CountyScore

Johnson County

Kansas · KS

#94 in Kansas
62
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Kansas

Above median despite premium pricing

Johnson County scores 60.8 out of 100, comfortably above the national median of 50.0, driven by notably higher incomes that offset significantly elevated housing costs. The county represents a wealthier, more urban profile than its rural peers.

Below state average, lowest of this group

At 60.8, Johnson ranks last among the eight profiled counties and falls notably below the state average of 66.0. This reflects the premium-cost, higher-income tradeoff typical of Kansas's largest metro area.

Highest incomes drive the profile

Johnson dominates on income with a median household income of $107,261 and an income score of 53.4, far exceeding all other profiled counties. Combined with a tax score of 69.8 and effective rate of 1.153%, the county maximizes earning and wealth-building potential.

Housing costs dramatically higher

Johnson's median home value of $366,000 and median rent of $1,385/month are two to four times higher than rural peers, producing a cost score of just 55.9. These premium prices mean housing consumes a significantly larger share of household budgets despite higher incomes.

For high-earning metro professionals

Johnson County suits affluent professionals and established families who prioritize higher incomes, urban amenities, and lower taxes over housing affordability. The county works best for those with household incomes exceeding $100,000 who accept premium housing costs as part of metropolitan living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.8Cost55.9SafetyComing SoonHealth84SchoolsComing SoonIncome53.4Risk5.2WaterComing Soon
🏛69.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼53.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.2
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 Johnson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bryan County
Georgia
62
Median income: $94,234
Cherokee County
Georgia
62
Median income: $105,442
Marion County
Illinois
62
Median income: $60,839
Delaware County
New York
62
Median income: $60,226
Aransas County
Texas
62
Median income: $61,754

Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson County taxes low despite wealthy homes

Johnson County's effective tax rate of 1.153% ranks in the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties—an exceptional advantage for property owners. With a median home value of $366,000—30% above the national median—the median property tax of $4,221 remains below the national median of $2,690 in percentage terms, delivering substantial savings on high-value properties.

Johnson ranks second-best in Kansas rates

At 1.153%, Johnson County's effective tax rate trails only Jackson County's 1.190% statewide and beats the Kansas average of 1.549% by 26%. This exceptional rate makes Johnson one of Kansas's most tax-friendly counties despite its status as the state's wealthiest.

Johnson vastly outpaces neighboring counties

Johnson's 1.153% rate is the state's second-lowest and dramatically outperforms all surveyed regional counties, including Jackson (1.190%) and Jefferson (1.276%). A Johnson homeowner with a $200,000 home saves roughly $1,200 annually compared to a Jewell resident with similar property value.

Johnson homeowners enjoy massive tax savings

A median-value home in Johnson County valued at $366,000 carries an estimated annual property tax of just $4,221—roughly half what comparable national properties pay. For wealthy homeowners, Johnson's combination of low rates and premium values creates extraordinary tax efficiency.

Even low-rate Johnson can benefit from appeals

Johnson's exceptional tax advantage doesn't eliminate assessment errors—even wealthy counties see valuation mistakes. If your home's assessed value diverges significantly from recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, request a reassessment; high-value properties can see five-figure tax savings from successful challenges.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson County: Kansas's premium housing market

Johnson County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, reflecting a high-income, high-cost market where median household income reaches $107,261—44% above the national average. Renters pay $1,385 monthly and homeowners $1,779, but these costs are absorbed by substantially larger incomes than most Americans earn.

Kansas's wealthiest, priciest county

Johnson County dominates Kansas economically and ranks highest for both household income ($107,261) and housing costs, with a 15.5% rent-to-income ratio above the state average. This is Kansas's premium market—attracting affluent professionals and established families willing to pay for suburban amenities near Kansas City.

Dramatically different from rural Kansas

Johnson County's $1,385 rent and $366,000 median home value dwarf neighbors like Haskell ($776 rent, $154,800 homes) and Jewell ($591 rent, $62,100 homes). This reflects Johnson's suburban proximity to Kansas City and concentration of corporate headquarters, medical centers, and professional services.

High earners absorb high housing costs

Renters dedicate 15.5% of their substantial $107,261 income to housing, while homeowners commit 19.9% to monthly ownership costs of $1,779. This ratio appears elevated, but the underlying income is so high that residents retain considerable disposable income despite premium housing costs.

Johnson County for high earners only

If you're relocating with a six-figure income and prioritize suburban amenities, top schools, and proximity to Kansas City job markets, Johnson County justifies its $366,000 median home values and $1,385 rents. Otherwise, compare rural and small-town alternatives across Kansas for dramatically lower costs and comparable quality of life.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson County Dominates National Rankings

Johnson County's median household income of $107,261 crushes the national median of $74,755 by 43.5%, placing it in the top 5% of U.S. counties by household income. This extraordinary wealth concentration reflects Johnson's position as the Kansas City metro's economic engine—home to corporate headquarters, professional services, and high-wage employment. Few counties nationally match Johnson's income dominance.

Unmatched Kansas Economic Power

At $107,261, Johnson County exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by 66.5%, dwarfing all other counties in the comparison group. Per capita income of $58,292 is nearly double the state average, reflecting high-earning professionals and executives concentrated in the Kansas City metro. Johnson is the state's undisputed economic leader.

Wealth Gap Separates Johnson

Johnson County's $107,261 median income exceeds every peer by $30,000–55,000: Jefferson ($77,393), Jackson ($72,703), Kearny ($74,135), Haskell ($69,138), Hodgeman ($63,125), Kingman ($59,819), and Jewell ($52,344). This commanding advantage reflects Johnson's suburban metro status, professional workforce, and corporate base. Johnson operates in a different economic sphere than rural Kansas peers.

Housing Costs Still Competitive

Johnson's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio, while higher than rural neighbors, remains well below the 30% burden threshold and reflects strong affordability despite premium metro pricing. A median home value of $366,000 represents 3.4 years of median household income—typical for affluent suburban markets nationwide. High income enables comfortable homeownership even at elevated price points.

Sophisticated Wealth Strategies Available

Johnson County households can maximize all retirement vehicles—401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, backdoor conversions—while still maintaining taxable investment and real estate portfolios. Multi-million-dollar net worth is achievable through diversified strategies: equity diversification, real estate leverage, and tax-optimized withdrawals. Johnson's income creates opportunities for comprehensive wealth planning most counties cannot access.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson sets national health standard

Johnson County's 80.6-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by over four years, placing it among America's healthiest communities. Just 10.1% report poor or fair health—one of the nation's lowest rates—and only 5.9% lack insurance, demonstrating exceptional health security. With 119 primary care and 317 mental health providers per 100K, Johnson commands unmatched healthcare infrastructure.

Kansas's gold standard for health

Johnson County dominates Kansas health rankings with 80.6-year life expectancy—5.2 years above the state average of 75.4 years. Its 10.1% poor/fair health rate ranks best in the state, and 5.9% uninsured is less than half the state average of 11.5%, reflecting wealth and access concentration. Johnson's 317 mental health providers per 100K dwarfs all other counties, revealing the state's most robust behavioral health infrastructure.

Regional health powerhouse

Johnson County's 80.6-year life expectancy surpasses every nearby county, including Jewell (80.1 years) and Haskell (78.9 years). Its 10.1% poor/fair health rate and 5.9% uninsured rate represent the state's best performance, with 119 primary care and 317 mental health providers per 100K commanding unmatched provider density. Johnson's health advantage reflects concentrated resources and wealth.

Healthcare access without peer

Johnson County's 5.9% uninsured rate—less than half the state average—ensures nearly all residents can afford preventive and acute care. The county's 119 primary care providers per 100K offer reliable front-line access, while 317 mental health providers per 100K represent an extraordinary investment in behavioral health. This combination creates a healthcare system designed to catch and treat illness early.

Optimize coverage for your needs

Even in Johnson County's robust health system, reviewing your coverage annually is wise to ensure it matches your changing needs. Visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and confirm you're getting the best value and benefits. Proactive coverage decisions keep you prepared for whatever health challenges arise.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson County: Highest Risk in Kansas

Johnson County's composite risk score of 94.85 places it in the Relatively High category and far above the national average. This metropolitan county faces exceptional exposure to floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, making disaster preparedness essential.

Kansas's Most Disaster-Prone County

Johnson's 94.85 score towers above the Kansas average of 29.89, making it by far the state's highest-risk county in this sample. The gap reflects Johnson's dense urban development in flood-prone terrain and its position in Kansas's tornado alley.

Dramatically Riskier Than All Neighbors

Johnson (94.85) dwarfs neighboring Jefferson (19.66) and all other Kansas sample counties, with risk scores 3-16 times higher. This exceptional hazard exposure stems from Johnson's location in greater Kansas City's flood zone and tornado corridor.

Floods and Tornadoes: Johnson's Twin Threats

Flood risk reaches 94.88 and tornado risk 98.92—both among the nation's highest for any county. Earthquake risk at 75.70 and wildfire at 61.23 add additional layers of hazard exposure unusual for Kansas.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

Johnson County residents must carry flood insurance separately from homeowner policies—standard coverage excludes it entirely. Add a windstorm endorsement for tornadoes, verify earthquake coverage is available, and develop a family disaster plan with multiple evacuation routes.

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.