Grant County

Kansas · KS

#33 in Kansas
69
County Score

County Report Card

About Grant County, Kansas

Grant County leads the region

With a composite score of 69.1, Grant County sits 38% above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the more livable counties nationally. This strong performance reflects a balanced combination of tax efficiency, affordability, and income opportunity.

Above-average across Kansas

Grant County's score of 69.1 exceeds Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it in the top tier of Kansas counties. This 3.1-point advantage signals Grant County as one of the state's most livable communities.

Strong tax advantage and income potential

Grant County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among these eight counties at 1.307%, earning a tax score of 65.5. Combined with a median household income of $72,484 and cost score of 81.4, the county offers a rare triple threat: low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and good earning potential.

Critical data gaps limit full assessment

Safety, health, school quality, and water quality data remain unavailable, preventing a comprehensive evaluation of Grant County's livability. Residents and prospective movers should seek additional local sources for these important factors.

Ideal for working families seeking value

Grant County appeals to families and professionals balancing quality of life with economic opportunity in an affordable setting. The combination of reasonable home prices ($146,200 median), strong household incomes, and low taxes makes it Kansas's strongest option among these eight counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax65.5Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.7Risk86.5WaterComing Soon
🏛65.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
86.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Grant County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grant County

via TaxByCounty

Grant County offers one of Kansas's lowest tax rates

Grant County's effective rate of 1.307% ranks well below the national median of roughly 0.96% and sits significantly below Kansas's state average of 1.549%. Despite the lower rate, the median tax bill reaches $1,911—still just 71% of the national median—due to Grant's moderate property values of $146,200.

Grant ranks among Kansas's most tax-friendly counties

With an effective rate of 1.307%, Grant County places in the lower third of Kansas's 105 counties, making it one of the state's most affordable for property tax purposes. The median tax payment of $1,911 is only slightly below the state median of $1,943.

Grant County has the lowest rate in its region

Grant's 1.307% effective rate significantly undercuts its western Kansas neighbors, including Graham County (1.732%) and Greeley County (1.910%). This makes Grant notably attractive for property owners in the region seeking lower annual tax burdens.

Grant County median home owner pays $1,911 yearly

A Grant County median home valued at $146,200 with a 1.307% effective tax rate generates an estimated annual tax of $1,911. The actual amount varies slightly based on whether the property carries a mortgage and local levy adjustments.

Grant County homeowners should verify their assessments

Even in low-tax Grant County, property values can be overassessed during routine county appraisals. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if needed could provide further tax relief.

Cost of Living in Grant County

via CostByCounty

Grant punches above national average

At 11.5%, Grant County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national 12-14% comfort zone, signaling strong housing affordability. With a median household income of $72,484—just below the national average of $74,755—renters here spend roughly $8,400 annually on housing.

Kansas's most affordable rental market

Grant County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Kansas's most affordable counties, significantly outperforming the state average of 14.7%. Monthly rent of $696 pairs with solid incomes, creating a rare sweet spot in the region.

Renters flock here for value

Grant County offers the lowest rent ($696) and best rent-to-income ratio (11.5%) among its western Kansas peers, beating Harper ($693 rent, 15.0% ratio) and Graham ($726, 16.5%). Compared to Gray County's higher rent ($833) and similar income, Grant delivers clearer affordability.

Ownership carries steeper monthly burden

Renters in Grant pay $696 monthly (11.5% of income), while homeowners shoulder $964 monthly—a $268 jump that consumes 16.0% of median income. Homes value at $146,200, requiring stronger down payment capacity, though renting remains the budget-friendly option here.

Prime renting destination in western Kansas

Grant County's combination of low rent, strong income, and 11.5% ratio makes it a top choice for renters prioritizing affordability without sacrificing earnings potential. If homeownership is your goal, factor the $268 monthly premium and $146,200 home value into your financial planning.

Income & Jobs in Grant County

via IncomeByCounty

Grant slightly trails the national median

Grant County's median household income of $72,484 sits just $2,271 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it solidly near the national average. This relative strength reflects a diversified economic base beyond traditional agriculture.

Upper-middle income tier for Kansas

Grant County ranks above average among Kansas counties with a median income of $72,484, outpacing the state median of $64,428 by over $8,000. This positions Grant among the more prosperous rural counties in the state.

Competitive with strong southwestern peers

Grant County's $72,484 income edges out Harvey County ($73,269) and significantly outperforms Harper County ($55,417) and Graham County ($52,909). Only Gray County ($77,885) and Greeley County ($78,819) surpass Grant's earnings in the immediate region.

Housing costs are very affordable

Grant County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.5% is well below the recommended 15% threshold, meaning residents spend less than the national benchmark on housing. A median home value of $146,200 combined with solid incomes creates genuine affordability.

Invest surplus earnings strategically

Grant County households earning $72,484 have capacity to move beyond emergency savings into wealth-building investments like index funds and diversified portfolios. Take advantage of low housing costs to redirect savings toward retirement accounts and long-term investment goals.

Health in Grant County

via HealthByCounty

Grant County's life expectancy leads

Grant County residents live to 77.8 years on average, nearly 1.4 years longer than the U.S. national average of 76.4 years. However, 19.1% of Grant County residents report poor or fair health, a rate that exceeds the national average, indicating health challenges despite the higher life expectancy.

Kansas's longest-living county

Grant County's 77.8-year life expectancy is the highest among all Kansas counties studied, outpacing the state average of 75.4 years by 2.4 years. This significant advantage suggests favorable health conditions, though the elevated poor/fair health rate warrants attention to underlying health disparities.

Grant leads life expectancy, but health perception lags

While Grant County's 77.8-year life expectancy far exceeds neighboring Gray (77.5), Hamilton (74.4), and Harper (74.8) counties, its 19.1% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in the region. Mental health providers at 70 per 100K offer reasonable access, though primary care at 41 per 100K trails neighboring Harvey County's 74 per 100K.

Higher uninsured rates complicate care access

Grant County's uninsured rate of 17.5% significantly exceeds Kansas's 11.5% state average, leaving nearly 1 in 6 residents without health coverage. With only 41 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the county faces capacity challenges that combine with coverage gaps to impact daily healthcare access.

Closing the coverage gap in Grant County

With nearly 17.5% of Grant County residents uninsured, finding affordable coverage is essential to managing healthcare costs and accessing primary care. Explore options through Kansas's healthcare marketplace, Medicaid, and employer plans to join the majority of county residents with coverage.

Disaster Risk in Grant County

via RiskByCounty

Grant County Well Below National Disaster Risk

Grant County's composite risk score of 13.55 places it firmly in the very low risk category, significantly safer than the average U.S. county. Residents enjoy well-below-average exposure to most major natural disaster types.

Low Risk Across Kansas

Grant County scores 13.55 on the composite risk scale, less than half of Kansas's state average of 29.89, ranking among the state's safest counties. This puts Grant County residents in a notably more resilient position than most Kansans.

Safer Than Gray County, Similar to Graham

Grant County's risk score of 13.55 is considerably lower than Gray County's 36.74 but slightly higher than neighboring Graham County's 4.33. The county sits in the lower tier of regional risk exposure, particularly for western Kansas communities.

Wildfire Dominates Grant's Hazard Profile

Wildfire risk in Grant County reaches 51.11—the county's most significant threat and notably elevated compared to other hazards like tornado risk (30.15) and flood risk (3.12). This western Kansas exposure to grassland and rangeland fires deserves special attention in your disaster planning.

Prioritize Wildfire Coverage in Your Plan

Standard homeowners insurance in Grant County should emphasize wildfire and wind damage protection given the elevated wildfire threat. Consider defensible space maintenance around your property and consult your agent about coverage limits for structures on larger or rural properties.

ByCounty Network

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