CountyScore

Barber County

Kansas · KS

#75 in Kansas
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Barber County, Kansas

Barber County exceeds the national livability standard

Barber County's composite score of 65.7 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 31%, demonstrating solid livability compared to typical American counties. This advantage stems primarily from exceptional housing affordability and manageable tax levels.

Slightly below Kansas' average position

Barber County's 65.7 score falls just 0.3 points below Kansas' state average of 66.0, placing it virtually at the middle of the state's livability rankings. The county represents typical Kansas rural living conditions.

Exceptional housing affordability is the main asset

Barber County excels with a cost score of 84.5, featuring the lowest median home value among these counties at just $92,700 and rent averaging $743/month. These prices make homeownership accessible even for households with modest incomes like the $57,615 median.

Income and tax burden constrain overall growth

The income score of 21.0 reflects median earnings of $57,615, while the tax score of 55.5 with an effective rate of 1.663% indicates a higher tax burden than neighboring counties. Missing data on safety, health, and schools prevents a complete livability assessment.

Best for price-sensitive families and retirees

Barber County is ideal for budget-conscious families, fixed-income retirees, and those seeking the absolute lowest housing costs possible. The minimal home prices and small-town setting appeal to people prioritizing affordability above all other factors.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax55.5Cost84.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome21Risk59.7WaterComing Soon
🏛55.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Barber County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barrow County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $77,477
Grady County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $54,312
Tattnall County
Georgia
65.4
Median income: $52,351
Vanderburgh County
Indiana
65.4
Median income: $60,938
Mitchell County
Kansas
65.4
Median income: $58,233

Deep Dives

Barber County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Barber County

via TaxByCounty

Barber taxes run above average

Barber County's effective tax rate of 1.663% exceeds the national median of 1.4%, placing it in the upper quartile for property tax burden nationwide. Despite this higher rate, residents pay only $1,542 annually—43% below the national median of $2,690—due to substantially lower home values typical of rural Kansas.

Among Kansas's highest rates

Barber County ranks in the upper tier of Kansas's 105 counties with an effective rate of 1.663%, well above the state average of 1.549%. The median tax of $1,542 falls below the state median of $1,943, reflecting Barber's low median home value of just $92,700.

Higher rate, lower bills than Allen

Barber County's 1.663% rate edges above Allen County's 1.652%, but Barber residents actually pay less annually ($1,542 vs. $1,659) because Barber homes are worth significantly less ($92,700 vs. $100,400). This illustrates how rates and home values both shape your actual tax bill.

Your Barber County tax bill

A homeowner with a $92,700 property in Barber County pays approximately $1,542 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related taxes, the bill rises to about $1,818, or falls to $1,188 without mortgage provisions.

Appeal an unfair assessment

Even in lower-value counties, assessed values can drift above market reality, especially after appraisals lag behind property condition changes. Barber County homeowners should review their assessments against recent comparable sales—successful appeals commonly save 10-15% on annual bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barber County

via CostByCounty

Barber County rents rise above comfort zone

Barber County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national affordability threshold by a full percentage point, straining budgets despite modest rents. Households earning $57,615 devote $743 monthly to rent—a higher burden than the national average given lower local incomes.

Least affordable county examined

At 15.5%, Barber County's rent-to-income ratio tops the Kansas state average of 14.7% by 0.8 percentage points, signaling tighter housing affordability. The county's median rent of $743 runs slightly below state norms, yet paired with lower incomes, creates outsized housing pressure.

Barber rents lower but affordability squeezed

Barber's $743 rent undercuts Barton County's $742 by just $1 but strains budgets more severely due to slightly lower median income of $57,615. Both counties show elevated rent-to-income ratios (15.5% and 15.7%) compared to state averages, marking this region as more cost-burdened.

Barber County stretches to afford housing

Households earning $57,615 spend $743 monthly on rent (15.5% of income) or $700 on mortgages—the latter representing strong homeownership affordability. Median home values of $92,700 offer genuine bargains for buyers, though renters face above-average proportional costs.

Barber County favors homebuyers over renters

If you're relocating to Barber County, purchasing a home ($92,700 median) makes stronger financial sense than renting, given the county's rental affordability squeeze. Compare Barber's buyer-friendly prices against nearby Barton or less-strained counties before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barber County

via IncomeByCounty

Barber County income gap widens nationally

Barber County's median household income of $57,615 sits 23% below the national median of $74,755, among the lowest-earning counties in the nation. The significant gap reflects the county's agricultural focus and limited urban job centers.

Below Kansas state average

Barber County's median household income of $57,615 falls $6,813 short of the Kansas state average of $64,428. Despite this, the county's per capita income of $34,620 actually exceeds the state average of $34,748, suggesting more equitable income distribution.

Among region's lower earners

Barber County's $57,615 median income matches Allen County ($57,618) and trails Brown County ($58,886) and Bourbon County ($67,555). The western Kansas location places Barber County in a region where agriculture dominates employment and wages.

Rent absorbs more of income

Barber County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.5% is among the highest in this group, indicating housing costs consume more of household earnings here. However, the median home value of $92,700 remains the most affordable in the region, enabling homeownership even at lower income levels.

Start small, build steadily

Barber County households earning $57,615 can begin building wealth by setting aside $576-$864 monthly in savings or investment vehicles. Local financial institutions and agricultural extension services often offer resources tailored to rural residents seeking to grow their financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Barber County

via HealthByCounty

Barber County health lags behind

Barber County residents live to just 74.2 years—nearly 6 years below the U.S. average of 80.1 years. With 17.3% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces persistent challenges in longevity and daily wellness.

Below Kansas state benchmark

At 74.2 years, Barber County trails Kansas's average life expectancy of 75.4 years, ranking among the state's lowest-performing counties. This gap signals concentrated health risks requiring targeted intervention.

Among the lowest in region

Barber County's 74.2-year life expectancy ranks it below most adjacent counties, matching Allen at 74.5 but trailing Anderson (76.6) and Atchison (75.9). Provider scarcity is acute here: just 49 primary care and 49 mental health providers per 100K—the lowest mental health ratio in this group.

Thin provider network, moderate coverage

Barber County's 12.2% uninsured rate sits slightly above the state average, while provider density at 49 primary care and 49 mental health per 100K ranks among the state's lowest. Residents often travel far for specialty care, compounding treatment barriers in this rural county.

Ensure you're covered

With 12.2% uninsured and limited local providers, Barber County residents should prioritize coverage enrollment to avoid emergency-only care spirals. Kansas health programs and telehealth options can bridge access gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barber County

via RiskByCounty

Barber County's elevated wildfire risk

Barber County scores 40.33 on the national composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, placing it near the national average despite Kansas's lower overall risk profile. The county's composite score masks a dramatic wildfire risk of 92.27, one of the highest in Kansas and a true concern for residents. This concentration of wildfire hazard distinguishes Barber County from its peer counties.

Wildfire hotspot in western Kansas

Barber County's composite risk of 40.33 exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its wildfire risk score of 92.27 ranks among the state's most extreme hazard concentrations, reflecting the county's geography and vegetation patterns in the Kansas panhandle. Tornado risk of 43.38 adds secondary but meaningful exposure.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Barber County (40.33) faces substantially higher composite risk than Allen County (15.27) and Anderson County (17.81) to the east. However, it's safer overall than Barton County (60.31) and Butler County (74.40) despite sharing the wildfire exposure pattern. The western Kansas cluster shows dramatically escalating risk profiles moving south and west.

Wildfire is the defining threat

Barber County's wildfire risk score of 92.27 is extraordinarily high and demands serious preparation and awareness, especially during dry seasons. Tornado risk of 43.38 presents a secondary but still significant hazard requiring spring storm readiness. Together, these two hazards define the county's disaster risk landscape for most residents.

Wildfire defense is essential

Barber County residents should create defensible space around their homes by removing dead vegetation, trimming tree branches, and using fire-resistant materials where possible. Develop an evacuation plan including multiple routes out of your area, and maintain emergency supplies including important documents and medications. Review your homeowners insurance for wildfire coverage details and ensure your property address is clearly marked for emergency responders.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.