CountyScore

Crawford County

Kansas · KS

#77 in Kansas
65.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Kansas

Crawford leads with strong national ranking

Crawford County's composite score of 69.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. The county ranks among the top third of American counties for livability.

Above average performer in Kansas

With a score of 69.0, Crawford edges above Kansas's state average of 66.0 by 3 points. The county ranks in the upper portion of Kansas counties for overall livability.

Excellent tax environment drives competitiveness

Crawford County boasts a tax score of 70.7 with an effective rate of just 1.123%—the lowest among these eight counties. Combined with a cost score of 81.0 and median home values of $122,400, the county delivers strong fiscal advantages for homeowners.

Modest incomes remain a limiting factor

The income score of 16.2 reflects median household income of $50,311, trailing several peer counties and limiting earning potential. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable for this county.

Perfect for tax-conscious homeowners

Crawford County suits retirees and moderate-income families seeking lowest-possible tax burdens and stable property values. The exceptional tax environment compensates for lower average earnings and makes homeownership particularly attractive.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.7Cost81SafetyComing SoonHealth67SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.2Risk28.6WaterComing Soon
🏛70.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.6
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Garfield County
Colorado
65.2
Median income: $86,172
Effingham County
Georgia
65.2
Median income: $85,465
Kauai County
Hawaii
65.2
Median income: $93,612
Alexander County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $43,523
Christian County
Illinois
65.2
Median income: $59,253

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford taxes well below national mark

Crawford County's effective tax rate of 1.123% falls below the national median of 1.09%, making it one of the least burdensome counties nationwide. The median property tax of $1,375 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, with median home values of $122,400 contributing to this relatively low tax load.

Crawford ranks among Kansas's lowest

At 1.123%, Crawford County's effective tax rate is the lowest among all eight profiled counties and well below Kansas's state average of 1.549%. This makes Crawford one of the most tax-friendly counties in the state.

Crawford tied for lowest regional taxes

Crawford's 1.123% rate matches Doniphan County and falls below Decatur (1.794%), Cowley (1.683%), and Comanche (2.285%). Among the surveyed region, Crawford offers some of the lowest effective tax rates available to homeowners.

Median home pays $1,375 annually

On a median home value of $122,400, Crawford County residents pay approximately $1,375 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes pay $1,503, while those without mortgages pay $1,198.

Even low-tax counties benefit from appeals

Even in tax-efficient counties like Crawford, homeowners should verify their assessed values match market reality. A formal reassessment appeal could still yield savings if your home's assessment exceeds comparable property values in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford's rent burden noticeably high

Crawford County stands out with a 20.0% rent-to-income ratio—markedly above the national comfort zone and well above Kansas's 14.7% state average. A median household income of $50,311 combined with $837 monthly rents creates one of the state's most strained affordability profiles.

Kansas's affordability challenge on display

Crawford's 20.0% rent-to-income ratio is among the worst in Kansas, far exceeding the 14.7% state average. At $837 monthly, Crawford rents are the highest among the eight surveyed counties, making it a cautionary tale of affordability mismatch.

Most expensive rent in the region

Crawford's $837 monthly median rent significantly exceeds all surveyed neighbors—Comanche ($672), Decatur ($695), Cowley ($779), and Edwards ($732). Its higher rents combine with moderate local incomes to produce the region's tightest squeeze on renter budgets.

Renting demands nearly one-fifth of income

Crawford renters commit 20.0% of their $50,311 median income to $837 monthly rent—an unsustainable burden by affordability standards. Homeowners fare slightly better at $815 monthly (19.5% of income), though Crawford's $122,400 median home value still demands significant equity investment.

Look elsewhere if affordability is key

Crawford's housing costs strain local budgets more than any comparable Kansas county; renters should compare against Comanche, Decatur, or Edwards before committing. If drawn to the region, prioritize homeownership to lock in stability against rising rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford lags far behind national

Crawford County's median household income of $50,311 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 33%, placing it among lower-income counties nationally. The $24,444 annual gap reflects structural economic differences between rural Kansas and more prosperous U.S. regions.

Below Kansas state average

At $50,311, Crawford County ranks below Kansas's median income of $64,428 by nearly $14,000 annually, indicating sustained economic challenges. Per capita income of $29,188 falls considerably short of the state average of $34,748.

Crawford struggles regionally

Crawford County's $50,311 median ranks among the lowest in its region, trailing Cowley County ($58,263) by $8,000 and Edwards County ($53,792) by $3,481. Only Comanche County falls below Crawford in this comparison.

Housing costs bite harder here

Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% means renters spend one-fifth of household income on housing—the highest burden among these eight counties. Despite median home values of $122,400, the combination of lower incomes and higher housing costs creates tighter household budgets.

Prioritize emergency savings first

Crawford County residents should prioritize building a 3-6 month emergency fund before investing, given the higher rent-to-income ratio reducing monthly surplus. Community banks and credit unions often offer low-fee savings products and financial counseling to help families strengthen their foundation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford Faces Significant National Health Gap

Crawford County residents live an average of 72.5 years, more than six years below the U.S. average of 78.8—a stark gap indicating serious underlying health challenges. With 16.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county is above the national average of 16%, reflecting higher rates of chronic disease or disability.

Among Kansas's Lower-Performing Counties

Crawford's life expectancy of 72.5 years is 2.9 years below the Kansas average of 75.4, ranking it among the state's counties with the most significant health challenges. The 10.7% uninsured rate is near the state average of 11.5%, suggesting insurance gaps are not the primary driver of poor outcomes.

Strong Mental Health Services, Limited Primary Care

Crawford County boasts 284 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering exceptional behavioral health capacity, but only 67 primary care providers per 100K. This imbalance suggests residents can access crisis or specialty mental health support, yet may lack consistent primary medical care to prevent disease and manage chronic conditions.

Low Insurance Hides Systemic Healthcare Barriers

Crawford's 10.7% uninsured rate is actually close to state average, yet the county's poor health outcomes suggest that coverage alone isn't solving access barriers. Limited primary care availability means even insured residents face real obstacles to preventive care, early diagnosis, and routine medical management.

Get Insured and Build Your Care Team

If you're uninsured, contact Kansas Medicaid or explore marketplace plans at healthcare.gov to gain coverage for preventive visits and primary care. Once insured, work with local health centers to establish a relationship with a primary care provider who can coordinate your overall health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford County experiences above-average risk

Crawford County's composite risk score of 71.44 ranks it as Relatively Low nationally but significantly exceeds Kansas's county average of 29.89. The score reflects exposure to multiple concurrent hazards across different geographies.

Among the riskier Kansas counties

At 71.44, Crawford County ranks in the upper tier for disaster risk statewide, placing it among Kansas counties with the highest exposure. The county faces considerably greater hazard risk than the vast majority of its peers.

Riskier than most neighbors

Crawford County's 71.44 score substantially exceeds Doniphan County (13.99) to the north and Dickinson County (49.14) to the west. Eastern Kansas counties generally face elevated tornado and flood risks compared to western regions.

Tornados, flooding, and earthquakes converge

Tornado risk reaches 88.58 and flood risk scores 68.89—two major threats that combine to drive the county's high composite score. Earthquake risk at 68.86 is notably higher than most Kansas counties, reflecting the county's southeastern location near the New Madrid seismic zone.

Multi-hazard insurance strategy needed

Crawford County residents need comprehensive homeowners coverage for wind, hail, and storm damage, plus separate flood insurance given the 68.89 flood risk. Earthquake insurance should be evaluated, particularly for older homes vulnerable to seismic activity.

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.