CountyScore

Dickinson County

Kansas · KS

#63 in Kansas
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Dickinson County, Kansas

Dickinson leads national livability comparison

Dickinson County's composite score of 66.8 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. The county ranks among America's top third for overall livability.

Slightly above Kansas state average

Dickinson's score of 66.8 edges above Kansas's state average of 66.0 by nearly one point. The county performs at the upper end of Kansas county rankings for livability.

Strong incomes paired with reasonable costs

Dickinson County leads with an income score of 27.8 and median household income of $67,982—the third-highest among these eight counties. Combined with a tax score of 62.1 and cost score of 80.1, the county delivers solid earning potential alongside manageable housing costs.

Limited data on health and safety outcomes

While income and tax metrics are strong, Dickinson County lacks current data on safety, health services, school quality, and water resources. These gaps prevent a fully complete livability profile for comprehensive decision-making.

Best for middle-to-upper income families

Dickinson County appeals to working professionals and established families seeking higher incomes, reasonable taxes, and balanced housing costs. The county offers economic stability and quality earnings potential for career-focused households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.1Cost80.1SafetyComing SoonHealth71.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.8Risk50.9WaterComing Soon
🏛62.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.9
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 Dickinson 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

Dickinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dickinson County

via TaxByCounty

Dickinson's rate slightly above national median

Dickinson County's effective tax rate of 1.430% is slightly above the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax of $2,123 falls short of the national median of $2,690, though Dickinson's median home value of $148,500 is closer to national norms than most Kansas counties.

Dickinson near Kansas state average

At 1.430%, Dickinson County's effective tax rate sits slightly below Kansas's state average of 1.549%, making it one of the more moderate tax counties in the state. Among the eight profiled counties, Dickinson ranks in the middle range.

Dickinson moderately positioned regionally

Dickinson's 1.430% rate falls below Comanche (2.285%), Cowley (1.683%), and Decatur (1.794%), but exceeds Crawford (1.123%), Doniphan (1.160%), Edwards (1.593%), and Douglas (1.246%). This places Dickinson in the moderate-to-upper tier of the regional tax landscape.

Median home pays $2,123 annually

On a median home value of $148,500, Dickinson County residents pay approximately $2,123 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged homes pay $2,347, while those without mortgages pay $1,856.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Dickinson County homeowners should periodically verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales. If your assessed value appears higher than similar homes sold nearby, consider filing a reassessment appeal to reduce your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dickinson County

via CostByCounty

Dickinson leads Kansas on affordability

Dickinson County achieves a 14.3% rent-to-income ratio—the only county in this survey that beats Kansas's 14.7% state average and approaches national norms. A robust median household income of $67,982 (88% of the national median) paired with $809 monthly rents creates genuine affordability comfort.

Statewide affordability standout

Dickinson's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Kansas's best, undercutting the state average of 14.7% and signaling stronger local wages relative to housing costs. Its higher median income ($67,982) explains why residents handle housing expenses more smoothly than peers elsewhere.

Strong income drives housing comfort

Dickinson's $67,982 median income substantially exceeds all surveyed neighbors, allowing residents to absorb $809 monthly rents more easily than Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, or Decatur residents. Its $148,500 median home value reflects the county's relative prosperity and stronger buyer demand.

Renters and owners both find ease

Dickinson renters spend just 14.3% of their $67,982 income on $809 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate 16.0% to $907 monthly costs. This narrow gap and manageable percentages indicate that Dickinson residents—whether renting or buying—navigate housing affordably.

Kansas's most balanced housing market

Dickinson offers the region's strongest income-to-housing balance, making it ideal for families or professionals seeking Kansas stability without affordability strain. Compare its 14.3% ratio against Crawford's 20.0% to see the difference strong local wages make.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dickinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Dickinson approaches national income

Dickinson County's median household income of $67,982 narrows the gap with the U.S. median of $74,755 to just 9%, making it one of Kansas's stronger-earning counties. The county is only $6,773 below the national baseline.

Dickinson tops Kansas average

At $67,982, Dickinson County's median income exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by $3,554, ranking it in the upper tier statewide. Per capita income of $36,242 also surpasses the state average of $34,748.

Dickinson leads in earnings

Dickinson County's $67,982 median ranks second among these eight counties, trailing only Doniphan County ($72,833) by $4,851 and leading Cowley County ($58,263) by $9,719. This positions Dickinson as a regional economic anchor.

Housing affordable for earners

Dickinson County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% ranks best among these eight counties, with renters spending just over one-seventh of income on housing. Median home values of $148,500 are well-matched to the county's higher median income.

Dickinson ready for wealth-building

Dickinson County's above-average income and low housing-cost burden create ideal conditions for aggressive savings and investing. Families here should maximize tax-advantaged retirement accounts, consider index fund investing, and explore home equity as a wealth-building tool.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dickinson County

via HealthByCounty

Dickinson's Health Outcomes Near National Standards

Dickinson County residents have a life expectancy of 74.1 years, about 4.7 years below the U.S. average of 78.8, reflecting typical rural Kansas health patterns. Only 14.7% report poor or fair health, slightly below the national average of 16%, indicating a relatively healthy population overall.

Slightly Below Kansas Average, Solid Coverage

At 74.1 years, Dickinson's life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of the Kansas state average of 75.4, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The 9.3% uninsured rate is well below the state average of 11.5%, showing strong health insurance uptake among residents.

Balanced Primary and Mental Health Care Access

Dickinson provides 49 primary care providers and 65 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering reasonably balanced healthcare capacity for a rural county. These provider ratios allow residents to access both routine medical care and behavioral health services without extreme travel.

Good Coverage Translates to Consistent Care Access

At only 9.3% uninsured, nearly all Dickinson residents have insurance that covers doctor visits, medications, and emergency care. Combined with moderate primary care provider availability, residents can establish regular relationships with physicians for preventive health and chronic disease management.

Maintain Coverage for Year-Round Health Security

If you're among Dickinson's 9.3% uninsured, or if your coverage is expiring, visit healthcare.gov or Kansas Medicaid to explore affordable plans. Regular insurance ensures you can see your doctor for routine care, catch health problems early, and avoid catastrophic medical debt.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dickinson County

via RiskByCounty

Dickinson County faces moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 49.14, Dickinson County ranks as Relatively Low but sits well above Kansas's county average of 29.89. The score reflects meaningful exposure to tornados, wildfires, and flooding.

Moderate-to-high risk among Kansas counties

Dickinson County's 49.14 score places it in the middle-to-upper range statewide, meaning residents face substantially greater natural disaster risk than the typical Kansas county. The county ranks higher than most of the western plains.

Riskier than western neighbors, safer than eastern ones

Dickinson County's 49.14 score falls between Edwards County (17.56) to the west and Crawford County (71.44) to the east. Central Kansas experiences moderate hazard exposure compared to higher-risk eastern regions.

Tornados and wildfires lead the hazard list

Tornado risk scores 75.95 and wildfire risk reaches 83.94, making these the county's dominant threats. Flood risk at 48.63 presents a secondary but still significant concern for many properties.

Strong wind and hail protection essential

Dickinson County residents should ensure homeowners insurance explicitly covers severe wind, hail, and tornado damage given the 75.95 tornado risk score. Flood insurance warrants serious consideration, especially for properties in flood-prone areas near waterways.

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.