood | Johnson | 9.1% | 2.6% |
| Mission Hills | Johnson | 9.225% | 2.725% |
| Baldwin City | Douglas | 9.25% | 2.75% |
| Tonganoxie | Leavenworth | 9.25% | 2.75% |
| Auburn | Shawnee | 9.35% | 2.85% |
| Lawrence | Douglas | 9.35% | 2.85% |
| Lenexa | Johnson | 9.35% | 2.85% |
| Overland Park | Johnson | 9.35% | 2.85% |
| Topeka | Shawnee | 9.35% | 2.85% |
| Lansing | Leavenworth | 9.4% | 2.9% |
| Gardner | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Merriam | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Olathe | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Roeland Park | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Spring Hill | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Westwood | Johnson | 9.475% | 2.975% |
| Eudora | Douglas | 9.5% | 3.0% |
| Leavenworth | Leavenworth | 9.5% | 3.0% |
| Lecompton | Douglas | 9.5% | 3.0% |
| Wellsville | Franklin | 9.5% | 3.0% |
| Shawnee | Johnson | 9.6% | 3.1% |
| De Soto | Johnson | 9.725% | 3.225% |
| Mission | Johnson | 9.725% | 3.225% |
| Edgerton | Johnson | 9.975% | 3.475% |
| Fairway | Johnson | 9.975% | 3.475% |
Source: Kansas Department of Revenue city rate file, October 2026. Homes outside city limits pay the county rate instead. Rates can differ by address, so check the KDOR address lookup before you budget. This is sales tax; property tax is in the tax history above.
Baldwin City FAQ
Baldwin City, KS: the questions people ask most
Is Baldwin City, KS a good place to live?
Baldwin City is a small Douglas County college town of about 4,800 people, home to Baker University, with its own school district (USD 348) and city-owned electric, water and sewer. It sits about 15 miles south of Lawrence on US-56, with a historic downtown, the Lumberyard Arts Center and the Maple Leaf Festival every October. See what’s for sale in Baldwin City.
What county is Baldwin City, KS in?
Baldwin City is in Douglas County, Kansas (ZIP code 66006). That means Douglas County services and levies, and the same county as Lawrence and Eudora. Compare Douglas County cities.
What is the population of Baldwin City, KS?
Baldwin City had 4,826 residents in the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimate is 4,911.
How much do homes cost in Baldwin City, KS?
The median single-family sale price was $371,950 for homes sold from January 2024 through October 2026 in the Heartland MLS (178 sales), about $184 per finished square foot. Some Baldwin City homes are listed only in the Lawrence MLS and aren’t included in that figure. See live prices by neighborhood.
What are property taxes in Baldwin City, KS?
Homes that sold from 2024 to 2026 paid a median of $4,668 a year in property tax, an effective rate of about 1.34% of the sale price. The city’s own levy is 43.39 mills in its 2026 budget, and the city proposed adding 4.316 mills for 2027. County, school and state levies are added on top. See 10 years of tax bills.
What school district is Baldwin City, KS in?
Baldwin City is served by USD 348, with a primary center (PreK–2), an intermediate center (3–5), Baldwin Junior High and Baldwin High School. Voters approved a $17 million bond in May 2024 for a new career and technical education building and safety upgrades. See USD 348 schools.
How far is Baldwin City from Kansas City?
Baldwin City is about 15 miles south of Lawrence and roughly 45 to 50 miles from downtown Kansas City. Most commuters take US-56 east toward Gardner and Olathe or US-59 north to Lawrence. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
What is Baldwin City, KS known for?
Baldwin City is known for Baker University (founded 1858), the Maple Leaf Festival, its Santa Fe Trail history and the Battle of Black Jack site. The Kansas Senate named it the Quilt Capital of Kansas in 2019.
When is the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City?
The 2026 Maple Leaf Festival is Oct. 17–18, the third full weekend of October. Expect a Saturday parade, 300+ craft booths, a quilt show and a 5K. Parking fills early, so arrive before the parade.
Does the Midland Railway train still run in Baldwin City?
Midland Railway excursion rides stopped in March 2020. Ottawa Northern Railroad acquired the line and has said excursions are in the works, but no 2026 schedule has been published. The 1906 Santa Fe Depot is still downtown.
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Baldwin City, KS?
Yes. The city publishes a fence building permit application, so check with Community Development (785-594-6907) before you build. The same office handles shed and other building permits. If the home is in an HOA, its rules apply too. Check HOA and city rules.
Who provides utilities in Baldwin City, KS?
The City of Baldwin City provides electric, water and sewer service, and contracts with Green Environmental Services for trash and recycling. Everything bills through the city at 785-594-6427. Water is purchased from the City of Lawrence.
Are fireworks legal in Baldwin City for the 4th of July?
Yes, within set dates and hours. In 2026 the city allowed fireworks June 28 through July 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and July 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Bottle rockets and other flying fireworks are not allowed under city code. The city posts the rules each summer, so check before you light anything.
When is trash pickup in Baldwin City?
Under the schedule that started September 2, 2026, trash day is Wednesday for every zone, with carts at the curb by 6 a.m. Curbside recycling, run by Green Environmental Services, is picked up the fourth Wednesday of the month, and you sign up at City Hall. Bulky-item pickup rotates by zone on the first, second or third Wednesday.
Do I need to register my dog in Baldwin City?
Yes. Dogs living in city limits need a city tag within 30 days of moving in, available at City Hall or Companion Animal Hospital on Ames Street. Bring proof of rabies vaccination; the tag is $10, or $5 if the dog is spayed or neutered. Tags expire each December and must be renewed by January 31.
What is Baker University?
Baker University is a private university in Baldwin City, chartered on February 12, 1858, and it bills itself as the first four-year university in Kansas. Three buildings on its Baldwin City campus are on the National Register of Historic Places. Baker serves nearly 4,000 students across its campuses and online programs.
Is there a doctor or dentist in Baldwin City, KS?
Yes. LMH Health Primary Care – Baldwin City is at 406 Ames Street, i360md offers primary care at 705 High Street, and Baldwin City Dental is at 414 Ames Street. Auburn Pharmacy at 400 Ames Street fills prescriptions in town, and the full LMH Health hospital is about 12 miles north in Lawrence.
What is Black Jack Battlefield near Baldwin City?
It is the site of the June 2, 1856 Battle of Black Jack, a National Historic Landmark since 2012. The 38-acre park at 163 E. 2000th Road has nature trails, restored prairie, picnic areas and the historic Pearson farmhouse, and it has been jointly owned by Baldwin City and Douglas County since late 2025.
Can I keep horses or goats on my property in Baldwin City, KS?
Only if the animals are kept more than 300 feet from any home other than your own. City code Section 2-109 bars keeping livestock closer than that, and Section 2-110 bans pigs anywhere in the city.
What are the quiet hours in Baldwin City?
Outdoor power tools can’t disturb neighbors between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., and radios or music can’t carry across a property line between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Muffled lawn equipment is exempt from the noise limits from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (City Code Article 11-3).
Can I drive a golf cart or UTV on Baldwin City streets?
Yes, with limits. Golf carts are allowed from sunrise to sunset on streets posted 30 mph or less, with a licensed driver and liability insurance. UTVs must be registered with the Baldwin City Police Department ($50 the first year, $25 to renew) and can’t be driven on streets posted above 45 mph (City Code Secs. 14-502 and 14-503).
What is the sales tax rate in Baldwin City?
9.25% inside city limits as of October 2026 (state, Douglas County and city combined), and 2.75% on groceries (local tax only; Kansas dropped its state sales tax on food on Jan. 1, 2025). Nearby, rates run from 7.975% in Lake Quivira to 9.975% in Fairway. Rates can differ by address. Look up any address with the Kansas Department of Revenue rate locator. Source: Kansas Department of Revenue, October 2026.
Can I ride an e-bike or e-scooter on the sidewalk in Baldwin City?
No. Ordinance 1540, passed Oct. 20, 2026, bans riding e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks and requires riders to walk them in the downtown area.
Does Baldwin City hold a citywide cleanup day?
Yes. The city holds a fall citywide cleanup; in 2026 it ran Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1015 Orange Street. Check the city’s calendar at baldwincity.gov for the next date.
Which building codes does Baldwin City use?
The city is updating to the 2024 International codes (building, residential, existing building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, property maintenance and pool/spa) and the 2026 National Electrical Code through Ordinance 1542, which was on the Nov. 3, 2026 council agenda. Confirm with City Hall at 785-594-6427 which edition applies to your permit.
Who has to fix the sidewalk in front of my house in Baldwin City?
The property owner. Baldwin City’s code makes the owner of the abutting property responsible for keeping the sidewalk in repair. If it isn’t fixed, the city can do the work after giving 15 days’ notice and assess the cost against the property. Building or rebuilding a sidewalk requires a permit from the city clerk.
Do door-to-door salespeople need a permit in Baldwin City?
Yes. Peddlers, solicitors and canvassers must have a license from the city clerk, and licensed sellers may go door to door only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the days listed on their license. People selling farm or orchard products they produced themselves are exempt from the fee.
Sources: KU Institute for Policy & Social Research (2020 Census) · Census Reporter (ACS 2020–2024) · Kansas municipal budgets · Lawrence Journal-World · USD 348 · Maple Leaf Festival · Midland Railway · City of Baldwin City · Heartland MLS closed sales, Jan. 2024–Oct. 2026.
Buying or selling in Baldwin City?
Thinking about Baldwin City? Beat the Maple Leaf crowd to it.
We track every Baldwin City listing, plat and council vote, so you hear about the good ones first.
Full-service real estate across the Kansas City metro, Lawrence and Topeka, on both the Kansas and Missouri sides.
(913) 543-3332
Angela@shopwithshopper.com
7300 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS 66210
Buy & Sell
Wingman Real Estate – The Shopper Team is a team of licensed real estate agents brokered by REAL Broker, LLC. Licensed in Kansas and Missouri. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2026 Wingman Real Estate – The Shopper Team. Privacy Policy · Terms