CountyScore

Douglas County

Kansas · KS

#91 in Kansas
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Kansas

Douglas ranks above national livability median

Douglas County's composite score of 62.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 12 points, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. The county delivers livability standards comparable to America's majority of counties.

Slightly below Kansas state average

Douglas's score of 62.4 trails Kansas's state average of 66.0 by 3.6 points. The county ranks in the middle tier of Kansas county performance, slightly below the state benchmark.

Strong incomes and favorable tax climate

Douglas County offers an income score of 28.3 with median household income of $68,756—second-highest in the group—and a tax score of 67.2 with 1.246% effective rate. These metrics provide solid earning potential and reasonable tax burden.

Housing costs exceed affordability comfort zone

Douglas County's cost score of 67.4 is the lowest among these eight counties, driven by median home values of $281,600 and rent at $1,066 monthly. Housing expenses consume a notably larger portion of household budgets compared to rural peer counties.

Suited for urban-oriented professional families

Douglas County (home to Lawrence) attracts educated professionals and established families willing to pay higher housing costs for urban amenities, services, and employment diversity. The county balances strong incomes with elevated housing expense.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.2Cost67.4SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.3Risk25.2WaterComing Soon
🏛67.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠67.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.2
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
Clarke County
Georgia
62.5
Median income: $52,267
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas's tax rate near national average

Douglas County's effective tax rate of 1.246% sits comfortably above the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper-middle range. The median property tax of $3,508 exceeds the national median of $2,690, driven by Douglas's median home value of $281,600—nearly identical to the national average.

Douglas ranks mid-range for Kansas

At 1.246%, Douglas County's effective tax rate falls below Kansas's state average of 1.549%, making it one of the more tax-efficient counties statewide. Among the eight profiled counties, Douglas ranks in the lower-middle tier.

Douglas moderately taxed in region

Douglas's 1.246% rate falls below Comanche (2.285%), Cowley (1.683%), Decatur (1.794%), Dickinson (1.430%), and Edwards (1.593%), while exceeding Crawford (1.123%) and Doniphan (1.160%). This positions Douglas in the moderate-to-lower range regionally.

Median home pays $3,508 annually

On a median home value of $281,600, Douglas County residents pay approximately $3,508 in annual property taxes—the highest median tax bill among the eight counties profiled. Mortgaged homes pay $3,504, while those without mortgages pay $3,516.

Higher-value homes merit careful review

Homeowners in Douglas County with higher-value properties should particularly scrutinize their assessments for accuracy. If your assessed value seems inflated compared to recent comparable sales, filing a reassessment appeal could yield meaningful savings on a larger tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas rents reflect urban premium

Douglas County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Kansas's 14.7% state average and the national comfort zone, despite a median household income of $68,756 that approaches the national $74,755. At $1,066 monthly, Douglas rents are the survey's highest, driven by Lawrence's status as a college town and regional hub.

Kansas's priciest rental market

Douglas's $1,066 monthly median rent nearly 35% above Kansas's $787 state average, and its 18.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's worst. This urban premium reflects Lawrence's role as Kansas's education and culture center, not local wage superiority.

Clear premium for urban amenities

Douglas's $1,066 monthly rent dwarfs all surveyed peers—Comanche ($672), Decatur ($695), Edwards ($732), Cowley ($779), and even Crawford ($837). The $265 gap versus Crawford reflects Lawrence's university presence and concentration of professional services, making it Kansas's high-cost outlier.

Homeownership demands sharp budget cuts

Douglas renters allocate 18.6% of their $68,756 income to $1,066 monthly rent, while homeowners face a staggering 24.8% bite at $1,422 monthly for homes valued at $281,600—the survey's highest. This gap warns that Douglas homeownership demands serious financial commitment beyond what renters shoulder.

Lawrence's urban premium carries weight

Douglas County's housing costs are Kansas's highest; budget-conscious families should compare against Dickinson (14.3% ratio) or Decatur ($78,500 home values) before committing. If drawn to Lawrence's culture and education, be prepared for 25%+ of income flowing toward housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas nearly matches nation

Douglas County's median household income of $68,756 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just 8%, signaling strong earning power for a Kansas county. The $5,999 gap reflects Douglas's status as an economic engine within the state.

Douglas leads Kansas income

At $68,756, Douglas County's median household income ranks among the highest in Kansas, exceeding the state average of $64,428 by $4,328. Per capita income of $39,321 significantly surpasses the state average of $34,748, indicating strong earning diversity.

Douglas third in regional earnings

Douglas County's $68,756 median ranks third among these eight counties, behind Doniphan County ($72,833) and Dickinson County ($67,982), but well ahead of Cowley County ($58,263). The county's robust per capita income suggests educated, skilled workforce.

Housing costs run high here

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% and median home value of $281,600 reflect an urban/university-influenced market (Lawrence) with higher living costs. Despite strong incomes, residents allocate nearly one-fifth of household earnings to rent.

Douglas enables ambitious investing

Douglas County's above-average income and strong per capita earnings support diversified wealth-building: retirement accounts, taxable investments, and real estate portfolios. Families should work with financial planners to navigate higher housing costs while maximizing long-term asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas County Leads Nation in Life Expectancy

Douglas County residents live an average of 79.2 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 78.8 and ranking among the healthiest communities in America. Just 14.8% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 16%, reflecting strong chronic disease management and healthy lifestyles.

Kansas's Healthiest County by Far

At 79.2 years, Douglas leads all Kansas counties by nearly four years above the state average of 75.4, making it the clear health champion of the state. The 9.7% uninsured rate is also among Kansas's lowest, well below the state average of 11.5%.

Exceptional Healthcare Infrastructure and Capacity

Douglas County boasts 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the strongest in the state—plus a remarkable 369 mental health providers per 100K, offering some of the nation's most robust behavioral health capacity. This density reflects the county's status as home to Kansas's largest city and major medical research institution.

World-Class Care Supports Exceptional Health Outcomes

With 9.7% uninsured and exceptional provider availability across primary and mental health, Douglas residents have unmatched access to preventive care, early intervention, and specialist services. This healthcare infrastructure is a major reason residents live longer and report better health than nearly anywhere else in Kansas.

Leverage Douglas's Health System Advantage

If you're among Douglas's 9.7% uninsured, take advantage of healthcare.gov or Kansas Medicaid to access one of the nation's best healthcare systems. Coverage here unlocks access to top medical facilities and specialists that contribute to Douglas's exceptional health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas County faces elevated disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 74.81, Douglas County ranks as Relatively Low nationally but significantly exceeds Kansas's county average of 29.89. The score reflects substantial exposure to multiple concurrent hazards.

Among the highest-risk Kansas counties

Douglas County's 74.81 score places it in the top tier for disaster risk statewide, with exposure far exceeding the typical Kansas county. Few counties in the state face greater natural hazard exposure overall.

Significantly riskier than surrounding areas

Douglas County's 74.81 score far exceeds Doniphan County (13.99) to the north and Edwards County (17.56) to the west. Eastern Kansas, and Lawrence in particular, experiences substantially higher natural disaster risk.

Tornados and flooding are primary threats

Tornado risk reaches 92.40—among the highest in the state—while flood risk scores 72.77, reflecting Douglas County's exposure in Kansas's core Tornado Alley. These two hazards dominate the county's composite risk profile.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage vital

Douglas County residents must prioritize homeowners insurance with strong wind, hail, and tornado damage coverage given the 92.40 tornado risk score. Flood insurance is strongly recommended for all properties, especially those in or near the Kansas River floodplain.

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.