Chase County

Kansas · KS

#21 in Kansas
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Chase County, Kansas

Chase County outpaces national average

Chase County scores 66.4 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top third of U.S. counties for overall livability, reflecting a solid foundation across measured dimensions.

Right at Kansas's livability midpoint

Chase County ranks at the state average with a score of 66.4, matching Kansas's mean composite score of 66.0. The county sits firmly in the middle tier of Kansas counties, neither outperforming nor underperforming its peers statewide.

Affordability is the main draw

Chase County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.0, offering a median home value of $106,200 and median rent of just $758/month. The county's effective tax rate of 1.595% keeps overall tax burden reasonable for residents.

Income growth lags behind peers

Chase County's income score of 19.0 reflects a median household income of $54,518, below the county's other strengths. Additional data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available to paint a complete livability picture.

Best for budget-conscious rural families

Chase County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and modest tax burdens over higher wages. The county offers a stable, affordable lifestyle in rural Kansas, though those seeking robust job markets or higher incomes may look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.4Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth73.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19Risk90.7WaterComing Soon
🏛57.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
90.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Chase County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chase County

via TaxByCounty

Chase County taxes run below national average

At 1.595%, Chase County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 1.6%, placing it near the middle of the national distribution. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,694 annually—37% less than the national median of $2,690—largely because median home values ($106,200) are less than half the national average ($281,900).

Slightly above Kansas average rate

Chase County's 1.595% effective rate edges out Kansas's statewide average of 1.549%, ranking it in the upper-middle tier among the state's 105 counties. The median tax bill of $1,694 runs 13% below the state median of $1,943, reflecting lower property values rather than lower rates.

Moderate taxes in southwest Kansas

Chase County's rate of 1.595% places it between Chautauqua County (1.599%) to the south and Cheyenne County (1.402%) to the west, making it fairly typical for the region. The $1,694 median tax bill aligns closely with regional peers, though it varies significantly based on home value differences across the area.

Expect roughly $1,700 annually

A Chase County homeowner with a median-value property of $106,200 pays approximately $1,694 per year in property taxes. With mortgage-related deductions factored in, that bill rises to about $1,971, but without such credits it drops to $1,533.

Challenge your assessment if needed

Many Kansas property owners are assessed above fair market value and never know it. If your property has declined in value or improvements were overestimated, filing a formal appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your annual bill.

Cost of Living in Chase County

via CostByCounty

Chase County rents eat more than average

Renters in Chase County spend 16.7% of their income on housing, compared to the national average of 14.7%—meaning housing costs here demand a bigger slice of paychecks. The median rent of $758/month is slightly below the national median, but income levels are significantly lower than the U.S. average of $74,755, creating the affordability squeeze.

Above-average rent burden for Kansas

Chase County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks above Kansas's state average of 14.7%, placing it among the less affordable counties in the state. While median rent here ($758) is actually $29 lower than the state average, lower incomes push the affordability burden higher.

Slightly pricier than rural neighbors

Chase County's $758 monthly rent sits between Chautauqua County ($713) and Cheyenne County ($703), though all three rural counties struggle with similar affordability challenges. Renters in Chase face a tighter squeeze than those in neighboring Chautauqua (15.7% ratio) or Cloud County (14.4%).

Rent vs. ownership in Chase County

Monthly rent of $758 consumes 16.7% of the median $54,518 household income, while homeowners pay $649/month on a median home value of $106,200. Neither housing option is particularly affordable here, with both requiring significant income commitment.

Consider affordability before relocating

If you're considering Chase County, expect housing to take a larger bite than national averages, especially on the rental market. Neighboring Chautauqua and Cloud counties offer slightly better rent-to-income ratios if affordability is your priority.

Income & Jobs in Chase County

via IncomeByCounty

Chase County Lags National Income

Chase County's median household income of $54,518 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $20,200, placing the county roughly in the bottom third of U.S. counties for household earnings. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural Kansas compared to national averages.

Below Average for Kansas

At $54,518, Chase County's median household income falls about $10,000 below Kansas's state average of $64,428. The county ranks in the lower half of Kansas's 105 counties, signaling lower earning potential compared to state peers.

Among Kansas's Lower-Income Counties

Chase County's income of $54,518 mirrors nearby Chautauqua County ($54,592) and sits below Cherokee County ($58,274) and Cheyenne County ($55,765). Coffey County to the east stands out significantly higher at $67,377, suggesting stronger job markets in adjacent areas.

Rent Is Manageable Here

Chase County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume less than one-fifth of median household income. The median home value of $106,200 remains accessible relative to local earnings, providing stability for homeowners.

Building Wealth in Chase County

With modest but stable incomes and affordable housing, Chase County residents have room to invest surplus income into retirement accounts, emergency funds, and wealth-building tools. Consider consulting a financial advisor about tax-advantaged savings strategies tailored to rural Kansas income levels.

Health in Chase County

via HealthByCounty

Chase County outlives the nation

At 78.0 years, Chase County residents live 2.3 years longer than the U.S. average of 75.7 years. Only 16.6% report poor or fair health—below the national rate of roughly 18%—suggesting a community with strong health fundamentals.

Tops Kansas on longevity

Chase County leads its state with a life expectancy of 78.0 years, outpacing Kansas's 75.4-year average by 2.6 years. This places Chase among the healthiest counties in the state.

A regional health leader

Chase County's 78.0-year life expectancy far exceeds nearby Cherokee (72.1), Clark (73.0), and Cloud (73.4) counties. Its 16.6% poor/fair health rate also ranks better than most neighbors, signaling consistent wellness advantages.

Good insurance coverage, limited data

At 9.2% uninsured—well below the state average of 11.5%—Chase County residents have stronger insurance access than most Kansans. Specific data on primary and mental health providers isn't available, but the county's health outcomes suggest adequate care availability.

Keep your coverage strong

With 9.2% of residents uninsured, Chase County has room to ensure everyone accesses care. Visit Kansas's health marketplace or speak with a local benefits counselor to confirm your coverage fits your needs.

Disaster Risk in Chase County

via RiskByCounty

Chase County's disaster risk ranks very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 9.35, Chase County sits well below the national average and poses minimal natural disaster exposure overall. The county's "Very Low" rating reflects relatively modest threats across most hazard types, making it one of Kansas's safer communities.

Safest counties in Kansas

Chase County's score of 9.35 is significantly below Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it among the lowest-risk counties statewide. This strong performance is driven by minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure compared to peers.

Safer than neighboring counties

Chase County's risk profile outperforms nearby Butler and Lyon Counties, which face higher tornado and wildfire threats. The county's balanced hazard exposure—without severe concentration in any single category—distinguishes it from southwestern Kansas neighbors.

Wildfire poses the primary threat

Wildfire risk scores 80.38 in Chase County, representing the most significant natural hazard despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk, at 30.69, presents a secondary concern but remains below state averages.

Prioritize wildfire and weather coverage

Homeowners should maintain robust property insurance that covers wildfire damage and ensure they have adequate tornado and wind coverage. Given Chase County's low overall risk, standard homeowner's policies with these protections are typically sufficient.

ByCounty Network

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