countyscore
26.4
County Score
Income & Jobs 69Water Quality 52.1Lawn Care 48.5

County Report Card

About Finney County, Kansas

Significant Room for Growth

Finney County faces challenges with a composite score of 27.2, which is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects substantial room for improvement in infrastructure and community safety.

Trailing Behind State Peers

The county's overall ranking is much lower than the Kansas average of 49.5. While it struggles in several dimensions, its economic engine remains a unique outlier for the region.

Strong Incomes and Reliable Water

Finney County boasts a robust Income Score of 72.3, fueled by a median household income of $72,437. It also maintains a better-than-average Water Score of 52.1, indicating reliable utility infrastructure.

Safety and Cost Obstacles

The Safety Score is a notable low point at 9.7, indicating high relative crime or accidents. High housing costs also weigh on the profile, with a Cost Score of 27.4 and median rents nearing $1,000.

A Magnet for High Earners

Finney County is best for career-oriented individuals who can take advantage of the high median incomes and don't mind a higher cost of living. It offers an industrial economic strength that few other rural counties can match.

2040608010013.526.19.731.232.46936.352.141Tax13.5Cost26.1Safety9.7Health31.2Schools32.4Income69Risk36.3Water52.1Weather4126.4/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

Finney County DNA

Foverall

How Finney County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Finney County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (9.7/100), though Income (69/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
13.5-38.5
Cost
26.1-21.9
Safety
9.7-45.3
Health
31.2-18.8
Schools
32.4-21.6
Income
69+18
Risk
36.3-10.700000000000003
Water
52.1
Weather
41-15
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Think property taxes are too high in Finney County?

Many homeowners in Finney County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$201,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,048/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$201,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,009/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Gray County
Kansas
51.6
Kearny County
Kansas
47.7
Lane County
Kansas
58.9
Scott County
Kansas
55.4
Haskell County
Kansas
48.3
Hodgeman County
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56.2
Grant County
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53.6
Wichita County
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53

Deep Dives

Finney County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Finney County

via TaxByCounty

Finney County just below national average

Finney County's 1.430% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 2.690%, placing the county in the bottom 40% nationally. The $2,733 median property tax nearly matches the national median of $2,690, making Finney County a surprisingly affordable option despite higher home values.

Below Kansas average with solid rates

At 1.430%, Finney County undercuts the Kansas state average of 1.549% by 0.119 percentage points, ranking among the more tax-friendly counties in the state. The median property tax of $2,733 exceeds the state median of $1,943, reflecting Finney's higher home values rather than aggressive taxation.

Competitive rates in western Kansas

Finney County's 1.430% rate compares favorably to Ford County (1.650%) and Elk County (1.988%), though Ellis County's 1.223% offers a steeper discount. Among high-value property regions, Finney County delivers competitive tax efficiency.

Finney County home costs $2,733 yearly tax

On Finney County's median home value of $191,100, the estimated annual property tax is $2,733, rising to $2,966 when mortgage interest deductions apply. This represents fair value for a county with above-average home prices and below-average tax rates.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Even in tax-efficient counties, roughly 20% of properties carry inflated assessments, and Finney County residents should verify their valuation against recent comparable sales. Appealing an overassessment could reduce your annual liability by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Finney County

via IncomeByCounty

Finney nearly matches national income

Finney County's median household income of $72,437 sits just $2,318 below the national median of $74,755. This performance ranks Finney among the strongest-earning counties in rural Kansas and well above most national peers.

Top earner in Kansas counties

At $72,437, Finney County ranks among the highest median household incomes in Kansas, exceeding the state average of $64,428 by roughly $8,000. Finney's 12% advantage reflects a robust agricultural and business economy.

Top earner among regional peers

Finney County ($72,437) leads this eight-county cluster, outearning all neighbors including Ford ($70,495), Franklin ($72,142)—which trails by $295—and Ellsworth ($66,792). Only Franklin comes close, but Finney remains the regional income leader.

Moderate housing costs relative to income

Finney County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable housing expenses, though median home values of $191,100 are elevated. Residents maintain solid affordability compared to national benchmarks while building equity in a strong market.

Leverage strong income for wealth

Finney County's above-national income opens real opportunities for aggressive savings and investment strategies. With moderate housing costs, residents can maximize retirement contributions, diversify investments, and build generational wealth faster than most rural Kansas communities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Finney County

via CrimeByCounty

Finney County crime rates exceed national averages

Finney County reports a total crime rate of 2,817.7 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, the county maintains a safety score of 95.6 out of 100. This score suggests that relative safety remains high even with elevated reporting levels.

Public safety trends lag behind state averages

The county's safety score of 95.6 sits below the Kansas state average of 98.0. Additionally, the total crime rate of 2,817.7 is more than double the state average of 1,282.2. Four agencies are actively working to address these higher-than-average crime statistics.

Regional activity spikes compared to Kansas peers

Finney County's crime rate of 2,817.7 per 100,000 represents a significant departure from the state average of 1,282.2. This higher activity level is common for regional hubs that serve large populations and industrial centers. Law enforcement remains focused on managing the complexities of this more active environment.

Property crime accounts for most local incidents

The property crime rate stands at 2,280.9 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also elevated at 536.8, compared to the state average of 235.9. These numbers indicate that residents are more likely to encounter property theft than personal violence.

Focusing on theft prevention in Finney County

High property crime rates make alarm systems and secure deadbolts essential for local homeowners. Locking vehicles and removing valuables from plain sight can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a statistic. Coordinated efforts with the four local reporting agencies can help drive down these crime rates over time.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Finney County

via WeatherByCounty

Arid Conditions on the High Plains

Finney County is quite dry, receiving only 19.8 inches of rain compared to higher national averages. Its 54.5°F average temperature sits near the national median for continental climates.

One of Kansas's Driest Counties

The county is significantly drier than the state average of 30.3 inches, receiving over 10 inches less rain annually. Its temperature is just slightly cooler than the 54.8°F state average.

Sharing the Heat with Ford County

Finney matches Ford County with 71 days of extreme heat annually. However, it receives slightly more snow at 17.8 inches compared to Ford's 16.8 inches.

Dry Heat and Chilly Winters

Residents endure 71 days of 90°F+ temperatures, yet winter brings a notable 17.8 inches of snow. July temperatures average 78.7°F, while the winter average stays cold at 32.7°F.

Prioritize Water Conservation

Moisture conservation is critical given the low 19.8-inch annual precipitation. Plan for high energy use during the 71 days of extreme summer heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Finney County

via SoilByCounty

Arid Alkaline Soils of the West

Finney County features highly alkaline soil with a pH of 7.47, significantly higher than the national median of 6.5. These conditions are typical for western Kansas but contribute to a lower soil score of 33.6. Growers must often manage for mineral availability in these high-pH environments.

Sandy Texture Promotes Fast Drainage

With 41.0% sand and 38.5% silt, these soils are much coarser than the state average. The clay content is low at 20.5%, meaning the earth is easy to work but struggles to hold onto water and nutrients. This sandy profile requires careful management of irrigation and fertilizer.

Limited Natural Reserves and Moisture

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.43%, trailing the state average of 2.22%. The available water capacity is also below average at 0.166 in/in, making the land more susceptible to drought. Adding compost or manure is a vital strategy for improving these western soils.

Rapid Water Movement and Irrigation Needs

The high sand content suggests rapid drainage, which helps prevent root rot but increases the need for frequent watering. Without specific drainage class data, growers should assume water moves quickly through the profile. This makes the area heavily dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer for consistent production.

Resilient Gardening in Zone 6b

In Zone 6b, Finney County is best suited for resilient crops like grain sorghum, corn, and alfalfa. Gardeners should focus on heat-tolerant varieties and consider using mulch to preserve soil moisture. Despite the challenges, these soils produce high yields when given proper care and water.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Finney County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Semi-Arid Conditions in Finney

Finney County scores 48.5 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it one of the more challenging places in Kansas to maintain turf. This score falls below both the national median and the state average of 59.1. Success in Hardiness Zone 6b requires a dedicated focus on water conservation and heat-tolerant species.

Extreme Heat and Limited Natural Rainfall

With only 19.8 inches of annual precipitation, lawns here receive far less than the 30-50 inches considered ideal. The county also endures 71 days of extreme heat over 90°F, well above the Kansas average of 58 days. These conditions create a high-evaporation environment that puts significant stress on traditional green lawns.

Sandy Alkaline Soils Need Amendment

The soil pH of 7.47 is alkaline, which may require acidic fertilizers or sulfur to optimize nutrient uptake. A high sand content of 41.0% means water drains away quickly, though specific drainage class data is unavailable. To improve water retention, consider adding organic matter like compost to the topsoil.

Smart Watering in a Dry Climate

Finney County saw 10 weeks of drought over the past year, though current levels are at 0%. Given the low annual rainfall, using drought-hardy native grasses is the most sustainable way to keep a yard looking good. Grouping plants by water need and using drip irrigation for landscape beds can save significant resources.

Selecting Hardy Grasses for Success

Buffalograss and Bermuda grass are the best performers for this Zone 6b heat and low moisture profile. Plan your planting for late April once the frost risk passes after April 28. While the conditions are tough, choosing the right species will ensure your lawn survives the Western Kansas summer.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Finney County's county score?
Finney County, Kansas has a composite county score of 26.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Finney County rank among counties in Kansas?
Finney County ranks #105 among all counties in Kansas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Finney County, Kansas?
The median annual property tax in Finney County is $2,900, with an effective tax rate of 1.44%. This earns Finney County a tax score of 13.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Finney County?
The median household income in Finney County, Kansas is $73,009 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Finney County earns an income score of 69/100 on CountyScore.
Is Finney County, Kansas a good place to live?
Finney County scores 26.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #105 in Kansas. The best way to evaluate Finney County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Finney County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.