CountyScore

Cherokee County

Kansas · KS

#62 in Kansas
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Cherokee County, Kansas

Cherokee County significantly exceeds national livability

Cherokee County scores 69.9 on the composite index, nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance places the county among the most livable in the nation.

Top performer among Kansas counties

Cherokee County's score of 69.9 ranks it in the upper tier of Kansas counties, outpacing the state average of 66.0 by nearly 4 points. The county is among Kansas's most livable communities.

Lowest tax burden in the group

Cherokee County leads with a tax score of 67.8 and an effective tax rate of just 1.226%, the lowest among these eight counties. The cost score of 83.6 reflects median housing at $99,400 and rent at $801/month, while the income score of 21.4 shows higher median household income at $58,274.

Income potential still limited

Despite being the strongest performer here, Cherokee County's income score of 21.4 remains modest, with median household income at $58,274. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions is not yet available.

Smart choice for balanced rural living

Cherokee County appeals to families seeking the best combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and reasonable incomes in rural Kansas. The county offers genuine livability for those who value financial stability and modest prosperity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.8Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth64.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk46.3WaterComing Soon
🏛67.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.3
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 Cherokee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

Deep Dives

Cherokee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cherokee County

via TaxByCounty

Cherokee County offers lowest tax burden

Cherokee County's 1.226% effective tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, nearly 25% below the national median of 1.6%. Homeowners pay just $1,219 annually—a remarkable 55% less than the national median of $2,690—because homes here average $99,400, roughly a third of the national average.

Second-lowest rate statewide

At 1.226%, Cherokee County ranks among Kansas's most tax-friendly counties, well below the state average of 1.549%. The median tax bill of $1,219 ranks in the lower half of state counties, making Cherokee County a relative bargain in the Kansas tax landscape.

Clear tax advantage over neighbors

Cherokee County's 1.226% rate beats every neighboring county in southeast Kansas, including Chautauqua (1.599%), Chase (1.595%), and Cheyenne (1.402%) counties. Homeowners here enjoy the region's lowest effective tax rate and among the lowest median bills.

Pay under $1,250 typically

A Cherokee County homeowner with the median home value of $99,400 pays roughly $1,219 in annual property taxes. When mortgage-related credits apply, the bill climbs to $1,342; without deductions, it drops to $1,108.

Even low rates can be challenged

Cherokee County's competitive rates don't mean assessments are always accurate. Review your latest assessment notice and compare it to recent comparable sales in your area—if your property is overassessed, appeal before the deadline.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cherokee County

via CostByCounty

Cherokee County's rent burden above average

Cherokee County renters spend 16.5% of their income on housing, nearly 2 percentage points higher than the national average of 14.7%. Despite slightly higher incomes than some neighbors ($58,274), the $801/month rent—well above the state average—creates affordability strain.

Among Kansas's least affordable counties

At 16.5%, Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Kansas's 14.7% average, placing it among the state's more challenging housing markets. The median rent here is $14 higher than the state average, contributing to this affordability burden.

Priciest rents in the local area

Cherokee County's $801 monthly rent is the highest among its neighboring counties—$88 more than Chautauqua and $43 more than Chase County. This higher rent burden is offset only slightly by higher incomes than some neighboring counties.

Steep rent costs relative to income

Renters dedicate $801/month (16.5% of $58,274 income) to housing, while homeowners pay $685/month on a median home value of $99,400. The high rent relative to income makes renting particularly challenging in Cherokee County.

Check cheaper alternatives nearby

Cherokee County's higher rents make it one of the pricier rural Kansas options—compare with Chautauqua ($713) or Cloud County ($689) to maximize your housing budget. Homeownership here is more affordable relative to renting, if that's an option.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cherokee County

via IncomeByCounty

Cherokee County Below U.S. Median

Cherokee County's median household income of $58,274 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by roughly $16,500, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. counties. This income gap is typical for rural Midwestern counties.

Slightly Above Kansas Average

Cherokee County's median household income of $58,274 trails Kansas's state average of $64,428, though the county performs better than many rural neighbors. It ranks in the middle tier of Kansas's 105 counties for household earnings.

Strongest Earnings in Southeast Kansas

At $58,274, Cherokee County outperforms nearby Chase County ($54,518) and Chautauqua County ($54,592), making it the earnings leader in southeastern Kansas. The gap widens further when compared to neighboring states, where similar rural counties often earn less.

Housing Costs Well-Controlled

Cherokee County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% keeps housing affordable and below the 30% sustainability threshold. The median home value of $99,400 pairs well with local incomes, supporting homeownership without financial strain.

Building Financial Resilience

Cherokee County's moderate incomes and controlled housing costs create room for savings and investment contributions. Residents should explore employer retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and low-cost investment vehicles to maximize long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cherokee County

via HealthByCounty

Cherokee County faces health headwinds

At 72.1 years, Cherokee County residents live 3.6 years less than the U.S. average of 75.7 years. With 18.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks among the nation's lower performers.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Cherokee County's 72.1-year life expectancy significantly trails Kansas's 75.4-year average, marking it as one of the state's most challenged health jurisdictions. At 18.5% poor/fair health, it also ranks near the bottom statewide.

Most vulnerable county in region

Cherokee's 72.1-year life expectancy is the lowest among peers like Chase (78.0), Clay (78.2), and Coffey (76.6). Its 18.5% poor/fair health rate ties nearby Coffey as the worst in the immediate region.

Provider access below state standards

Cherokee offers only 21 primary care providers per 100K residents—far below state norms—while supporting 184 mental health providers per 100K. With 11.1% uninsured, coverage approaches the state average, but care access remains constrained.

Strengthen care access

Cherokee's 11.1% uninsured rate and tight provider network mean every insurance option matters. Enroll through the Kansas marketplace to ensure you're covered, then ask your health provider about wait times and telehealth options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cherokee County

via RiskByCounty

Cherokee County faces moderate national disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 53.69, Cherokee County ranks "Relatively Low" nationally but carries substantially higher exposure than most Kansas counties. The county's tornado and flood threats drive its elevated profile relative to the national average.

Higher-risk county by Kansas standards

Cherokee County's score of 53.69 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it among the state's higher-risk communities. This elevated ranking is primarily driven by notably high tornado risk and substantial flood exposure.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Cherokee County faces substantially higher tornado (74.33) and flood (54.80) risks compared to neighboring Crawford and Labette Counties. Its southeastern Kansas location exposes it to more severe weather patterns than western and central county peers.

Tornadoes and floods pose greatest threats

Tornado risk scores 74.33—Cherokee County's most significant hazard—while flood risk reaches 54.80, both substantially above state averages. These concurrent threats demand serious preparedness attention from county residents and property owners.

Prioritize flood and tornado coverage now

Homeowners must secure comprehensive flood insurance in addition to standard homeowner's policies, since flooding remains a persistent threat. Tornado coverage with adequate wind protection and a reinforced safe room significantly reduce injury and property loss risk.

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.