Greenwood County

Kansas · KS

#49 in Kansas
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Greenwood County, Kansas

Greenwood County exceeds national median

Greenwood County's composite score of 66.7 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 33%, placing it solidly above average nationwide. This performance rests primarily on exceptional housing affordability.

Right at Kansas average

Greenwood County scores 66.7, just 0.7 points above Kansas's state average of 66.0, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper tier among Kansas counties. It represents a typical solid Kansas livability option.

Housing affordability is exceptional

Greenwood County leads this group in housing affordability with a cost score of 86.1, median home value of $82,600, and median rent at just $710. These figures make it one of Kansas's most budget-friendly counties.

Lower incomes and incomplete picture

The county's income score of 21.4 reflects a median household income of just $58,276, limiting earning potential for working-age residents. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable.

Perfect for budget seekers and retirees

Greenwood County attracts those seeking maximum housing affordability with minimal income requirements—ideal for retirees, fixed-income households, and remote workers. It's a value-first choice for those willing to trade earning potential for extremely low living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth66.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk75.5WaterComing Soon
🏛56
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
75.5
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

Greenwood County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Greenwood County

via TaxByCounty

Greenwood County offers below-average property taxes

Greenwood County's effective rate of 1.647% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.96% but stays below Kansas's state average of 1.549%. The median tax bill of just $1,360—the lowest among these eight Kansas counties—reflects Greenwood's low median home value of $82,600.

Greenwood ranks in lower half of Kansas counties

At 1.647%, Greenwood County's effective rate sits slightly above the state average of 1.549%, placing it in the middle range among Kansas's 105 counties. The median tax of $1,360 is the second-lowest among all Kansas counties, making it highly affordable for homeowners.

Greenwood has the lowest median tax in the region

Greenwood's median tax bill of $1,360 undersells all neighboring counties in this analysis, including Harper ($1,379) and Graham ($1,538). Though its effective rate slightly exceeds Grant County's 1.307%, Greenwood's lower property values deliver the region's lowest actual tax payments.

Greenwood County resident pays just $1,360 yearly

On a median home value of $82,600, Greenwood County's 1.647% effective rate generates an estimated annual tax of $1,360. This is the lowest median tax bill among these eight counties, offering affordability for budget-conscious homeowners.

Greenwood County homeowners should verify fair assessments

Even at low tax rates, incorrect assessments occur in Greenwood County. Request a review with the county assessor to confirm your property is valued accurately and avoid paying more than necessary.

Cost of Living in Greenwood County

via CostByCounty

Greenwood renters stay near national norms

At 14.6%, Greenwood County's rent-to-income ratio edges just above the national 12-14% comfort zone, despite below-average incomes of $58,276 versus the national $74,755. Renters here dedicate roughly $8,640 annually to housing costs.

Right at Kansas affordability average

Greenwood County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio virtually matches Kansas's state average of 14.7%, placing it squarely in the middle of affordability performance statewide. Monthly rent of $710 is $77 below the state median, reflecting the county's rural character.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Greenwood's $710 rent mirrors Harper ($693) and Graham ($726), but Greenwood's $58,276 income falls between them, resulting in a 14.6% ratio. Compared to more prosperous Grant County ($696 rent, 11.5% ratio) or Gray County ($833 rent, 12.8% ratio), Greenwood offers budget accessibility with trade-offs in income stability.

Ownership saves money monthly

Monthly owner costs ($637) undercut rent ($710) by $73, though renters still dominate the ratio game at 14.6% versus an implied 13.2% for owners. Homes value at just $82,600, the second-lowest in the region, making ownership entry accessible even on Greenwood's modest incomes.

Value-first option for cautious movers

Greenwood County's sub-$83,000 home values and $637 monthly ownership costs appeal to those prioritizing low prices over income potential. If stability matters more than growth and you're comfortable with $58,000-range household earnings, Greenwood delivers straightforward affordability without high-income requirements.

Income & Jobs in Greenwood County

via IncomeByCounty

Greenwood lags well behind national income

Greenwood County's median household income of $58,276 falls roughly $16,500 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower income bracket nationally. This income gap reflects the county's rural, agriculture-dependent economy.

Below-average income for the state

Greenwood County ranks in the lower half of Kansas counties at $58,276, trailing the state median of $64,428 by over $6,100. The county faces economic headwinds compared to more diversified Kansas regions.

Mid-range earnings for the area

Greenwood's $58,276 income sits between underperforming neighbors like Graham ($52,909) and Harper ($55,417) and stronger performers like Grant ($72,484) and Gray ($77,885). Hamilton County ($61,929) represents a comparable peer in the regional income spectrum.

Housing costs are reasonable but tight

Greenwood County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% sits just below the 15% affordability threshold, leaving limited surplus for other necessities. A median home value of $82,600 keeps housing markets accessible despite moderate incomes.

Build financial resilience strategically

Greenwood County residents earning $58,276 should prioritize building an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses before investing aggressively. Explore low-cost investment vehicles like employer retirement plans and automated savings strategies to build long-term financial security.

Health in Greenwood County

via HealthByCounty

Greenwood County's life expectancy challenge

Greenwood County residents live to 73.5 years on average, nearly 2.9 years below the U.S. national average of 76.4 years. Combined with a 17.4% poor/fair health rate that exceeds the national average, Greenwood faces significant health challenges that warrant attention.

Lowest life expectancy in Kansas

Greenwood County's 73.5-year life expectancy is the lowest among all Kansas counties studied, falling 1.9 years below the state average of 75.4 years. This gap suggests systemic health challenges in the county that require targeted interventions.

Significant health disadvantage in the region

Greenwood County's 73.5-year life expectancy trails all nearby counties, including Harper (74.8), Hamilton (74.4), and Grant (77.8), by as much as 4.3 years. With only 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Greenwood's provider capacity also lags several neighboring counties.

Limited coverage challenges, moderate provider access

Greenwood County's uninsured rate of 11.1% is actually below the Kansas state average of 11.5%, reflecting reasonable coverage rates. However, with only 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 34 mental health providers per 100K, the county offers limited specialty access for a population facing health challenges.

Keep coverage to stay healthy

As Greenwood County works to address health disparities, maintaining or obtaining health coverage is critical to accessing the primary and mental health care residents need. Review your coverage options through Kansas Medicaid and Healthcare.gov to ensure you're protected.

Disaster Risk in Greenwood County

via RiskByCounty

Greenwood County: Below-Average National Risk

Greenwood County's composite risk score of 24.49 places it in the very low risk category and below the typical U.S. county's disaster exposure. Residents face less severe natural hazard threats than most Americans, though slightly more than some Kansas peers.

Mid-Range Risk Within Kansas

Greenwood County's score of 24.49 sits slightly below Kansas's state average of 29.89, positioning the county as a lower-risk Kansas community. This puts Greenwood County in the safer half of the state's natural disaster risk rankings.

Moderate Risk for Southeast Kansas

Greenwood County's score of 24.49 falls between Grant County (13.55) to the west and the higher-risk counties to the east, reflecting a moderate position in its region. The county shows considerably lower risk than nearby Harvey County (38.93).

Wildfire Dominates Greenwood's Risk Profile

Wildfire risk in Greenwood County reaches 91.32—by far the county's most significant natural hazard and among the highest in the state. Flood risk at 26.59 presents a secondary concern, while tornado and earthquake threats remain minimal.

Wildfire Insurance Is Your Priority

Greenwood County's exceptionally high wildfire risk of 91.32 makes comprehensive fire and burn coverage essential in your homeowners insurance policy. Work with your agent to ensure adequate limits for structural and contents coverage, and maintain defensible space around your property to reduce exposure.

ByCounty Network

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