Geary County's composite score of 59.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 19%, placing it in the upper-middle range of American counties. This reflects meaningful but modest advantages in measurable livability factors.
2 / 5
Below Kansas Average
Geary County's 59.6 score trails Kansas's 66.0 average by 6.4 points, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in this state cohort. It represents the weakest performer among these eight counties.
3 / 5
Reasonable Taxes Support Value
Geary County's tax score of 59.0 with an effective rate of 1.538% offers solid fiscal efficiency. The score reflects a county offering basic economic stability for those prioritizing tax burden.
4 / 5
Low Incomes, High Rents
With an income score of just 20.8 and median household income of $57,344, Geary County ranks lowest in earning potential among these peers. Adding a cost score of 69.7 and rents at $1,119/month creates genuine affordability strain, with health, safety, and school data absent.
5 / 5
Challenging for Most, Worth Exploring
Geary County suits only those comfortable with lower incomes and higher housing costs relative to earnings—perhaps retirees with fixed income or those with deep local ties. It requires careful financial planning.
Geary County's composite score of 59.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 19%, placing it in the upper-middle range of American counties. This reflects meaningful but modest advantages in measurable livability factors.
Below Kansas Average
Geary County's 59.6 score trails Kansas's 66.0 average by 6.4 points, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in this state cohort. It represents the weakest performer among these eight counties.
Reasonable Taxes Support Value
Geary County's tax score of 59.0 with an effective rate of 1.538% offers solid fiscal efficiency. The score reflects a county offering basic economic stability for those prioritizing tax burden.
Low Incomes, High Rents
With an income score of just 20.8 and median household income of $57,344, Geary County ranks lowest in earning potential among these peers. Adding a cost score of 69.7 and rents at $1,119/month creates genuine affordability strain, with health, safety, and school data absent.
Challenging for Most, Worth Exploring
Geary County suits only those comfortable with lower incomes and higher housing costs relative to earnings—perhaps retirees with fixed income or those with deep local ties. It requires careful financial planning.
Score breakdown
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🏛59
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Geary County's 1.538% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 2.690%, placing the county in the bottom 45% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The $2,537 median property tax is slightly below the national median of $2,690, providing relative relief on above-average home values.
Nearly matches Kansas state average
Geary County's 1.538% effective rate nearly mirrors Kansas's state average of 1.549%, making it a representative Kansas county by tax burden. The $2,537 median tax modestly exceeds the state median of $1,943, reflecting Geary County's above-average home values.
Solid mid-range rates compared to region
Geary County's 1.538% rate positions it between Ellis County's 1.223% and Ford County's 1.650%, making it competitive regionally. Ellsworth County (1.518%) offers nearly identical rates for comparison.
Geary County homeowners pay $2,537 yearly
On Geary County's median home value of $165,000, property owners owe approximately $2,537 annually in property tax, or $2,817 with mortgage interest deductions included. This represents fair taxation for a county with moderately above-average property values.
Challenge assessments if property values fell
Roughly 20% of Kansas properties are overassessed, and Geary County homeowners should verify their assessment against recent market sales in their neighborhood. Filing an appeal is free and could result in significant annual tax savings if your home is overvalued.
Geary County faces significant affordability stress
At 23.4%, Geary County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds both the national standard and Kansas state average of 14.7%—a critical warning sign. Renters pay $1,119 monthly on just a $57,344 median household income, placing severe housing burden on local residents.
Kansas's least affordable rental market
Geary County ranks at the bottom of Kansas for housing affordability, with a 23.4% rent-to-income ratio—nearly 10 percentage points above the state average. At $1,119/month, rents are 42% higher than the Kansas median of $787, despite local incomes lagging state benchmarks.
Geary County rents dramatically higher
Geary County's $1,119 rent is by far the region's highest, exceeding Ellis County ($899) by $220 and Finney County ($991) by $128 monthly. This extreme gap reflects Geary's proximity to Fort Riley military base, which drives both demand and pricing up substantially.
Housing consumes excessive income share
Renters spend 23.4% of income on rent alone—well above the sustainable 30% threshold when combined with utilities and other costs. Homeowners fare similarly poorly at $1,202 monthly, creating a dual affordability crisis across both rental and owned housing.
Geary County demands careful financial planning
Geary County's extreme affordability stress makes it prohibitive for budget-conscious movers—housing costs consume nearly a quarter of income. If military connection or other factors require relocation here, expect to prioritize housing budgets and compare carefully to adjacent, more affordable counties.
Geary County's median household income of $57,344 falls $17,411 short of the national median of $74,755. This 23% gap reflects serious income pressures, making Geary one of the lowest-earning counties in this analysis.
Lowest income county in Kansas
At $57,344, Geary County ranks among the lowest median household incomes in Kansas, trailing the state average of $64,428 by $7,084. The county's 11% disadvantage signals economic challenges requiring targeted investment and development.
Lowest earner in regional cluster
Geary County ($57,344) ranks last among the eight-county comparison, trailing even Elk County ($56,087) by roughly $1,267. The county faces the steepest income headwinds among its regional peers.
Housing costs strain household budgets
Geary County's 23.4% rent-to-income ratio represents significant housing cost burden, far exceeding the healthy 28% threshold. With median home values at $165,000, residents stretch limited incomes to afford shelter, leaving less for savings and investments.
Prioritize basic financial security first
Geary County residents should focus on building emergency savings and managing debt before pursuing complex investments. Seek financial counseling, explore employer benefits like 401(k)s, and plan incremental wealth building as income stabilizes.
At 72.7 years, Geary County has the lowest life expectancy among all Kansas counties analyzed—a full 7.3 years below the U.S. average of 80. While its 19.3% poor/fair health rate is not the worst, the severe life expectancy gap signals acute mortality drivers requiring urgent investigation.
Geary County ranked lowest in Kansas
Geary County's 72.7-year life expectancy is 2.7 years below the Kansas average of 75.4 and the lowest in the state among all counties analyzed. This exceptional gap warrants public health investigation into mortality causes—violence, suicide, substance abuse, or chronic disease—in the county.
Geary County health crisis stands alone
Geary County's 72.7-year life expectancy is 3.4 years below Ellsworth County (76.7) and 6.3 years below Ellis County (79.0), representing a severe outlier in the region. No neighboring county approaches this mortality profile, suggesting Geary faces distinct, severe public health challenges.
Low uninsured rate masks deeper issues
Geary County's 8.4% uninsured rate is the second-lowest statewide, yet with 39 primary care and 419 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest mental health density in the analysis—coverage alone is not solving the mortality crisis. This suggests structural health, behavioral, or violence-related drivers beyond insurance barriers.
Coverage plus community action needed
Geary County needs both strong insurance (check Healthcare.gov and Kansas DHCF) and community investment in mental health, violence prevention, and substance abuse services. If you're struggling with mental health or substance use, reach out to Geary County's abundant mental health providers—they're there to help.
Geary County's composite risk score of 40.59 and Very Low rating indicate moderately elevated hazard exposure compared to typical U.S. counties. Residents experience roughly 40% more combined disaster risk than the national average.
Moderately above Kansas average
At 40.59, Geary County exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, placing it in the state's middle-to-upper range of disaster risk. Many Kansas counties face greater exposure, while several have lower risk profiles.
Similar risk to neighboring counties
Geary County's profile aligns with adjacent Morris and Chase counties, though tornado exposure is notably higher here. The county's central location balances multiple hazard types comparably to surrounding areas.
Tornadoes and wildfires are dominant threats
Tornado risk scores 81.27 and wildfire exposure reaches 81.97, making these Geary County's principal natural disaster concerns. Flooding at 40.78 presents secondary risk, while earthquakes and hurricanes pose minimal danger.
Invest in strong tornado and wildfire defense
Geary County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance with robust tornado coverage and a certified safe room or shelter. Adding wildfire protection strengthens overall safety against the county's dominant hazards.