CountyScore

Gove County

Kansas · KS

#6 in Kansas
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Gove County, Kansas

Gove County Leads the Pack

Gove County's composite score of 69.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 39%, ranking it among the strongest counties in the nation. This exceptional performance reflects real advantages in affordability and tax efficiency.

Kansas's Top Performer Here

With a score of 69.6, Gove County ranks above Kansas's 66.0 average, placing it in the state's upper tier. It's the highest-scoring county among this eight-county group.

Unbeatable Affordability and Taxes

Gove County posts the region's best cost score of 84.3 with median home values at just $119,000 and rents at $730/month, plus the lowest effective tax rate at 1.329%. For budget-conscious families, this is exceptional value.

Incomes Modest, Data Gaps Remain

The income score of 24.6 with median household income of $63,203 is solid but not spectacular, reflecting typical rural Kansas earnings. Safety, health, schools, and water data remain unavailable, limiting comprehensive livability insight.

Best Overall Value in Kansas

Gove County is ideal for retirees, young families, and anyone prioritizing maximum affordability and tax efficiency in rural Kansas. If you want to own a home and keep taxes low while living comfortably, this county delivers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.9Cost84.3SafetyComing SoonHealth72.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk95.3WaterComing Soon
🏛64.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.3
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 Gove County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Wrangell City and Borough
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Prowers County
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72.5
Median income: $57,601
Benewah County
Idaho
72.5
Median income: $56,553
White County
Indiana
72.5
Median income: $66,143
Kossuth County
Iowa
72.5
Median income: $65,656

Deep Dives

Gove County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gove County

via TaxByCounty

Gove County among lowest-tax U.S. counties

Gove County's 1.329% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 30% nationally, well below the national median of 2.690%—a major advantage for property owners. The $1,581 median property tax is only 59% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both low rates and lower home values.

Below Kansas average with best-in-class rates

Gove County's 1.329% effective rate substantially undercuts the Kansas state average of 1.549% by 0.220 percentage points, ranking among the state's most tax-friendly counties. The $1,581 median tax falls well below the state median of $1,943, making it exceptionally affordable.

Second-lowest taxes in the region

Gove County's 1.329% rate trails only Ellis County's 1.223% in the region, outpacing Ellsworth (1.518%), Ford (1.650%), and Elk (1.988%) counties significantly. For homeowners prioritizing tax efficiency, Gove County ranks among the region's best choices.

Gove County residents pay just $1,581 yearly

On Gove County's median home value of $119,000, property owners pay approximately $1,581 annually in property tax, or $1,807 with mortgage interest deductions. This represents among the lowest absolute tax burdens in the region.

Even low-tax counties benefit from appeals

Gove County residents should not assume their assessments are accurate simply because tax rates are low—roughly 20% of all Kansas properties are overassessed. Request a reassessment if your home's market value has declined or if comparable homes in your area are valued lower.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gove County

via CostByCounty

Gove County offers solid housing affordability

At 13.9%, Gove County's rent-to-income ratio falls comfortably below both the Kansas state average of 14.7% and national benchmarks. Renters pay $730 monthly while earning a $63,203 median household income, creating a stable housing foundation.

Among Kansas's most affordable counties

Gove County ranks above-average for affordability statewide, with a 13.9% rent-to-income ratio just shy of the Kansas mean. Rents of $730/month run $57 below the state median, while a solid $63,203 household income supports both renters and homeowners.

Gove County balances quality and cost

Gove County's $730 rent falls between Elk County's bargain $534 and pricier Ellis County at $899, positioning it as a moderate option. Home values of $119,000 align closely with Ellsworth County ($116,300), offering comparable market conditions across northwest Kansas.

Rent and mortgages equally affordable

Renters and homeowners both spend roughly 13.9% of income on housing—at $730/month for both rent and owner costs. This rare parity reflects Gove County's stable, predictable housing market where renting and buying offer equivalent affordability paths.

Gove County suits flexible relocators

Gove County offers one of Kansas's best affordability profiles with balanced rent and ownership costs around $730/month. Whether you're renting temporarily or ready to buy, Gove provides flexibility without sacrificing financial stability—compare it to pricier Ellis County or Geary County before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gove County

via IncomeByCounty

Gove County moderately below national

Gove County's median household income of $63,203 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $11,552. This 15% gap is smaller than most rural Kansas counties, positioning Gove as a relative income performer.

Near Kansas state average

At $63,203, Gove County sits just below the Kansas state average of $64,428, lagging by only $1,225. The county's near-average position reflects a stable, if modest, local economy.

Mid-range among regional peers

Gove County ($63,203) ranks fifth among the eight-county cluster, above Elk ($56,087), Ellis ($59,889), and Geary ($57,344), but below Ellsworth ($66,792), Finney ($72,437), Ford ($70,495), and Franklin ($72,142). Gove represents a balanced middle ground.

Very affordable housing advantage

Gove County's 13.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable in the dataset, with median home values at just $119,000. Residents maintain excellent housing affordability relative to income, enabling meaningful savings.

Build savings through housing equity

Gove County's affordable housing market creates the ideal foundation for wealth building through homeownership and savings. Direct housing cost advantages into emergency funds, retirement accounts, and long-term investments to accelerate financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gove County

via HealthByCounty

Gove County health outcomes look strong

Gove County's 77.1-year life expectancy is just 2.9 years below the U.S. average of 80, and only 15.1% report poor or fair health, beating national norms. These solid metrics reflect good baseline community health, though longevity still trails the healthiest U.S. counties.

Gove County outpaces Kansas health average

At 77.1 years, Gove County's life expectancy is 1.7 years above the Kansas average of 75.4, placing it among the state's better performers. The 15.1% poor/fair health rate also beats the typical Kansas county, indicating above-average wellness.

Gove County leads regional health rankings

Gove County's 77.1-year life expectancy is exceeded only by Ellis County (79.0) in the region, and its 15.1% poor/fair rate matches Ellis County's low burden. This strong performance, alongside Ellsworth County (76.7), positions Gove in the healthy cohort of western Kansas.

Exceptional primary care, fewer mental health resources

Gove County's 218 primary care providers per 100,000 is by far the highest statewide—a remarkable achievement for rural healthcare. However, with only 37 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health access lags, suggesting a potential gap in comprehensive care for depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Leverage strong primary care resources

Gove County's exceptional primary care infrastructure is a health asset—visit Healthcare.gov to secure coverage and connect with a regular provider for preventive care. Ask your primary care provider about mental health referrals and support services to keep your whole health on track.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gove County

via RiskByCounty

Gove County is among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 4.77, Gove County earns a Very Low rating and ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. The county's hazard exposure is roughly 85% below the national average.

Kansas's safest county for disasters

At 4.77, Gove County's score ranks far below Kansas's state average of 29.89—by a factor of six. It represents one of the state's most geographically protected areas from natural disaster threats.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Gove County's risk profile is notably lower than all neighboring counties including Logan, Wallace, and Trego, reflecting its distinctive geographic advantages. The county's northwestern plains location provides exceptional natural protection.

Minimal hazard exposure across all types

Wildfire risk scores just 39.25 and tornado risk reaches 24.27—Gove County's most significant (though still quite modest) threats. Flooding at 5.22 and earthquakes at 6.08 are negligible, making overall disaster risk exceptionally low.

Standard insurance provides ample protection

Gove County residents benefit from minimal natural disaster risk, making basic homeowners insurance adequate for most protection needs. The county's exceptional safety profile means residents can focus resources on other priorities.

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.