CountyScore

Ellis County

Kansas · KS

#40 in Kansas
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Ellis County, Kansas

Ellis County Matches State Baseline

Ellis County's composite score of 66.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, positioning it squarely in the upper tier of American counties. This score reflects balanced livability across multiple measurable dimensions.

Exactly at Kansas Average

Ellis County scores precisely at Kansas's statewide average of 66.0, placing it at the median among the state's counties. This middle-ground performance masks a county with notable tax and housing strengths.

Competitive Taxes and Fair Housing

Ellis County scores 67.9 on taxes—the state's lowest effective rate at 1.223%—and a respectable 75.4 on cost. These advantages make it attractive to cost-conscious professionals and families seeking reasonable housing values near $211,100.

Income Growth Remains Modest

With an income score of 22.5 and median household earnings of $59,889, Ellis County lags in wage competitiveness. Rent at $899/month is notably higher than rural counterparts, and critical health, safety, and school data remain absent.

Smart Choice for Tax-Conscious Buyers

Ellis County appeals to those balancing affordability with Kansas averages—professional couples, small-business owners, and families seeking tax efficiency. If steady, reliable livability matters more than exceptional income, this county delivers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.9Cost75.4SafetyComing SoonHealth74.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk67.3WaterComing Soon
🏛67.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.3
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 Ellis 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

Ellis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ellis County

via TaxByCounty

Ellis County's tax rate is lowest in Kansas

Ellis County's 1.223% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 30% nationally, well below the national median of 2.690%—a substantial advantage for property owners. At just $2,582 in median annual property tax, the county charges less than the national median of $2,690 despite having higher home values.

Ellis County ranks lowest among Kansas counties

Ellis County's 1.223% effective rate is the lowest in the entire state, undercutting Kansas's state average of 1.549% by 0.326 percentage points. This makes Ellis County the most tax-friendly county in Kansas by this measure.

Clear tax advantage over region

Ellis County's 1.223% rate beats every neighboring comparison county, including Gove (1.329%), Ellsworth (1.518%), and Elk (1.988%). Regional homeowners seeking the lowest tax burden should look closely at Ellis County's significantly favorable positioning.

Higher-value homes, minimal tax liability

On Ellis County's median home value of $211,100, homeowners pay just $2,582 annually in property tax—a remarkably low figure for a home of that value. With the mortgage interest deduction, that liability rises only slightly to $2,620.

Even low-tax counties see assessment errors

Ellis County residents should not assume accurate assessments simply because rates are low—roughly 20% of all properties statewide are overassessed regardless of local tax climate. An independent home valuation can reveal whether you're among those eligible for an appeal.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ellis County

via CostByCounty

Ellis County housing strains local wallets

At 18.0%, Ellis County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national standard and signals moderate affordability stress compared to the U.S. average. Renters here pay $899 monthly on a $59,889 median household income, eating into budgets faster than national trends suggest.

Among Kansas's pricier rental markets

Ellis County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks above the Kansas state average of 14.7%, placing it among the state's more expensive counties for renters. At $899/month, rents run $112 above the Kansas median, while local incomes lag the state trajectory.

Ellis County rents significantly higher

Ellis County's $899 rent exceeds nearby Ellsworth ($705) and Gove ($730) by $170-195 monthly, though it remains competitive with Finney County ($991). The median home value of $211,100 is notably elevated—over three times Elk County's $60,900 and reflective of Ellis's regional economic center status.

Rent and mortgages both above trend

Renters allocate 18.0% of income to housing, while homeowners pay $1,101 monthly—pushing the combined affordability envelope. On a $59,889 median income, Ellis County households face steeper housing costs than many Kansas peers, leaving less flexibility for other expenses.

Ellis County demands careful budget planning

If relocating to Ellis County appeals for employment or family reasons, plan for tighter housing affordability than rural Kansas alternatives like Elk County or Gove County. The higher home values ($211,100 median) and rents ($899/month) reflect regional amenities—but compare your income to local benchmarks first.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ellis County

via IncomeByCounty

Ellis County income trails nation

Ellis County's median household income of $59,889 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by roughly $15,000 annually. This 20% gap reflects the broader income pressures in rural Kansas, though Ellis County performs better than many Great Plains peers.

Below Kansas state average

Ellis County's $59,889 median household income ranks below the Kansas state average of $64,428. The county ranks among lower-income Kansas counties, lagging the state by approximately 7% despite having a strong per capita income of $37,575.

Mixed performance among regional peers

Ellis County ($59,889) outpaces Elk County ($56,087) and Geary County ($57,344), but trails Ellsworth ($66,792), Finney ($72,437), Ford ($70,495), Franklin ($72,142), and Gove ($63,203) counties. Ellis County sits in the lower-middle tier of this eight-county comparison.

Rising housing costs strain budgets

Ellis County's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio signals growing housing pressure, though still below the 28% affordability threshold. With median home values reaching $211,100—triple the state average—homeownership requires careful financial planning in Ellis County.

Prioritize savings amid housing costs

Ellis County residents should focus on building emergency reserves before stretching toward homeownership. With strong per capita income ($37,575) available, strategic savings and investment plans can position families for long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ellis County

via HealthByCounty

Ellis County outpaces nation on longevity

Ellis County residents live to 79.0 years on average—just one year shy of the U.S. average of 80 years—a rare achievement for rural Kansas. Only 14% report poor or fair health, well below the national rate and among the best in the state.

Ellis County leads Kansas health rankings

At 79.0 years, Ellis County's life expectancy is 3.6 years above the Kansas average, placing it firmly in the state's top tier. The 14% poor/fair health rate is significantly better than most Kansas counties, reflecting strong community health outcomes.

Ellis County shines among regional peers

Ellis County's 79.0-year life expectancy outpaces Gove County (77.1), Ellsworth County (76.7), and Finney County (76.2) by substantial margins. Its 14% poor/fair health rate is the lowest across its neighboring counties, signaling above-average wellness.

Strong provider access supports good health

Ellis County's uninsured rate of 11.1% is nearly at the state average, with 63 primary care providers and 368 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—robust supply for a rural county. This strong infrastructure helps residents access preventive and behavioral health services.

Maintain coverage with regular checkups

Even in a high-performing county, gaps in coverage can emerge; visit Healthcare.gov to review your plan options and ensure continuous protection. Regular preventive care is a key reason Ellis County leads the state—keep that momentum going.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ellis County

via RiskByCounty

Ellis County matches national safety baseline

Ellis County's composite risk score of 32.70 earns a Very Low rating and sits just slightly above the national average, indicating moderate but manageable disaster risk. Residents face typical hazards for a rural Great Plains county.

Slightly above Kansas average for risk

At 32.70, Ellis County edges above Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the middle range of the state's 105 counties. The difference is modest—many Kansas counties face greater combined hazard exposure.

Comparable risk to surrounding counties

Ellis County's profile closely mirrors that of nearby Trego and Graham counties, with tornado and wildfire presenting shared regional threats. Flood risk remains moderate across this central Kansas region.

Tornadoes and wildfires dominate hazard mix

Tornado risk scores 57.63 and wildfire risk reaches 60.69, making these Ellis County's primary natural disaster concerns. Flooding presents secondary risk at 34.45, while earthquake and hurricane dangers remain negligible.

Standard homeowners policy covers tornadoes

A comprehensive homeowners insurance policy protects against tornado damage, while considering a wildfire rider provides additional coverage for brush fires. Given moderate flooding risk, reviewing flood insurance eligibility is prudent.

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.