CountyScore

Harper County

Kansas · KS

#79 in Kansas
64.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Harper County, Kansas

Harper County exceeds national baseline

Harper County's composite score of 64.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 30%, reflecting above-average livability for an American county. This is driven primarily by strong housing affordability.

Slightly below Kansas average

Harper County scores 64.8, placing it 1.2 points below Kansas's state average of 66.0. It ranks in the lower-middle tier among Kansas counties, just ahead of Graham County.

Outstanding housing affordability

Harper County excels in cost affordability with a score of 85.7, median home value of just $77,300, and median rent at $693 per month. These among the lowest figures in this group, making it ideal for budget-conscious movers.

Income levels and tax burden lag

Harper County's income score of 19.6 reflects median household income of only $55,417, and its effective tax rate of 1.784% ranks among the highest in this group. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and water remain unavailable.

Best for cost-minimizers and retirees

Harper County appeals to individuals and families maximizing housing affordability while minimizing living expenses—particularly retirees and those on fixed incomes. It's a low-cost refuge for those prioritizing minimal financial outlay over income opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.1Cost85.7SafetyComing SoonHealth63.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk68.7WaterComing Soon
🏛52.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.7
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 Harper County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glenn County
California
64.8
Median income: $70,487
Coweta County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $94,142
Glynn County
Georgia
64.8
Median income: $68,546
Gallatin County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $87,454
Yellowstone County
Montana
64.8
Median income: $74,400

Deep Dives

Harper County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harper County

via TaxByCounty

Harper County has above-average property tax rate

Harper County's effective rate of 1.784% significantly exceeds the national median of roughly 0.96% and tops Kansas's state average of 1.549%. The median tax bill of $1,379 is far below the national median of $2,690, primarily because Harper homes are valued much lower at just $77,300.

Harper ranks above Kansas state average

At 1.784%, Harper County's effective rate places it solidly in the upper half of Kansas's 105 counties, exceeding the state average of 1.549%. The median tax of $1,379 is below the state median of $1,943 due to lower property values.

Harper County taxes are mid-range for the region

Harper's 1.784% rate falls between Graham County (1.732%) and Greeley County (1.910%), positioning it firmly in the upper half of western Kansas counties. The median tax of $1,379 is nearly identical to Greenwood County's $1,360, offering similar affordability.

Harper County resident pays $1,379 in taxes

On Harper County's median home value of $77,300, the 1.784% effective rate produces an estimated annual tax of $1,379. Homeowners with mortgages may see bills rise to approximately $1,741 after local levies are included.

Harper County homeowners should appeal overassessments

With above-average effective rates, Harper County homeowners benefit from closely reviewing their assessments. If your assessed value seems inflated, contacting the county assessor about an appeal could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Harper County

via CostByCounty

Harper's income pinch limits affordability

Harper County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national 12-14% comfort zone, driven by incomes of just $55,417 against the national average of $74,755. Renters here dedicate roughly $8,290 annually to housing costs.

Below-average statewide affordability

At 15.0%, Harper County's rent-to-income ratio runs above Kansas's state average of 14.7%, reflecting tight financial margins for renters. Monthly rent of $693 is the lowest in the region, yet doesn't fully offset income challenges.

Cheapest rents, lowest incomes

Harper County offers the region's most budget-friendly rents ($693), but its $55,417 median income is the lowest among western Kansas peers, resulting in a 15.0% ratio that exceeds affordable Grant ($696 rent, 11.5% ratio). Greenwood and Graham offer similar affordability structures with slightly better incomes.

Renting and owning cost nearly the same

Monthly rent ($693) and homeowner costs ($685) are virtually identical, each consuming roughly 15% of income for renters and 14.8% for owners. Homes value at just $77,300—the lowest in the region—making Harper ideal for budget-conscious buyers but offering limited wealth-building.

Lowest-cost option for ultra-tight budgets

Harper County's sub-$700 rents and $77,300 homes serve those prioritizing absolute minimum housing expenses over long-term equity gains. If household income is below $60,000 and affordability trumps all other factors, Harper delivers Kansas's flattest housing costs—but explore nearby Greenwood or Grant for marginally better income prospects.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Harper County

via IncomeByCounty

Harper significantly lags national income

Harper County's median household income of $55,417 falls nearly $19,400 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationally. This substantial gap reflects limited economic diversification in the rural county.

Among Kansas's lowest-income counties

Harper County ranks in the lower tier of Kansas counties at $55,417, trailing the state median of $64,428 by over $9,000. Only a handful of Kansas counties report lower income levels.

Weakest income in the region

Harper County's $55,417 income ranks among the lowest in southwestern Kansas, outpacing only Graham County ($52,909). Grant ($72,484), Gray ($77,885), Greeley ($78,819), and Harvey ($73,269) all significantly outperform Harper's earnings.

Housing costs press on limited incomes

Harper County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.0% sits right at the affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes a significant portion of household earnings. A median home value of $77,300 offers accessibility, but affordability remains tight for many residents.

Focus on financial stability first

Harper County residents earning $55,417 should prioritize securing stable employment and building basic emergency savings before considering investments. Connect with local nonprofit financial counselors to create manageable budgets and explore skill-building opportunities that can increase long-term earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Harper County

via HealthByCounty

Harper County faces health perception challenges

Harper County residents live to 74.8 years on average, 1.6 years below the U.S. national average of 76.4 years. Most strikingly, 21.8% of residents report poor or fair health—the highest rate among all counties studied and well above the national average of approximately 18%.

Highest poor/fair health rate in Kansas

Harper County's 21.8% poor/fair health rate is the worst among all Kansas counties studied, significantly exceeding the state average. While the uninsured rate of 11.8% is near the state average of 11.5%, the elevated health challenges suggest deeper issues beyond coverage.

Health perception worst in the region

Harper County's 21.8% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds neighboring Grant (19.1%), Gray (16.6%), and Hamilton (18%), indicating distinct health disadvantages. Life expectancy at 74.8 years also trails Grant (77.8) and Gray (77.5) counties, though mental health access at 37 per 100K is reasonable.

Good coverage, but health challenges persist

Harper County's uninsured rate of 11.8% is near the state average, so coverage barriers alone don't explain the county's elevated poor/fair health rate. With 56 primary care providers and 37 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, access is moderate, suggesting underlying health or socioeconomic factors driving poor outcomes.

Keep insurance active and access preventive care

While most Harper County residents have coverage, the high poor/fair health rate underscores the importance of using that coverage for preventive care and regular checkups. Ensure your plan is active, and work with your provider to address chronic conditions early.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Harper County

via RiskByCounty

Harper County: Moderate Risk Profile

Harper County's composite risk score of 31.33 places it at very low risk overall but slightly above the national average. Residents face somewhat elevated natural disaster exposure compared to typical U.S. counties, though the rating remains very low.

Above-Average Risk for Kansas

Harper County's score of 31.33 exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, making it a higher-risk county within the state. This positions Harper County in the upper-risk tier of Kansas communities, though still rated very low nationally.

Second-Highest Risk in the Region

Harper County's score of 31.33 ranks it as the second-highest-risk county in its immediate area, exceeded only by nearby Harvey County (38.93). The county faces notably greater disaster exposure than Grant County (13.55) and Graham County (4.33) to the north.

Tornado and Wildfire Top Your Threats

Tornado risk in Harper County reaches 62.72—the county's dominant natural hazard—followed by wildfire risk at 79.48 and earthquake risk at 27.32. Together, these three hazards account for the vast majority of Harper County's natural disaster exposure.

Invest in Storm Shelter and Coverage

Harper County residents should prioritize access to a certified storm shelter or safe room given tornado risk of 62.72 and wildfire risk of 79.48. Ensure your homeowners and renters insurance includes comprehensive wind, hail, and fire coverage with adequate limits for your property value.

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.