CountyScore

Cloud County

Kansas · KS

#58 in Kansas
66.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Cloud County, Kansas

Cloud County outpaces national average

Cloud County scores 64.2 on the composite index, 28% above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates solid livability relative to national standards.

Slightly below Kansas statewide average

Cloud County scores 64.2, falling about 2 points short of the Kansas average of 66.0. The county ranks in the lower-middle portion of Kansas counties for livability.

Strong housing affordability

Cloud County boasts a cost score of 84.2 with median home value of $96,300 and the second-lowest rent at $689/month. The county offers exceptional affordability for budget-conscious families.

Tax and income factors drag score lower

Cloud County's tax score of 52.0 with a 1.788% effective rate is among the higher burdens in the group, while the income score of 20.8 reflects median household income of $57,333. These factors prevent the county from reaching the top tier despite housing affordability.

Suitable for cost-minimizing middle-class families

Cloud County appeals to families and retirees seeking low rents and affordable housing despite modest incomes and slightly elevated taxes. The county delivers practical rural livability at a good value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk79.9WaterComing Soon
🏛52
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡79.9
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 Cloud County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gadsden County
Florida
66.9
Median income: $46,047
Nassau County
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66.9
Median income: $88,900
Emanuel County
Georgia
66.9
Median income: $50,053
Warren County
Illinois
66.9
Median income: $64,650
Delaware County
Indiana
66.9
Median income: $56,932

Deep Dives

Cloud County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cloud County

via TaxByCounty

Cloud County taxes above national average

At 1.788%, Cloud County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.6%, placing it in the higher-tax category nationally. Homeowners pay $1,722 annually, 36% below the national median of $2,690, because median home values of $96,300 are roughly a third of the national average.

Above-average rate statewide

Cloud County's 1.788% effective rate runs notably above Kansas's statewide average of 1.549%, ranking it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median bill of $1,722 sits 11% below the state median of $1,943, reflecting the tension between a high rate and lower-than-average home values.

Highest rate in the region

At 1.788%, Cloud County's effective tax rate substantially exceeds all major neighbors including Clay County (1.378%), Osborne County, and Saline County, making it the region's priciest by rate. This elevated rate meaningfully impacts all homeowners regardless of property value.

Budget about $1,722 annually

A Cloud County homeowner with a median-value property of $96,300 pays approximately $1,722 per year in property taxes. With mortgage benefits, the bill rises to $1,925; without deductions, it falls to $1,446.

High rates justify careful assessment review

Cloud County's above-average tax rate means every savings opportunity counts. Request a detailed assessment report and compare your property's valuation to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood—a successful appeal could yield significant annual relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cloud County

via CostByCounty

Cloud County: balanced rent affordability

Cloud County renters spend 14.4% of their $57,333 income on housing, which is just slightly above the national average of 14.7% and among the better performers in this region. The $689/month rent is the lowest among all eight counties, supporting this favorable affordability profile.

Below-average burden for Kansas

At 14.4%, Cloud County's rent-to-income ratio is below Kansas's 14.7% state average, placing it among the more affordable counties statewide. The combination of the region's lowest rent and reasonable incomes creates this favorable position.

Lowest rents in the region

Cloud County's $689/month rent is the cheapest in this eight-county group—$24 less than Cheyenne, $69 less than Chase, and $222 less than Clay County. This rent advantage translates directly to better affordability despite moderate income levels.

Affordable rents, pricier ownership

Renters pay just $689/month (14.4% of $57,333 income), but homeowners pay $785/month on median homes valued at $96,300—a relatively high ownership cost. Cloud County clearly favors renters over homeowners in terms of affordability.

Cloud County rewards renters

If renting is your preference, Cloud County offers the region's best deal with the lowest monthly costs and a favorable affordability ratio. Keep in mind that homeownership is pricier here relative to renting, so renters get the real advantage.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cloud County

via IncomeByCounty

Cloud County Below National Income

Cloud County's median household income of $57,333 falls roughly $17,400 short of the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the lower third of U.S. counties. This income gap is typical for agricultural and small-town Kansas communities.

Below Kansas State Average

At $57,333, Cloud County trails Kansas's median household income of $64,428 by approximately $7,100. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Kansas's 105 counties for household earnings.

Mid-Range Earnings Regionally

Cloud County's median income of $57,333 sits above Chautauqua County ($54,592) and Chase County ($54,518), but below Cherokee County ($58,274) and significantly below Coffey County ($67,377). The county reflects typical central Kansas income patterns.

Affordable Rents, Modest Homes

Cloud County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is among the state's most affordable, well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $96,300 aligns well with local incomes, supporting accessible homeownership throughout the county.

Opportunity in Affordability

With housing costs consuming just 14.4% of median income, Cloud County residents retain substantial earnings for savings and investments. Building an emergency fund and exploring tax-advantaged retirement accounts—even with modest contributions—creates a solid foundation for long-term financial health.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cloud County

via HealthByCounty

Cloud County lags U.S. health benchmarks

At 73.4 years, Cloud County residents live 2.3 years less than the U.S. average of 75.7 years. Its 16.7% poor/fair health rate sits near national norms, indicating a longevity challenge.

Below-average outcomes in Kansas

Cloud County's 73.4-year life expectancy trails Kansas's 75.4-year state average by 2.0 years, positioning it among the state's lower performers. Its 16.7% poor/fair health rate runs closer to the Kansas median.

Weaker than most regional peers

Cloud's 73.4-year life expectancy ranks better than only Cherokee (72.1) and Chautauqua (74.0) among nearby counties, with Chase (78.0) and Clay (78.2) notably ahead. Its 16.7% poor/fair rate is mid-range for the region.

Good mental health care, sparse primary

Cloud offers only 56 primary care providers per 100K—well below typical density—but supports 226 mental health providers per 100K, the highest in this set. With 8.7% uninsured, coverage approaches optimal levels.

Secure your primary care access

Cloud's 8.7% uninsured rate is excellent, but sparse primary care means coordinating access matters more. Enroll via the Kansas marketplace and ask your provider about wait times and virtual visits.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cloud County

via RiskByCounty

Cloud County ranks low on national risk scale

Cloud County's composite risk score of 20.17 places it below the national average with a "Very Low" rating, reflecting generally modest disaster exposure. The county benefits from a north-central Kansas location that reduces vulnerability to multiple hazard types.

Below-average risk statewide

At 20.17, Cloud County scores significantly below Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking it among the state's safer communities. This advantage is driven by low flood and earthquake risks, though tornado exposure remains moderate by state standards.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Cloud County's risk profile outperforms nearby Mitchell and Ottawa Counties, which face higher tornado and flood exposure. Its north-central location provides moderate protection from the severe weather patterns affecting eastern and southern Kansas.

Tornado and wildfire pose main threats

Tornado risk scores 47.87 in Cloud County, the county's most significant hazard, while wildfire risk reaches 62.12. Together, these threats account for the majority of the county's disaster exposure.

Prioritize tornado and wildfire coverage

Homeowners should ensure strong tornado and wind protection coverage in addition to wildfire safeguards in their property insurance. A designated safe room and regular property inspections help mitigate the county's primary weather-related threats.

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.