CountyScore

Graham County

Kansas · KS

#35 in Kansas
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Graham County, Kansas

Graham County outpaces national median

Graham County's composite score of 64.6 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the better half of U.S. counties. This 29% advantage reflects a county where basic livability factors—particularly housing affordability—exceed typical American standards.

Slightly below Kansas average

Graham County ranks slightly below Kansas's state average composite score of 66.0, placing it in the middle tier among the state's counties. The 1.4-point gap suggests Graham County offers competitive livability but trails the state's strongest performers.

Exceptional affordability stands out

Graham County excels in housing costs, with a cost score of 84.5 and median home values at just $88,800—among the lowest in the state. Renters benefit similarly, with median gross rent of only $726 per month, making this county ideal for budget-conscious families.

Income levels lag significantly

The county's income score of 17.9 is its weakest dimension, with median household income at $52,909—well below both state and national averages. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water quality also prevent a complete livability picture.

Best for retirees and cost-conscious movers

Graham County suits individuals and families prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over higher earnings opportunities. It's particularly attractive to retirees and remote workers whose income doesn't depend on local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.6Cost84.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk95.7WaterComing Soon
🏛53.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.7
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 Graham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Graham County
Arizona
68.6
Median income: $67,326
Saline County
Arkansas
68.6
Median income: $76,534
Catoosa County
Georgia
68.6
Median income: $72,425
Shoshone County
Idaho
68.6
Median income: $49,975
Cumberland County
Illinois
68.6
Median income: $69,826

Deep Dives

Graham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Graham County

via TaxByCounty

Graham County taxes run below national average

Graham County's effective tax rate of 1.732% sits well below the national median effective rate of roughly 0.96%, making it a higher-tax jurisdiction by U.S. standards. However, the median property tax here is $1,538—substantially lower than the national median of $2,690—because homes are valued much less (median $88,800 vs. $281,900 nationally).

Graham ranks slightly above Kansas average

At 1.732%, Graham County's effective rate exceeds Kansas's state average of 1.549%, placing it in the upper half of the state's 105 counties. The median tax bill of $1,538 falls below the state median of $1,943, reflecting Graham's lower property values.

Graham vs. neighboring western Kansas counties

Graham County's 1.732% rate is higher than Grant County (1.307%) and Greeley County's 1.910% rate edges slightly ahead. Among this cluster of sparsely populated western counties, Graham sits in the middle range for effective tax burden.

Typical Graham County homeowner pays $1,538 annually

On the county's median home value of $88,800, the effective tax rate of 1.732% translates to an estimated annual property tax of $1,538. Homeowners with a mortgage may pay closer to $1,833 when county and local levies are fully applied.

Many Graham County homeowners are overassessed

Property assessment errors are common across Kansas, and Graham County is no exception. If you believe your home's assessed value is inflated, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Graham County

via CostByCounty

Graham rents stretch paychecks

Renters in Graham County spend 16.5% of their income on housing, exceeding the national comfort zone of 12-14%. This means a typical household earning $52,909 annually allocates nearly $9,600 per year to rent alone, compared to the national average of $74,755.

Below Kansas affordability standards

Graham County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks it in the less affordable half of Kansas counties, sitting above the state average of 14.7%. At $726 monthly rent—$61 below the state median—the real squeeze comes from lower incomes that don't align with typical state earnings.

Tighter budgets than nearby counties

Graham's $726 rent is competitive with Harper ($693) and Grant ($696) counties, but Graham residents have $19,575 less in median household income than Grant County ($72,484). Greenwood County offers similar rent ($710) with slightly higher income ($58,276), making it marginally more affordable for renters.

Renting cheaper than owning locally

Monthly rent ($726) and homeowner costs ($718) are nearly identical in Graham County, but renters win on income proportion—16.5% versus an implied higher percentage for owners. Median homes valued at $88,800 suggest affordable entry points, yet the median household income of $52,909 remains the limiting factor across both markets.

Shop around within the region

If you're weighing Graham County against neighbors, compare your income to the 16.5% rent threshold—it may favor Grant or Gray counties if your salary edges higher. Both renting and owning remain modestly priced here, but maximizing income opportunities might tip the affordability balance in your favor.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Graham County

via IncomeByCounty

Graham earns below the national average

Graham County's median household income of $52,909 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $22,000 annually. This places the county in the lower tier nationally, though rural Kansas faces steeper income challenges than many urbanized regions.

Below-average income for Kansas

At $52,909, Graham County ranks in the lower third of Kansas counties, well below the state median of $64,428. The gap of roughly $11,500 reflects both the county's rural character and its dependence on agriculture-related employment.

Among the lowest in the region

Graham's median income significantly lags its southwestern neighbors: Grant County ($72,484), Gray County ($77,885), and Greeley County ($78,819) all earn substantially more. Only Harper County ($55,417) in the region reports comparable income levels.

Housing costs remain manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.5%, Graham County residents allocate a reasonable share of earnings to housing—just above the sustainable 15% threshold. A median home value of $88,800 keeps homeownership relatively accessible despite lower incomes.

Building financial stability matters now

Graham County residents earning $52,909 should prioritize emergency savings and tax-advantaged retirement accounts to weather income volatility. Consider consulting a financial advisor about affordable investment options and employer 401(k) matches that can compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Graham County

via HealthByCounty

Graham County lives longer than average

Graham County residents have a life expectancy of 75.9 years, exceeding the U.S. national average of 76.4 years by a narrow margin. With 14.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national poor/fair health rate of approximately 18%, suggesting residents here enjoy relatively strong health outcomes.

Above-average lifespan for Kansas

At 75.9 years, Graham County's life expectancy surpasses Kansas's state average of 75.4 years. This places the county among the healthier regions in the state, with fewer residents reporting poor or fair health than several of its neighbors.

Graham stands out in northwest Kansas

Graham County's 75.9-year life expectancy exceeds those of neighboring Harper (74.8), Hamilton (74.4), and Greenwood (73.5) counties. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Graham offers robust primary care access—nearly double that of Gray County's 18 per 100K.

Steady insurance coverage, solid provider access

Graham County's uninsured rate of 12.1% is just slightly above Kansas's 11.5% state average, suggesting most residents have health coverage. With 83 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county delivers strong access to routine medical care, though mental health provider data is not currently available.

Find coverage that works for you

Whether you're employed, self-employed, or between jobs, Kansas offers multiple paths to health insurance through the Healthcare.gov marketplace, Medicaid, and private plans. If you're among Graham County's 12.1% uninsured, comparing options now could lower your costs and connect you with care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Graham County

via RiskByCounty

Graham County's Disaster Risk: Well Below National Average

Graham County's composite risk score of 4.33 places it in the very low risk category, far safer than the typical U.S. county. The county faces significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most American communities, making it one of the more resilient places to call home.

Among Kansas's Safest Counties

With a composite risk score of 4.33 compared to Kansas's state average of 29.89, Graham County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the state. This puts residents well below the typical disaster exposure their fellow Kansans face.

Safer Than Most Regional Peers

Graham County's score of 4.33 outperforms neighboring counties like Grant County (13.55) and Gray County (36.74), making it one of the safest communities in the region. Only Greeley County and Hamilton County rival Graham's low-risk profile in western Kansas.

Wildfire and Tornado Watch Your Biggest Concerns

Wildfire risk scores 33.02 and tornado risk reaches 24.62 in Graham County—your two primary natural hazards to monitor. Even so, both threats remain well below the state average, reflecting the county's overall resilience to natural disasters.

Standard Coverage Protects Your Investment

While Graham County's low risk profile means you're safer than most, basic homeowners and renters insurance remains essential to cover unexpected losses from fire or severe weather. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate coverage for wildfire and wind damage, the county's main exposures.

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.