Harvey County

Kansas · KS

#69 in Kansas
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Harvey County, Kansas

Harvey County ranks above national average

Harvey County's composite score of 65.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 30%, positioning it solidly above typical American counties. This reflects moderate strengths across multiple livability dimensions.

Slightly below Kansas baseline

Harvey County scores 65.1, placing it 0.9 points below Kansas's state average of 66.0. It ranks toward the lower-middle tier among Kansas counties—solidly livable but not a top performer.

Strong income with reasonable taxes

Harvey County boasts a median household income of $73,269 (income score 31.2) and an effective tax rate of just 1.452% (tax score 61.4). These factors support working families seeking reasonable earning potential with tax efficiency.

Higher housing costs compared to peers

Harvey County's cost score of 76.4 is the lowest in this group, reflecting median rent of $891 and home values at $173,300. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data remain unavailable for complete assessment.

Suits working families with solid income

Harvey County attracts dual-income families and professionals earning $70,000+ who value tax efficiency and moderate housing costs over maximum affordability. It's a practical choice for those willing to spend more on housing in exchange for good income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.4Cost76.4SafetyComing SoonHealth70.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.2Risk61.1WaterComing Soon
🏛61.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼31.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
61.1
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

Harvey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Harvey County

via TaxByCounty

Harvey County taxes nearly match national average

Harvey County's effective rate of 1.452% exceeds the national median of roughly 0.96% but sits slightly below Kansas's state average of 1.549%. The median property tax of $2,517 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, driven by moderately valued homes at $173,300.

Harvey ranks near state average for tax rates

At 1.452%, Harvey County's effective rate sits just under the state average of 1.549%, placing it solidly in the middle of Kansas's 105 counties. The median tax bill of $2,517 is notably above the state median of $1,943, reflecting above-average property values.

Harvey County has moderate taxes in its region

Harvey's 1.452% effective rate ranks in the lower half of this group, below Graham (1.732%), Greeley (1.910%), and Harper (1.784%), but above Grant (1.307%). The median tax of $2,517 is the second-highest among these eight counties due to higher property values.

Harvey County homeowner pays $2,517 annually

On a median home value of $173,300, Harvey County's 1.452% effective rate produces an estimated annual property tax of $2,517. Those with mortgages may see bills approach $2,633 when all county and local levies are applied.

Harvey County residents should verify home valuations

With above-average property values, even a modest overassessment can significantly impact your tax bill in Harvey County. Request a reassessment from the county assessor if you believe your home's valuation is too high compared to recent comparable sales.

Cost of Living in Harvey County

via CostByCounty

Harvey achieves national affordability balance

Harvey County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably within the national 12-14% affordability zone, supported by solid incomes of $73,269 nearly matching the national average of $74,755. Renters dedicate roughly $10,800 annually to housing here.

Slightly above Kansas average performance

At 14.6%, Harvey County's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Kansas's state average of 14.7%, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of county affordability. Strong household incomes offset modestly higher rents, creating competitive housing markets.

Higher costs, stronger incomes

Harvey County's $891 monthly rent is the second-highest in the region, yet its $73,269 income is competitive with Grant ($72,484) and stronger than Hamilton ($61,929), yielding a balanced 14.6% ratio. Gray County ($833 rent, $77,885 income) offers slightly lower rent but similar affordability math.

Ownership carries premium in Harvey

Monthly homeowner costs ($1,047) exceed rent ($891) by $156, pushing ownership expenses to 17.1% of income—a significant jump from the 14.6% rent figure. Homes value at $173,300, reflecting Harvey's stronger real estate market and requiring stronger financial positioning for buyers.

Strong rental market for middle-income earners

Harvey County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio makes it attractive for renters earning $70,000–$80,000 seeking moderate-priced housing without extreme constraints. If homeownership calls, prepare for the $1,047 monthly commitment and $173,300 entry price—significantly steeper than neighboring western counties.

Income & Jobs in Harvey County

via IncomeByCounty

Harvey slightly trails the national median

Harvey County's median household income of $73,269 falls just $1,486 below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it very close to the national average. This near-alignment reflects a relatively diversified local economy for a rural county.

Upper-middle income tier for Kansas

Harvey County ranks above the Kansas state median at $73,269, outpacing the $64,428 state average by nearly $8,900. This positions Harvey among Kansas's stronger-earning counties.

Strong performer among regional peers

Harvey's $73,269 income ranks competitively, closely matching Grant County ($72,484) and trailing only Gray ($77,885) and Greeley ($78,819). Harvey significantly outperforms Greenwood ($58,276), Hamilton ($61,929), Harper ($55,417), and Graham ($52,909).

Housing costs remain very manageable

Harvey County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% sits comfortably below the 15% affordability benchmark, providing genuine financial flexibility. A median home value of $173,300 paired with solid incomes supports sustainable homeownership for most residents.

Build long-term wealth systematically

Harvey County households with $73,269 median income have solid capacity to pursue diversified investments beyond basic savings. Maximize retirement account contributions, explore real estate opportunities, and develop a comprehensive wealth plan with professional guidance to achieve long-term financial goals.

Health in Harvey County

via HealthByCounty

Harvey County's health outcomes rank well

Harvey County residents live to 75.6 years on average, just below the U.S. national average of 76.4 years. With only 15.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national average of approximately 18%, suggesting residents enjoy relatively good health status.

Above-average health in Kansas

Harvey County's 75.6-year life expectancy slightly exceeds the Kansas state average of 75.4 years, and its 11% uninsured rate is the lowest among all counties studied. The county's 15.5% poor/fair health rate also beats the state average, indicating strong overall health outcomes.

Harvey leads on coverage and providers

Harvey County's 11% uninsured rate is the lowest in the region and its 74 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank among the highest. Most remarkably, Harvey County boasts 487 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far exceeding all neighboring counties and indicating exceptional behavioral health capacity.

Comprehensive coverage and access

Harvey County achieves the region's best health insurance coverage at 11% uninsured, matching most Kansans with plans. With 74 primary care providers and an extraordinary 487 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Harvey County residents enjoy the strongest access to both routine and behavioral health care in the region.

Maintain your coverage and use it

Harvey County's excellent health outcomes reflect both strong coverage and robust access to care. If you're among the 11% uninsured, now is the time to secure coverage on Healthcare.gov or through Kansas Medicaid to benefit from the county's exceptional provider network.

Disaster Risk in Harvey County

via RiskByCounty

Harvey County's Above-Average National Risk

Harvey County's composite risk score of 38.93 sits well above the national average, making it a higher-risk county compared to most U.S. communities. Residents face notably elevated exposure to multiple major natural disaster threats.

Highest-Risk County in Kansas

Harvey County's score of 38.93 significantly exceeds Kansas's state average of 29.89, making it the highest-risk county in the entire state. This places Harvey County residents in the most vulnerable position compared to all other Kansans.

Elevated Risk Across All Hazards

Harvey County's score of 38.93 ranks it as the highest-risk county in the region, well above Harper County (31.33) and far exceeding western Kansas peers like Grant County (13.55) and Graham County (4.33). The county faces substantially greater natural disaster exposure than virtually all neighboring communities.

Tornado Risk Dominates Your Threats

Tornado risk in Harvey County reaches 78.72—the highest in the state and your county's most critical hazard—followed by wildfire risk at 67.33 and flood risk at 38.87. These three hazards combine to create Harvey County's elevated overall disaster exposure.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

Harvey County residents should prioritize access to a certified storm shelter and maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance covering wind, hail, fire, and flooding. Given the county's tornado risk of 78.72 and flood risk of 38.87, consider flood insurance even outside high-risk zones and review all policy limits annually.

ByCounty Network

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