Communities › Lyon County › Emporia, KS 66801
Emporia, Kansas
The Lyon County seat on I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike: about 24,000 people, Emporia State University, the founding city of Veterans Day and a downtown that fills with gravel cyclists every spring.
What’s new in EmporiaProperty taxesEmporia schools (USD 253)City rulesLocal guide
Emporia is the Lyon County seat, a Kansas city of 24,137 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, July 2025 estimate) on I-35, the Kansas Turnpike and US-50, and home to Emporia State University. Our MLS feeds have no Emporia home sales on record, so this page does not show a median sale price or a tax-bill history. Ask us and we will pull comparable sales on request. The city levy is 46.007 mills on 2025 bills and is held flat for 2027, the combined sales tax rate is 8.5%, and Emporia city addresses are in Emporia USD 253.
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What’s new in Emporia
What the city is approving, building and putting on the ballot
Pulled from council agendas, city news releases and local reporting. We update this block as new items hit the agenda.
Nov 3, 2026
Three city questions on the ballot
Voters decide a quarter-cent city sales tax for recreation (a new rec facility near Jones Aquatic Center plus Lee Beran Rec Center upgrades, nearly $24 to $25 million in all), a 10-year ban on high-impact data centers and a ban on battery energy storage systems.
Oct 2026
Data center proposal heads to voters and court
In July the commission approved zoning and water policies for a proposed 1,000-acre data center campus at G and 190 roads. A petition put a 10-year ban on the Nov. 3 ballot, and landowners have sued over the zoning. No end user or development agreement exists. See Data Center Watch.
Oct 2026
Commercial Street storm sewer contract
The commission awarded a $540,958 contract to S.R. Coffman Construction for storm sewer work on Commercial St. from 8th to 10th avenues. Work starts Jan. 4, 2027, runs about four months and shifts lanes.
Sept 16, 2026
2027 budget holds the levy flat
The city adopted its 2027 budget at 46.007 mills, unchanged and above the 44.528-mill revenue neutral rate. The General Fund reserve is projected at about $2.4 million by the end of 2027, and the city estimates about $361 million in capital needs over 10 years.
May 2026
Stormont Vail breaks ground on a $35 million campus
The new campus near 18th Ave. and Road G will offer primary and specialty care, imaging and lab services. It is expected to open in 2028.
Apr 2026
Cedarbrook Meadows gets final approval
The commission unanimously approved the final plat and development agreement for 124 single-family homes on about 30 acres at 4500 W. 18th Ave., backed by a 25-year housing incentive district. Homes were described at about $200,000 to $300,000.
Mar 2026
48 apartments planned on Whittier Street
The former Abundant Harvest site at 1028 Whittier St. was rezoned for a 48-unit apartment building and a food pantry by Merak Development.
Nov 2025
QuikTrip breaks ground at Flint Hills Crossing
The 7,000-plus-sq-ft store near the I-35, Turnpike and US-50 roundabouts comes with a new road to Graphic Arts Rd. Ulta and PetSmart were also announced for Emporia Pavilions.
Historical property tax
Emporia property taxes: rate history & 10 years of real bills
Emporia’s city levy is 46.007 mills on 2025 bills (the 2026 budget), about 27% of the 170.910-mill total inside city limits (city, Emporia USD 253, the Emporia Recreation Commission, Lyon County and the state). The 2027 budget, adopted Sept. 16, 2026, holds the city rate flat. At 46.007 mills, the city portion comes to about $529 a year on a $100,000 home.
| Tax year | City of Emporia mill levy | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 (2023 budget) | 44.426 | — |
| 2023 (2024 budget) | 44.604 | Up 0.178 |
| 2024 (2025 budget) | 46.119 | Up 1.515 |
| 2025 (2026 budget) | 46.007 | Down 0.112 |
| 2026 (2027 budget) | 46.007 | Flat; adopted Sept. 16, 2026 |
10 years of real tax bills
Median property tax on Emporia homes that sold, 2016–2025
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.
Source: Our MLS data feeds have no closed Emporia, KS home sales on record, so there is no MLS tax-bill history to chart. We can pull comparable sales for a specific Emporia home on request. 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.
Moving in
Emporia utility providers
Evergy supplies electric and Kansas Gas Service supplies natural gas, while the City of Emporia handles water, sewer and trash on one bill with no deposit. Fiber is easy to find: one network already reaches nearly every address, and a second is under construction.
City of Emporia
104 E. 5th Ave. No deposit; a $15 service fee on the first bill. Water emergencies: 620-343-4225
City of Emporia
Weekly curbside pickup, day set by address; billed with water and sewer
Sparklight · IdeaTek
Sparklight (formerly ValuNet Fiber, number shown) reaches about every address; IdeaTek (620-543-5555) is building a second fiber network
Sources: City of Emporia new-customer information and utility FAQ; Emporia Area Chamber directory; IdeaTek; Evergy; Kansas Gas Service. Confirm service for a specific address before you move.
Local guide
Where to eat, shop and see a doctor
A few local favorites to start. Errands, food and things to do, verified from local reporting.
Living in Emporia
Founded as a trading town in 1857, the birthplace of Veterans Day
The founding city of Veterans Day
In 1953 Emporia shoe-shop owner Alvin J. King proposed turning Armistice Day into a day for all veterans, and Emporia held the first observance that year. Rep. Ed Rees of Emporia carried the bill, President Eisenhower signed it June 1, 1954, and Congress recognized Emporia as the founding city in 2003.
William Allen White's Gazette
White bought the Emporia Gazette with $3,000 he borrowed, and his editorial “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” made him nationally known. His home, Red Rocks, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
A teachers' college since 1863
The Kansas Legislature created Kansas State Normal School, now Emporia State University, in 1863. Lyman Kellogg was its first president and only teacher, and the first term began Feb. 15, 1865. The town itself was founded in 1857 and named for an ancient trading center near Carthage.
Sources: H. Con. Res. 159 (2003) · Visit Emporia · Wikipedia: Emporia, Kansas
Emporia FAQ
Emporia, KS: the questions people ask most
What county is Emporia, KS in?
Emporia is in Lyon County, Kansas, and is the county seat. It sits on I-35, I-335, the Kansas Turnpike, US-50 and K-99.
What is the zip code for Emporia, KS?
Emporia’s zip code is 66801. City Hall, the school district office and most city addresses use 66801.
What is the population of Emporia, KS?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Emporia at 24,137 people as of July 1, 2025. The 2020 Census counted 24,139, so the population has held essentially flat.
How much do homes cost in Emporia, KS?
Our MLS feeds have no Emporia home sales on record, so we do not publish a median price for Emporia. Ask us and we will pull comparable sales for the home or area you are considering. Request Emporia comps.
What are property taxes in Emporia, KS?
The city levy is 46.007 mills on 2025 bills, out of 170.910 mills for all taxing units inside city limits. That works out to about $529 a year in city tax on a $100,000 home. The 2027 budget holds the city rate flat. See the levy history.
What school district is Emporia in?
Emporia city addresses are in Emporia USD 253, which runs elementary schools, Emporia Middle School and Emporia High School. The board voted to close Logan Avenue Elementary at the end of the 2026-27 school year. The district office is 620-341-2200.
What is the sales tax rate in Emporia, KS?
The combined base rate is 8.5%: 6.5% state, 1% Lyon County and 1% city. Some shopping districts charge 9.5% to 10.5%, and a quarter-cent recreation tax is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. See Tax Watch.
Who provides utilities in Emporia?
Evergy provides electric, Kansas Gas Service provides natural gas, and the City of Emporia handles water, sewer and trash on one bill (620-343-4244). There is no deposit for city utilities. Sparklight fiber reaches nearly every address, and IdeaTek is building a second fiber network.
What new homes are coming to Emporia?
Cedarbrook Meadows, 124 single-family homes at 4500 W. 18th Ave., received final approval in April 2026. A 48-unit apartment building on Whittier St. was rezoned in March 2026.
What is Emporia known for?
Being the founding city of Veterans Day, William Allen White and the Emporia Gazette, Emporia State University, Unbound Gravel and disc golf. It also has a zoo with free admission, which is a hard price to beat.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts · League of Kansas Municipalities tax tables · Kansas sales tax rates · Emporia USD 253 · City of Emporia · KVOE · Emporia Gazette.
City rules
Can I do that in Emporia?
The questions buyers ask before the fence goes up, from Emporia code, permit pages and local reporting. Rules change and HOA covenants can be stricter, so confirm with the city before you build.
Fences
Emporia does not require a fence permit, but height limits in Section 20-9 still apply. Side-yard fences may be 4 feet tall and rear-yard fences up to 6 feet 6 inches. Corner lots count as having two front yards.
Sheds
A storage shed with more than 120 sq. ft. of floor area needs a building permit; 120 sq. ft. or less does not. A deck needs a permit if it is 30 inches or more above grade or will have a roof. Detached accessory buildings must sit behind the front building line and at least 5 feet from the main house.
Chickens
With an annual city permit (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31), residents may keep up to six hens. Roosters and swine are not allowed. Coops go in the rear yard only, at least 10 feet from lot lines and 50 feet from neighboring dwellings, schools and businesses. Livestock is allowed only on lots over one acre, and approval is not automatic.
Fireworks
Class C (1.4G) consumer fireworks may be set off June 27 through July 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., extended to 11 p.m. on July 3 and 4. Bottle rockets and sky lanterns are banned, as is setting off fireworks on streets, in city parks or within 200 feet of a hospital or nursing home. Violations carry fines of $100 to $500.
Home businesses
A home occupation may use no more than 15 percent of the dwelling’s floor area or 250 sq. ft. It may have no more than one employee or volunteer besides the residents, and outdoor display or storage of business materials is prohibited (Zoning Sec. 7.5.1).
RV and boat parking
On residential lots, RVs may be kept in the side or rear yard, must be registered (or have lapsed within six months), and must sit on approved hard surfacing. Motor homes and campers may not be lived in. Boats and trailers may not be stored in the front setback, and commercial trucks may not park overnight in residential areas.
Pools
Swimming pools 36 inches deep or more must be enclosed by a fence or wall at least 42 inches high, with no gaps over 6 inches and a self-closing gate.
Occupancy
In single-family zoning districts, no more than four unrelated people may live together, and single-family districts allow one living unit per lot.
Local guide
Where to eat, shop and see a doctor
Named places in and near Emporia. Hours and ownership change, so call ahead. (Nobody paid to be on this list; we just like to eat.)
Where to eat
- Commercial Street Diner — All-American breakfast at 614 Commercial St., known for oversized pancakes and hash browns.
- J’s Carryout — Burgers out of a small 1950s-style building at 27 Commercial St.
- Taqueria Agaves — Family-run spot at 409 Commercial St. cooking Jalisco- and Michoacán-style Mexican food.
- Hagaya Sushi & Ramen Shop — Tonkotsu and yuzu ramen, plus sushi, at 1111 Commercial St.
- Gravel City Roasters — Coffee roaster at 715 Commercial St. with house blends and breakfast items.
- The Sweet Granada Chocolate Cafe — Handmade chocolates, macarons and fudge next to the Granada Theatre at 803 Commercial St.
Where to shop
- Middle Ground Books — Downtown bookstore with reading nooks and sandwiches at 606 Commercial St.
- Tallgrass Art & Frame — Custom framing and Flint Hills prints at 615 Commercial St.
- High Gear Cyclery — Bike shop at 520 Commercial St., a natural stop in a gravel-racing town.
- Trox Gallery and Gifts — Gallery and gift shop with work by local artists at 715 Commercial St.
- Fanestil’s Fresh Local Market — Farm-to-table meat, produce, dairy and Kansas-made goods at 4700 W. US Hwy 50.
- Emporia Farmers Market — Local produce, baked goods and crafts at 7th Avenue and Merchant Street.
Doctors & clinics
- Newman Regional Health — Lyon County’s hospital at 1201 W. 12th Ave., with cardiology, orthopedics, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, imaging and lab services; (620) 343-6800.
- Newman Regional Health Express Care — Walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries at 1301 W. 12th Ave.; (620) 343-7828.
- Newman Regional Health Medical Partners – Family Medicine — The hospital’s primary-care practice; existing patients call (620) 343-2376.
Living in Emporia
Emporia history, jobs and parks
A little history
Emporia was founded in 1857 and incorporated in 1870. Its name refers to the ancient trading cities of the Carthage region, a hopeful choice for a prairie town. Emporia State University traces its founding to 1863, and the private College of Emporia operated from 1882 to 1974. Newspaper editor William Allen White made the town nationally known, and his home, Red Rocks, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Emporia also held the nation’s first Veterans Day observance in 1953, after local shoe-repair shop owner Alvin J. King pushed to rename Armistice Day.
Where people work
Emporia’s major employers include Emporia State University, Newman Regional Health, USD 253, city and county government, Hostess Brands’ bakery, Hopkins Manufacturing and Simmons Pet Food. The Braum’s chain began here in 1952 as Peter Pan. Tyson’s beef plant, which once employed more than 2,400 people, closed permanently on Feb. 14, 2025, after a December 2024 announcement. The city adopted its 2027 budget on Sept. 16, 2026, holding the levy flat at about 46.0 mills, and Lyon County chose not to exceed its revenue-neutral rate for 2027.
Parks & outdoors
The city runs about 20 parks. The biggest is 51.7-acre Peter Pan Park, with a rebuilt 4-acre fishing lake, a splash pad, an 18-basket disc golf course and ball fields. Soden’s Grove Park holds the free David Traylor Zoo (open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), a miniature train on summer evenings and the historic Marsh Arch Bridge. Swimmers use the Jones Aquatic Center in 80-acre Northwest Park and the Emporia Recreation Center at 313 W. 4th Ave., and golfers have the city-owned, 18-hole, par-71 Emporia Municipal Golf Course on South Highway 99.
Sources for the city news, rules, utilities and local guide (checked October 25, 2026)
Buying or selling in Emporia?
Thinking about Emporia? We’ll bring the comps.
Our MLS feeds do not carry Emporia sales, so we pull comparable sales by hand for any home you are considering, and we track every commission vote from Cedarbrook Meadows to the west-edge rezoning.
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