CountyScore

Decatur County

Kansas · KS

#39 in Kansas
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Kansas

Decatur outpaces national livability standards

Decatur County's composite score of 65.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 15 points, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. The county delivers livability that beats approximately two-thirds of counties across America.

Slightly below Kansas average, still solid

Decatur's score of 65.2 trails Kansas's state average of 66.0 by less than one point. The county performs at near-average levels within the state's competitive county rankings.

Outstanding housing affordability stands out

Decatur County excels with a cost score of 87.2, the highest among these eight counties, reflecting median home values of $78,500 and rent at just $695 per month. This exceptional affordability makes homeownership and stable housing highly accessible.

Income levels remain constrained

The income score of 17.4 with median household income of $52,030 indicates limited earning potential relative to housing assets. Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and other risk factors are not yet available for comprehensive assessment.

Ideal for affordability-first homeowners

Decatur County is built for budget-minded families and retirees seeking the lowest possible housing costs without excessive tax burden. The county prioritizes housing accessibility, making it attractive despite modest income levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax51.8Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.4Risk88.7WaterComing Soon
🏛51.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Decatur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Decatur County

via TaxByCounty

Decatur's tax rate exceeds nation average

Decatur County's effective tax rate of 1.794% surpasses the national median of 1.09%, placing it solidly above the 50th percentile. The median property tax of $1,408 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Decatur's median home value of $78,500—roughly 28% of the national average.

Decatur ranks third-highest in state

At 1.794%, Decatur County's effective tax rate is the third-highest among the eight profiled counties and well above Kansas's state average of 1.549%. Only Comanche (2.285%) and Cowley (1.683%) tax at higher rates among this regional sample.

Decatur noticeably higher than most peers

Decatur's 1.794% rate substantially exceeds Crawford (1.123%), Doniphan (1.160%), Edwards (1.593%), and Dickinson (1.430%) counties. Within the broader region, Decatur ranks consistently above the midpoint for tax burden.

Median home pays $1,408 annually

On a median home value of $78,500, Decatur County residents pay roughly $1,408 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties pay $1,457, while those without mortgages pay $1,395.

Challenge overvalued assessments today

Many Decatur County homeowners don't realize they can formally dispute their property assessments. If your assessed value seems high compared to recent home sales in your area, filing an appeal with the county assessor could reduce your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Decatur County

via CostByCounty

Decatur delivers balanced rental affordability

Decatur County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio sits modestly above Kansas's 14.7% state average but remains reasonable by national standards. With a median household income of $52,030 and $695 monthly rents, Decatur renters face manageable affordability compared to counties like Crawford.

Among Kansas's more affordable counties

Decatur's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio matches Cowley's and undercuts Crawford's 20.0%, positioning it favorably within Kansas. Its $695 median rent ranks among the lowest in the state, second only to Comanche's $672.

Budget-friendly alongside Comanche

Decatur's $695 monthly rent is just $23 higher than Comanche's $672, and its 16.0% rent-to-income ratio ties Cowley's, making it a standout for affordability-conscious renters. Its $78,500 median home value undercuts even Comanche, offering Kansas's cheapest homeownership entry point.

Homeownership stands out as attainable

Decatur renters dedicate 16.0% of their $52,030 income to $695 monthly rent, while homeowners pay just $579—a mere 13.3% of income. This favorable owner-to-renter ratio, combined with the state's lowest median home value ($78,500), makes Decatur exceptionally accessible for first-time buyers.

First-time buyers' best Kansas bet

Decatur's $78,500 median home value and $579 monthly owner costs create Kansas's easiest homeownership entry point. If building equity matters more than amenities, Decatur delivers on affordability better than any surveyed county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Decatur County

via IncomeByCounty

Decatur earns below national median

Decatur County's median household income of $52,030 falls 30% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap typical of rural Great Plains counties. However, per capita income of $36,280 exceeds the county median, suggesting more even wealth distribution here.

Decatur trails Kansas average

At $52,030, Decatur County's median income lags Kansas's state average of $64,428 by $12,398, placing it in the lower half statewide. The county's per capita income of $36,280 notably exceeds the state average of $34,748, a sign of economic stability.

Decatur competitive locally

Decatur County's $52,030 median household income sits in the middle tier among these eight counties, outpacing Crawford County ($50,311) and Comanche County ($49,417) but trailing Cowley County ($58,263). The county's strong per capita income suggests relatively balanced earning patterns.

Housing costs are manageable

Decatur County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% matches affordability benchmarks, with renters spending roughly one-sixth of income on housing. Median home values of $78,500 remain accessible to families at the county median income.

Decatur's balance enables planning

Decatur County's higher per capita income relative to median suggests entrepreneurs and skilled workers have presence here—an encouraging sign for wage growth. Families should explore employer-sponsored retirement plans and consider working with a fee-only financial advisor to build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Decatur County

via HealthByCounty

Decatur Matches Kansas State Health Average

At 75.4 years, Decatur County residents live exactly at the Kansas state average, though still about 3.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.8. About 16.7% of Decatur residents report poor or fair health, placing the county near the national average of 16%.

Right at the Middle of the Kansas Pack

Decatur's 75.4-year life expectancy equals the state average exactly, positioning the county at the median for Kansas health outcomes. At 11.0% uninsured, the county is marginally better than the state average of 11.5%, suggesting reasonable coverage uptake.

Mental Health Access Limited in Rural Setting

Decatur offers just 37 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, significantly below state capacity, reflecting the challenges of recruiting specialists to rural areas. Data on primary care providers is limited, but the modest mental health resources suggest overall provider scarcity in the county.

Moderate Insurance Coverage, Sparse Specialist Care

With 11.0% uninsured, most Decatur residents have coverage, though a small population remains without insurance protection for medical expenses. The county's sparse mental health provider network suggests residents dealing with behavioral health issues may need to travel or access care remotely.

Ensure Your Family Has Coverage This Year

If you're part of Decatur's 11% uninsured population, Kansas Medicaid enrollment or marketplace plans at healthcare.gov can provide affordable coverage. With limited specialist options locally, having insurance helps you access care outside the county when needed.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Decatur County

via RiskByCounty

Decatur County has minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 11.29, Decatur County ranks Very Low—far below the national average. The county benefits from exceptionally low exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Kansas's safest county

Decatur County's 11.29 score places it at the absolute bottom of the state's disaster risk ranking, well below Kansas's county average of 29.89. Few Kansas residents live in areas with lower overall natural hazard exposure.

Safest area in northwest Kansas

Decatur County's 11.29 score edges out even Comanche County (20.23) and Edwards County (17.56) nearby. The northwest quadrant of Kansas offers some of the state's lowest natural disaster risk.

Wildfire poses the main concern

Wildfire risk at 30.06 represents Decatur County's most significant hazard, typical for High Plains grasslands with dry conditions. All other hazard categories—tornado (27.42), flood (7.19), and earthquake (10.85)—score substantially lower.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Decatur County's very low overall risk profile means standard homeowners policies covering basic wind and hail damage provide adequate protection for most residents. Additional specialized disaster insurance is unlikely to be necessary or cost-effective.

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.