CountyScore

Edwards County

Kansas · KS

#68 in Kansas
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Edwards County, Kansas

Edwards ranks solidly above national median

Edwards County's composite score of 67.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 17.6 points, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. The county delivers livability that outperforms roughly two-thirds of American counties.

Above average performer statewide

Edwards's score of 67.6 exceeds Kansas's state average of 66.0 by 1.6 points. The county ranks among higher-performing counties within the state's competitive landscape.

Excellent affordability with balanced taxes

Edwards County excels with the second-highest cost score of 87.5, featuring median home values of $70,500 and rent at $732 per month. The tax score of 57.5 with 1.593% effective rate further enhances financial accessibility for residents.

Income potential remains limited

The income score of 18.5 and median household income of $53,792 indicate modest earning prospects relative to peer counties. Critical data on safety, health, schools, environmental risks, and water quality are not yet available.

Perfect for frugal families seeking value

Edwards County appeals to budget-conscious families, retirees, and workers prioritizing low housing costs and manageable tax burden. The county offers exceptional affordability with reasonable earning requirements for a comfortable lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.5Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth56.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.5Risk82.5WaterComing Soon
🏛57.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82.5
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 Edwards County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Terrell County
Georgia
66.1
Median income: $43,812
Ada County
Idaho
66.1
Median income: $88,907
Harvey County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $73,269
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Median income: $92,266
Oktibbeha County
Mississippi
66.1
Median income: $43,482

Deep Dives

Edwards County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Edwards County

via TaxByCounty

Edwards's tax rate exceeds national median

Edwards County's effective tax rate of 1.593% surpasses the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $1,123 falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Edwards's median home value of $70,500—only 25% of the national average.

Edwards slightly above state average

At 1.593%, Edwards County's effective tax rate sits just above Kansas's state average of 1.549%, making it a moderate tax county statewide. Among the eight profiled counties, Edwards ranks in the upper-middle tier.

Edwards moderately taxed regionally

Edwards's 1.593% rate falls below Comanche (2.285%), Cowley (1.683%), Decatur (1.794%), and Dickinson (1.430%), while exceeding Crawford (1.123%), Doniphan (1.160%), and Douglas (1.246%). This positions Edwards slightly above the regional midpoint for tax burden.

Median home pays $1,123 annually

On a median home value of $70,500, Edwards County residents pay roughly $1,123 in annual property taxes. Mortgaged properties pay $1,571, while those without mortgages pay $992.

Verify assessments for overvaluation

Edwards County homeowners should confirm their assessments reflect current market values in their neighborhoods. If your property's assessed value exceeds what similar homes recently sold for, contacting the assessor about a reassessment review could reduce your tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Edwards County

via CostByCounty

Edwards balances modest costs and wages

Edwards County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio matches Comanche's and slightly exceeds Kansas's 14.7% state average, reflecting the affordability challenges of rural Kansas. A median household income of $53,792 combined with $732 monthly rents creates modest but manageable housing burdens.

Mid-tier Kansas affordability

Edwards's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio and $732 monthly rent position it solidly in rural Kansas's middle ground—below the state average on rent but above it on rent-to-income burden. This reflects the core Kansas challenge: reasonable rents paired with limited local wages.

Affordable renting, exceptional home values

Edwards's $732 monthly rent sits comfortably below Crawford ($837) and Cowley ($779), while its $70,500 median home value ranks second-lowest after Decatur's $78,500. This affordability on both fronts makes Edwards attractive for renters and first-time buyers alike.

Ownership costs stay refreshingly low

Edwards renters spend 16.3% of their $53,792 income on $732 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate just 11.5% to $515 monthly costs. This dramatic gap—the survey's most favorable owner-to-renter ratio—reflects Edwards's exceptional home affordability and low ownership burdens.

Most attainable homeownership option

Edwards County delivers Kansas's lowest monthly ownership costs ($515) and second-lowest home values ($70,500), making it unbeatable for buyers seeking to minimize housing expenses. If building equity quickly matters more than urban amenities, Edwards outperforms every surveyed county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Edwards County

via IncomeByCounty

Edwards trails national income

Edwards County's median household income of $53,792 falls 28% below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap reflecting rural economic headwinds. However, per capita income of $32,481 suggests relatively balanced earning across the county.

Edwards below Kansas average

At $53,792, Edwards County's median income trails Kansas's state average of $64,428 by $10,636, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Per capita income of $32,481 falls short of the state average of $34,748.

Edwards mid-tier regionally

Edwards County's $53,792 median ranks fourth among these eight counties, above Comanche County ($49,417) and Crawford County ($50,311) but below Cowley County ($58,263). The county sits solidly in the lower-middle range of southwest Kansas.

Rent stays reasonable here

Edwards County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% keeps housing costs manageable, with renters spending roughly one-sixth of household income on housing. Median home values of $70,500 are among the region's most affordable, supporting homeownership access.

Edwards: steady wealth building

Edwards County's affordable housing and moderate income create a stable foundation for gradual wealth accumulation. Residents should automate savings into high-yield accounts, explore agricultural loans or small business opportunities if relevant, and take advantage of employer benefits.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Edwards County

via HealthByCounty

Edwards County Faces a Health Crisis

At 63.6 years, Edwards County residents have a life expectancy more than 15 years below the U.S. average of 78.8—among the lowest in America and a profound public health crisis. With 17.1% reporting poor or fair health, above the national average of 16%, the county faces serious chronic disease burden or mortality drivers requiring urgent investigation.

Kansas's Most Challenged County by Far

Edwards's 63.6-year life expectancy is nearly 12 years below the Kansas state average of 75.4, representing an extraordinary gap that sets the county apart even within Kansas. The 13.6% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 11.5%, compounding healthcare access problems in an already vulnerable population.

Critical Shortage of Healthcare Providers

Edwards County has no reported primary care or mental health providers available, leaving residents with virtually no local access to medical or behavioral health services. This extreme provider desert forces residents to travel significant distances for any healthcare, creating barriers that may worsen outcomes.

Insurance Gaps Meet Complete Provider Shortage

Edwards's 13.6% uninsured rate—the highest among these eight counties—combined with zero local providers means residents face a dual catastrophe: no insurance to pay for care, and no care available nearby. Even insured residents must travel far for any medical service, delaying treatment and worsening preventable conditions.

Coverage Is Essential—Get Help Now

If you're uninsured in Edwards County, getting coverage through Kansas Medicaid or healthcare.gov is a critical first step, even though local care is limited. Connect with regional health centers or telehealth providers, and work with social services to navigate care in neighboring counties where specialists are available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Edwards County

via RiskByCounty

Edwards County has minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 17.56, Edwards County ranks Very Low—significantly below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Among Kansas's safest counties

Edwards County's 17.56 score ranks it in the lowest tier statewide, well below Kansas's county average of 29.89. Few Kansas counties offer lower overall natural disaster risk.

One of the region's safest areas

Edwards County's 17.56 score is comparable to nearby Comanche County (20.23) and Decatur County (11.29). Southwest Kansas offers among the state's lowest natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire presents the main concern

Wildfire risk at 52.48 represents Edwards County's most significant hazard, driven by the county's High Plains grassland and dry conditions. All other hazard categories—tornado (24.75), flood (10.50), and earthquake (15.14)—score substantially lower.

Standard homeowners insurance is sufficient

Edwards County's very low overall risk profile means standard homeowners policies covering basic wind and hail protection provide adequate safety for most residents. Specialized disaster insurance beyond standard coverage 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.