Ford County's composite score of 63.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28%, positioning it in the upper-middle range of American counties. This reflects solid, measurable livability across key dimensions.
2 / 5
Below Kansas State Average
Ford County's 63.8 score falls noticeably below Kansas's 66.0 average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. While still viable, it trails most of its peers in this eight-county cohort.
3 / 5
Respectable Incomes, Fair Housing
Ford County delivers a solid income score of 29.4 with median household earnings of $70,495, and a cost score of 78.3 with median home values at $132,700. These fundamentals serve working families adequately.
4 / 5
Highest Tax Burden Here
Ford County's tax score of 55.9 and effective tax rate of 1.650% rank as the highest among these eight counties, reducing overall affordability. Rents at $960/month compound cost pressures, and health, safety, and school data remain absent.
5 / 5
Practical Choice for Steady Earners
Ford County suits practical families and workers comfortable with moderate incomes and higher-than-average taxes. It's a solid if unremarkable option for those seeking Kansas employment without expecting standout livability.
Ford County's composite score of 63.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28%, positioning it in the upper-middle range of American counties. This reflects solid, measurable livability across key dimensions.
Below Kansas State Average
Ford County's 63.8 score falls noticeably below Kansas's 66.0 average, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. While still viable, it trails most of its peers in this eight-county cohort.
Respectable Incomes, Fair Housing
Ford County delivers a solid income score of 29.4 with median household earnings of $70,495, and a cost score of 78.3 with median home values at $132,700. These fundamentals serve working families adequately.
Highest Tax Burden Here
Ford County's tax score of 55.9 and effective tax rate of 1.650% rank as the highest among these eight counties, reducing overall affordability. Rents at $960/month compound cost pressures, and health, safety, and school data remain absent.
Practical Choice for Steady Earners
Ford County suits practical families and workers comfortable with moderate incomes and higher-than-average taxes. It's a solid if unremarkable option for those seeking Kansas employment without expecting standout livability.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛55.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Ford County's 1.650% effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 2.690%, placing the county in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. At $2,190 in median property tax, Ford County charges less than the national median of $2,690 despite having moderately valued homes.
Above Kansas average, but still favorable
Ford County's 1.650% effective rate exceeds Kansas's state average of 1.549% by 0.101 percentage points, placing it in the higher tier statewide. The $2,190 median tax is well below the state median of $1,943, a gap explained by Ford County's higher-valued properties.
Mid-range rates in western Kansas region
Ford County's 1.650% rate falls between Ellis County's 1.223% low and Elk County's 1.988% high, making it a solid middle option regionally. Compared to similarly situated Finney County (1.430%), Ford County carries a modestly higher burden.
Ford County homeowners pay $2,190 annually
On Ford County's median home value of $132,700, property owners owe approximately $2,190 per year, or $2,629 with mortgage interest deductions factored in. This represents a reasonable tax expense for the region's property values.
Many Ford County assessments may be high
Studies show roughly 20% of Kansas properties are overassessed, and Ford County homeowners should request a reassessment if their home's market value has declined. Filing an appeal with supporting evidence of comparable sales could result in substantial annual savings.
At 16.3%, Ford County's rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above the Kansas state average of 14.7%, indicating manageable affordability stress. With $960 monthly rents and a $70,495 median household income, residents maintain a reasonable housing-to-income balance compared to national benchmarks.
Ford County near Kansas state average
Ford County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio tracks just above the Kansas mean of 14.7%, placing it in the middle tier for state affordability. Rents of $960/month exceed the state median by $173, though a solid $70,495 household income provides economic stability.
Ford County pricing balanced in region
Ford County's $960 rent falls between Finney County's $991 and Franklin County's $949, making it a moderate option in southwest Kansas. Home values of $132,700 rank lower than Finney ($191,100) and Ellis ($211,100), offering better entry-point pricing for homebuyers.
Homeownership offers better value than renting
Renters spend 16.3% of income on rent ($960/month), while homeowners pay just $836 monthly—a $124 monthly advantage. This gap makes Ford County particularly attractive for first-time buyers seeking both affordability and long-term wealth-building.
Ford County appeals to homebuyers
If you're considering the move to southwest Kansas, Ford County offers cheaper homeownership than renting—a rare advantage. Compare median home values ($132,700) and owner costs ($836/month) to pricier Finney County before deciding where to plant roots.
Ford County's median household income of $70,495 falls about $4,260 short of the national median of $74,755. This 6% gap is among the smallest in rural Kansas, positioning Ford as a relative income success story.
Top earner in Kansas
At $70,495, Ford County ranks among the highest-earning counties in Kansas, surpassing the state average of $64,428 by $6,067. Ford's 9% advantage reflects a strong regional economy driven by agriculture and local business.
Among regional income leaders
Ford County ($70,495) ranks second in this eight-county cluster, trailing only Finney ($72,437) by just $1,942. Ford's strong performance places it ahead of Franklin ($72,142)—which it nearly matches—and all other neighbors.
Modest housing cost burden
Ford County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio reflects reasonable housing affordability, though median home values of $132,700 represent substantial assets. Households maintain healthy budgets while building equity in properties.
Strong income supports long-term planning
Ford County residents enjoy near-national income levels, enabling robust financial planning beyond basics. Establish diversified investment portfolios, maximize retirement savings, and consider real estate investments to accelerate wealth accumulation.
Ford County's 76.1-year life expectancy is 3.9 years below the U.S. average, and an alarming 24.1% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among Kansas counties analyzed. This concentration of illness suggests serious public health challenges requiring urgent attention.
Ford County ranks worst in state performance
At 76.1 years, Ford County ties for the second-lowest life expectancy in Kansas (behind Geary at 72.7), with the highest poor/fair health rate (24.1%) among all Kansas counties. This dual burden signals the most acute health crisis in the state.
Ford County health crisis deepest in region
Ford County's 24.1% poor/fair health rate and 76.1-year life expectancy represent the worst outcomes in southwest Kansas, slightly worse even than Finney County (22.9%, 76.2 years). This suggests Ford County faces distinct, amplified health challenges compared to its neighbors.
Uninsured rate highest among peers
Ford County's 16.4% uninsured rate is the second-highest in the analysis and 4.9 points above the state average, leaving one in six residents without coverage. Despite 53 primary care and 115 mental health providers per 100,000, financial and systemic barriers appear to block access.
Coverage is your first step forward
Nearly 1 in 6 Ford County residents are uninsured; visit Healthcare.gov, Kansas DHCF, or call 211 to explore all available options including Medicaid expansion eligibility. Coverage enables the preventive care and chronic disease management that can turn Ford County's health trajectory around.
Ford County's composite risk score of 51.69 and Relatively Low rating show substantially higher hazard exposure than the typical American county. Residents experience roughly 70% more combined disaster risk than the national average.
Above Kansas average but mid-range statewide
At 51.69, Ford County exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's risk rankings. About half of Kansas counties face greater disaster risk.
Higher risk than most regional peers
Ford County's score surpasses neighboring Seward and Meade counties, driven particularly by its elevated tornado and wildfire exposure. The southwestern county's plains location concentrates multiple hazard types.
Tornadoes and wildfires drive risk profile
Tornado risk scores 71.31 and wildfire exposure reaches 68.03, making these Ford County's primary disaster threats. Flooding at 37.50 and earthquakes at 30.06 present secondary but meaningful risks.
Ford County residents should invest in comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong tornado and wildfire coverage, plus a certified safe room. Adding flood insurance significantly strengthens protection across the county's full hazard spectrum.