CountyScore

Chautauqua County

Kansas · KS

#43 in Kansas
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Chautauqua County, Kansas

Chautauqua County beats national livability standard

Chautauqua County scores 67.2 on the composite index, 34% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top tier nationally, demonstrating strong fundamentals across available livability measures.

Outperforms Kansas averages

Chautauqua County scores 67.2, edging ahead of Kansas's statewide average of 66.0. The county is among the stronger performers in the state for overall livability and resident quality of life.

Exceptional housing affordability and low taxes

Chautauqua County leads with a cost score of 86.6, boasting the lowest median home value at $63,300 and rent at just $713/month among these counties. A tax score of 57.3 with a 1.599% effective tax rate keeps the cost of living minimal.

Limited income opportunities remain

The county's income score of 19.0 reflects a median household income of $54,592, the lowest in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and other dimensions is not yet available to assess broader quality-of-life factors.

Ideal for retirees and cost-minimizers

Chautauqua County is tailor-made for retirees, remote workers, and anyone prioritizing ultra-low housing and tax costs. The county's affordability is exceptional, though job seekers and higher earners may find limited economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.3Cost86.6SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome19Risk87.9WaterComing Soon
🏛57.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.6
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
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.9
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 Chautauqua County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

White County
Arkansas
67.8
Median income: $53,435
Jeff Davis County
Georgia
67.8
Median income: $40,879
Kalawao County
Hawaii
67.8
Median income: $86,250
Mercer County
Illinois
67.8
Median income: $71,710
Shelby County
Kentucky
67.8
Median income: $82,671

Deep Dives

Chautauqua County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chautauqua County

via TaxByCounty

Chautauqua taxes are far below national median

At 1.599%, Chautauqua County's effective rate nearly matches the national median of 1.6%, but homeowners pay just $1,012 annually—a striking 62% less than the national median of $2,690. This gap exists because median home values here ($63,300) represent less than a quarter of the national average ($281,900).

Highest rate among similar Kansas counties

Chautauqua County's 1.599% effective rate slightly exceeds Kansas's statewide average of 1.549%, placing it in the upper tier of the state's 105 counties. The median tax of $1,012 runs 48% below Kansas's median of $1,943, reflecting the county's significantly lower property values.

Highest tax rate in the region

At 1.599%, Chautauqua County edges out Chase County (1.595%) and substantially exceeds Cheyenne County (1.402%) and Cherokee County (1.226%) in its region. Despite the highest rate, median tax bills remain competitive due to lower home values across southeast Kansas.

Budget around $1,000 per year

A Chautauqua County homeowner with a median-value home of $63,300 pays approximately $1,012 annually in property taxes. With mortgage benefits included, the effective bill rises to $1,443; without deductions, it falls to $843.

Review your assessment annually

Property values in rural Kansas have shifted significantly in recent years, and assessments often lag behind reality. File an appeal if you believe your home is overvalued—the county assessor's office can explain the process at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chautauqua County

via CostByCounty

Chautauqua County: slightly better affordability

Renters here spend 15.7% of their $54,592 income on housing, which is above the national average but one of the better performers among rural Kansas counties. At $713/month, Chautauqua County offers some of the lowest rents in its region.

Below-average burden for Kansas

Chautauqua County's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below the Kansas state average of 14.7%—though the lower income levels in this rural county make it appear more affordable than it is. The county ranks as one of the more housing-affordable places in Kansas.

The most affordable rent around

At $713/month, Chautauqua County offers the lowest rent among its neighboring counties, significantly cheaper than Chase ($758), Cherokee ($801), and Cheyenne ($703). This affordability advantage is key to its lower overall rent-to-income ratio.

Balanced housing costs, modest income

Renters pay $713/month (15.7% of income), while homeowners pay $596/month on a median home value of just $63,300—the lowest in the region. Both rental and ownership options are relatively affordable, making this county accessible to lower-income households.

Chautauqua offers rural affordability

If budget is your biggest concern, Chautauqua County delivers some of Kansas's lowest housing costs without sacrificing much in quality. Compare these prices to nearby Chase and Cherokee counties to see how much you could save.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chautauqua County

via IncomeByCounty

Chautauqua Trails National Income Average

Chautauqua County's median household income of $54,592 falls roughly $20,200 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. This gap reflects typical income patterns in rural southeastern Kansas.

Below Kansas State Average

At $54,592, Chautauqua County ranks below Kansas's median household income of $64,428 by approximately $10,000. The county remains in the lower half of Kansas's 105 counties for household earnings.

Comparable to Regional Peers

Chautauqua County's income of $54,592 nearly matches Chase County ($54,518) and sits slightly below Cherokee County ($58,274) in the region. Clark County to the northwest shows notably higher earnings at $65,515, suggesting stronger economic activity in western border areas.

Affordable Housing, Stable Living

Chautauqua County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% is among the state's lowest, indicating strong housing affordability for renters and homeowners alike. The median home value of $63,300 is particularly accessible, making homeownership achievable for most households.

Opportunity for Intentional Savings

With housing costs well-controlled, Chautauqua County households can allocate more income toward savings and investments than national averages. Starting a consistent savings plan, even with modest earnings, builds long-term wealth and financial security for residents.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chautauqua County

via HealthByCounty

Chautauqua health lags nationally

At 74.0 years, Chautauqua County's life expectancy falls 1.7 years short of the U.S. average of 75.7 years. With 19.2% of residents reporting poor or fair health—above the national rate—the county faces notable health challenges.

Among Kansas's lower-ranked counties

Chautauqua's 74.0-year life expectancy ranks well below Kansas's 75.4-year state average, placing it in the lower tier of county health outcomes. Its 19.2% poor/fair health rate is similarly elevated compared to state norms.

Struggles relative to surrounding counties

Chautauqua's 74.0-year life expectancy trails Chase (78.0), Clay (78.2), and Coffey (76.6) counties significantly. At 19.2% poor/fair health, it ties or exceeds the worst rates among nearby peers.

Insurance and mental health access mixed

With 13.9% uninsured—above the state average of 11.5%—more Chautauqua residents lack coverage. The county does support 60 mental health providers per 100K residents, though primary care data remains unavailable.

Explore coverage options now

Chautauqua's 13.9% uninsured rate means many neighbors lack essential care access. Check the Kansas health marketplace or call a local navigator to find affordable insurance that works for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chautauqua County

via RiskByCounty

Chautauqua County faces very low national disaster risk

Chautauqua County's composite risk score of 12.12 places it well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" rating despite elevated wildfire exposure. The county's overall safety profile is strengthened by minimal flood and low tornado risk relative to many U.S. regions.

Among Kansas's lowest-risk counties

At 12.12, Chautauqua County scores far below Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking it firmly in the safest tier statewide. This advantage is driven by low flood risk and controlled tornado exposure, despite the state's significant wildfire vulnerability.

Safer than most regional peers

Chautauqua County's score outperforms nearby Elk and Cowley Counties, which face substantially higher tornado and flood risks. Its lower composite score reflects a more favorable hazard distribution across the south-central Kansas region.

Wildfire dominates the hazard landscape

Wildfire risk reaches 90.90 in Chautauqua County, the highest score across all county hazards and a significant concern despite the county's overall low rating. Tornado risk of 44.31 represents a secondary threat, though it remains manageable compared to some neighboring areas.

Invest in wildfire and severe weather protection

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive wildfire coverage in their property insurance and maintain strong tornado and wind protections. Given Chautauqua County's concentrated wildfire exposure, fire-resistant landscaping and home hardening are prudent investments.

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.