CountyScore

Bourbon County

Kansas · KS

#74 in Kansas
65.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Bourbon County, Kansas

Bourbon County outperforms the national baseline

Bourbon County's composite score of 65.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, indicating above-average livability compared to typical U.S. counties. This strength reflects the county's blend of affordable housing and decent income opportunities.

Slightly below Kansas' state average standing

Bourbon County's 65.6 score falls 0.4 points short of Kansas' state average of 66.0, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state rankings. The county represents a fairly typical Kansas rural area.

Income potential stands out among rural counties

Bourbon County leads this county group with an income score of 27.5 and median household earnings of $67,555—reflecting stronger earning opportunities than most Kansas rural areas. Housing remains affordable at $784/month rent and $107,600 median home value.

Tax burden is the primary limitation

Bourbon County's tax score of 55.3 and effective rate of 1.670% represent the highest tax burden in this county group, reducing disposable income. Lack of data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors limits the full livability picture.

Best for earning families seeking rural living

Bourbon County appeals to working families and professionals who prioritize higher income potential while maintaining small-town character and affordable housing. The combination of above-average earnings and manageable home prices makes it attractive to those building wealth in a rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.3Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth66.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk64.4WaterComing Soon
🏛55.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.4
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 Bourbon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sebastian County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $56,450
St. Francis County
Arkansas
65.6
Median income: $41,784
St. Joseph County
Indiana
65.6
Median income: $64,885
Bossier Parish
Louisiana
65.6
Median income: $66,336
Pearl River County
Mississippi
65.6
Median income: $56,535

Deep Dives

Bourbon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bourbon County

via TaxByCounty

Bourbon taxes rank high nationally

Bourbon County's effective tax rate of 1.670% exceeds the national median of 1.4%, placing it in the upper quartile for property tax burden across the United States. Residents pay a median of $1,797 annually—33% below the national median of $2,690—reflecting Kansas's characteristically lower home values.

One of Kansas's highest rates

Bourbon County ranks among Kansas's highest-taxing counties at 1.670%, notably above the state average of 1.549%. The median tax of $1,797 falls below the state median of $1,943, despite the high rate, because Bourbon's median home value of $107,600 remains modest.

Highest rate in the region

Bourbon County's 1.670% rate edges above most neighbors, matching Atchison County's regional dominance in tax efficiency. Bourbon homeowners pay $1,797 annually—more than Atchison ($1,941 in absolute dollars) despite having lower home values—underscoring Bourbon's elevated rate burden.

Your Bourbon County tax bill

A homeowner with a $107,600 property in Bourbon County pays approximately $1,797 in annual property taxes. Mortgage-inclusive taxes climb to about $1,943, while non-mortgage taxes drop to roughly $1,664.

Challenge inflated assessments

Bourbon County's higher-than-average tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important for homeowners. Filing an appeal with current comparable sales data becomes even more valuable when your effective rate is among the state's highest.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bourbon County

via CostByCounty

Bourbon County achieves top affordability

Bourbon County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% ranks among the nation's most affordable, sitting nearly a full percentage point below national affordability thresholds. Higher household incomes of $67,555 combine with moderate rents of $784 to create sustainable housing costs.

Kansas affordability sweet spot

At 13.9%, Bourbon County's rent-to-income ratio bests the Kansas state average of 14.7% by 0.8 percentage points, placing it firmly in the state's affordability elite. The median rent of $784 runs just $3 below Kansas's state median, underscoring that Bourbon's advantage stems from strong local incomes.

Bourbon offers relief from regional strain

Bourbon's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio provides meaningful relief compared to Barber (15.5%) and Barton (15.7%), despite rents only slightly lower than those stressed counties. Higher median income of $67,555 transforms the rental equation, making Bourbon's $784 rent genuinely sustainable.

Bourbon County's balanced housing economy

Bourbon households earning $67,555 spend just $784 for rent (13.9% of income) or $759 for mortgages—both comfortably proportioned. Median home values of $107,600 align with purchase affordability, offering buyers and renters equally manageable pathways.

Bourbon County rewards relocating families

If affordability anchors your relocation decision, Bourbon County delivers—strong incomes ($67,555) paired with moderate housing costs create breathing room in family budgets. Compare Bourbon's balanced accessibility to cost-strained alternatives like Barton or premium options like Butler County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bourbon County

via IncomeByCounty

Bourbon County approaches national income level

Bourbon County's median household income of $67,555 trails the national median of $74,755 by just 10%, performing notably better than most rural Kansas counties. The county's stronger income position suggests a more resilient, diversified economic base.

Tops Kansas state average

Bourbon County's median household income of $67,555 exceeds the Kansas state average of $64,428 by $3,127 annually. The county's per capita income of $31,717 nearly matches the state per capita average of $34,748.

Regional income outperformer

Bourbon County's $67,555 median income stands among the highest in this analysis, surpassed only by Butler County at $80,375. The county outearns Anderson ($64,925), Atchison ($62,164), and all other rural neighbors.

Most affordable housing ratio

Bourbon County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.9%, indicating residents spend less of their earnings on housing than county peers. The median home value of $107,600 provides accessible homeownership for households earning near the county average.

Build substantial wealth strategically

Bourbon County households earning $67,555 can direct $6,755-$10,133 annually toward retirement savings, investments, and wealth building. With above-average incomes and favorable housing ratios, residents are well-positioned to pursue financial goals like college savings or property diversification.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bourbon County

via HealthByCounty

Bourbon County faces serious gaps

At 73.6 years, Bourbon County residents live nearly 7 years less than the U.S. average of 80.1 years—the lowest in this group. With 19.3% reporting poor or fair health (the highest rate here), Bourbon faces concentrated health challenges.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Bourbon County's 73.6-year life expectancy is nearly 2 years below Kansas's 75.4-year average, ranking it among the state's most challenged counties. The 19.3% poor/fair health rate further confirms acute population health stress.

Starkest health disparities

Bourbon County's 73.6-year life expectancy trails all nearby counties by 1-3 years, including Barber (74.2) and Allen (74.5). With 42 primary care and 83 mental health providers per 100K, Bourbon has below-average provider density relative to need.

Better coverage, strained care

Bourbon County's 10.1% uninsured rate—below the state average—suggests coverage is less the barrier than provider scarcity and population health drivers. With only 42 primary care providers per 100K and 83 mental health providers per 100K, residents struggle to convert insurance into accessible care.

Coverage is the foundation

While Bourbon's 10.1% uninsured rate is better than state average, the remaining uninsured residents face high health risks in this county. Ensure coverage through Kansas programs, then partner with local health centers to address the deeper care access challenges.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bourbon County

via RiskByCounty

Bourbon County's moderate risk standing

Bourbon County scores 35.66 on the national composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, placing it modestly above the national average. The county experiences a balanced mix of hazards rather than a single dominant threat, with meaningful exposure to tornadoes (43.70), wildfire (44.85), and earthquakes (42.78). This diversified risk profile distinguishes Bourbon County from single-hazard counties.

Middle-tier risk among Kansas counties

Bourbon County's composite risk of 35.66 slightly exceeds the Kansas state average of 29.89, placing it in the state's middle range. The county shows relatively balanced exposure across multiple hazard types rather than extreme concentration in any single category. This moderate profile reflects Bourbon County's southeastern Kansas location at the intersection of several climatic and geologic zones.

Riskier than northeastern peers

Bourbon County (35.66) carries more composite risk than Allen County (15.27), Anderson County (17.81), Atchison County (15.97), and Brown County (15.33) to the north and east. However, it remains substantially safer than Barton County (60.31) and Butler County (74.40) to the west and south. Bourbon County occupies a middle position in eastern Kansas's risk spectrum.

Balanced hazard exposure requires awareness

Tornado risk of 43.70 and wildfire risk of 44.85 stand as Bourbon County's most significant natural disaster threats, roughly equal in impact potential. Earthquake risk of 42.78 is notably higher than most eastern Kansas counties, reflecting the county's proximity to seismic zones. Flood risk (40.11) adds a fourth meaningful consideration, making this a multi-hazard environment.

Prepare for multiple disaster types

Bourbon County residents should maintain tornado shelters and early warning systems while also creating defensible space around homes against wildfire spread. Earthquake preparedness—securing heavy furniture, knowing safe positions indoors—should supplement traditional severe weather planning. Review your homeowners insurance for all covered hazards and consider flood insurance given the county's elevated flood risk of 40.11.

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.