CountyScore

Kearny County

Kansas · KS

#55 in Kansas
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Kearny County, Kansas

Solid livability above national average

Kearny County scores 66.4 out of 100, meaningfully exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates balanced performance across economic and housing fundamentals.

Right at the heart of Kansas average

Kearny's score of 66.4 nearly matches the state average of 66.0, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper tier of profiled counties. It ranks fifth among the eight counties in overall livability.

Well-balanced tax and income profile

Kearny delivers a strong tax score of 67.8 with an effective rate of 1.224, combined with a respectable median household income of $74,135. This balance gives households meaningful earnings and low tax drag.

Moderate costs with modest income growth

While housing remains reasonable with a median home value of $152,500 and rent at $1,137/month, the income score of 31.8 suggests limited high-wage opportunities. Data gaps on schools, health, safety, and water quality prevent complete livability assessment.

Balanced choice for middle-income families

Kearny suits families and workers seeking a middle ground: reasonable housing costs, fair taxes, and solid middle-class income without the premium pricing of larger metro areas. The county offers straightforward livability for those prioritizing economic stability over growth potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.8Cost74SafetyComing SoonHealth60.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk91.7WaterComing Soon
🏛67.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.7
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 Kearny County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Plumas County
California
67
Median income: $64,946
Kootenai County
Idaho
67
Median income: $77,034
Schuyler County
Illinois
67
Median income: $66,059
Johnson County
Indiana
67
Median income: $87,227
Rush County
Kansas
67
Median income: $60,288

Deep Dives

Kearny County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kearny County

via TaxByCounty

Kearny taxes run moderately below national norm

Kearny County's effective tax rate of 1.224% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.83%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,867 on a home valued at $152,500 is 31% below the national median, reflecting lower property values across the region.

Kearny slightly beats Kansas state average

At 1.224%, Kearny's effective tax rate runs 21% below the Kansas average of 1.549%, positioning it well in the lower half of the state's counties. The county offers a favorable tax environment compared to most Kansas peers.

Kearny among southwest Kansas's best rates

Kearny's 1.224% rate sits between Jackson County's best-in-class 1.190% and the region's higher-burden counties like Kingman (1.784%) and Hodgeman (1.767%). For southwest Kansas, Kearny ranks among the more tax-friendly options.

Kearny homeowners pay moderate annual taxes

A median-value home in Kearny County valued at $152,500 carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,867. Mortgage-holding homeowners typically pay $1,769 annually when county levies are included.

Appeal if your assessment seems inflated

Even in moderately taxed Kearny County, assessment errors can add hundreds to your annual bill. If your home's assessed value exceeds what recent comparable sales suggest, submit a reassessment request to your county assessor—it's a straightforward, cost-free process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kearny County

via CostByCounty

Kearny's rents strain household budgets

Kearny County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among all comparison counties and well above the national comfort zone, signaling real affordability pressure. Despite a median household income of $74,135 near the national average, residents pay $1,137 monthly rent—a disproportionately high burden.

Kansas's most expensive rental market

Kearny County ranks as Kansas's least affordable for renters, with an 18.4% rent-to-income ratio far exceeding the state average of 14.7%. The $1,137 monthly rent is the highest among rural Kansas counties, creating significant budget strain despite moderate household income levels.

Rental outlier in western Kansas

Kearny's $1,137 monthly rent towers over Haskell ($776), Hodgeman ($900), and Jewell ($591), making it the priciest rental market in the rural comparison set. Homeownership costs ($901) are more reasonable, and home values ($152,500) suggest the rental premium reflects local market dynamics rather than overall prosperity.

Renters bear disproportionate cost

Renters in Kearny dedicate 18.4% of their income to housing—well above the 15% affordability threshold—while homeowners spend a more manageable 14.6% on ownership costs. This split suggests a rental market distorted by local economic conditions, making homeownership the more sustainable housing path.

Kearny works best for homebuyers

Renters should proceed carefully in Kearny County due to its 18.4% rent-to-income ratio, but homebuyers find reasonable value at $152,500 median home prices with manageable monthly costs of $901. If you must rent here, budget aggressively and compare opportunities in neighboring Haskell and Hodgeman counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kearny County

via IncomeByCounty

Kearny Nearly Matches National Average

Kearny County's median household income of $74,135 sits just 0.8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it essentially at parity with the U.S. average. This near-perfect alignment with national norms is notable for a rural Kansas county, reflecting balanced economic opportunity. Kearny ranks in the 45th-50th percentile nationally—solidly middle-income.

Above-Average Kansas Performance

At $74,135, Kearny County exceeds Kansas's state average of $64,428 by 15.1%, ranking in the upper-middle tier statewide. This strong regional standing reflects agricultural productivity and diversified local employment relative to many rural Kansas peers. Kearny performs above typical for its region.

Competitive With Strongest Peers

Kearny County's $74,135 median income approaches Jackson County ($72,703) and nearly matches Jefferson County ($77,393), exceeding Haskell ($69,138), Hodgeman ($63,125), Kingman ($59,819), and Jewell ($52,344). This strong regional position reflects Kearny's agricultural base and stable employment. Kearny ranks second in the peer group, trailing only Jefferson County.

Housing Affordability Pressured by Rent

Kearny's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the peer group, approaching burden territory and suggesting rental costs consume substantial household income. A median home value of $152,500 remains affordable, but renters face material affordability stress relative to homeowners. Rent inflation outpaces wage growth, creating vulnerability for lower-wage households.

Homeownership as Wealth Strategy

Kearny households should prioritize transitioning from renting to homeownership given elevated rent-to-income ratios; a $152,500 median home value is achievable and builds equity instead of paying rent. Once stable in homeownership, systematic investment in retirement accounts compounds wealth substantially. Home equity plus retirement savings create dual wealth engines.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kearny County

via HealthByCounty

Kearny faces serious health headwinds

Kearny County's 76.4-year life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, yet 21.7% report poor or fair health—among the highest rates nationally. One in six residents (16.5%) lack insurance, more than double the national uninsured rate, creating barriers to preventive care that compound chronic disease. Despite 129 primary care and 52 mental health providers per 100K, these resources haven't arrested the county's health challenges.

Health crisis hidden by averages

Kearny's 76.4-year life expectancy matches the Kansas average of 75.4 years, masking a deeper crisis: its 21.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst. The 16.5% uninsured rate—nearly 1.5 times the state average of 11.5%—indicates many Kearny residents avoid care due to cost. This combination suggests Kearny is managing acute health conditions reactively rather than preventing them proactively.

Regional health outlier

Kearny's 21.7% poor/fair health rate stands out as the worst among regional peers including Jackson (14.8%) and Jefferson (12.9%), a gap of 7-9 percentage points. Its 16.5% uninsured rate nearly doubles Jefferson's 9.0% and exceeds Haskell's 21.2%, revealing acute access barriers. Despite 129 primary care providers per 100K—the region's highest—Kearny residents report the poorest health, suggesting underlying determinants beyond provider supply.

Insurance gaps drive health crisis

Kearny's 16.5% uninsured rate leaves one in six residents unable to afford preventive care, emergency treatment, or medication—a recipe for worsening health. The county offers 129 primary care providers per 100K (highest in the region) and 52 mental health providers per 100K, yet 21.7% poor/fair health persists. This mismatch suggests cost, transportation, or health literacy barriers outweigh provider availability.

Coverage is your health lifeline

With one in six Kearny residents uninsured, enrollment is urgent and could be life-changing. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans; many qualify for tax credits that make coverage affordable. Getting covered today prevents the medical crises and debt that plague uninsured Kearny families.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kearny County

via RiskByCounty

Kearny County: One of Nation's Safest

Kearny County scores just 8.37 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the nation's lowest-risk counties. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal flood exposure and moderate tornado and wildfire risks.

Second-Safest County in Kansas

At 8.37, Kearny ranks second only to Hodgeman (5.95) among Kansas counties and far below the state average of 29.89. The county's combination of low flood and tornado risks creates remarkable disaster resilience.

Safest in Its Western Kansas Region

Kearny (8.37) significantly outperforms Hodgeman (5.95)—the only safer Kansas county—and beats all other western neighbors. Its low-flood, low-tornado profile contrasts sharply with riskier eastern Kansas communities.

Wildfire Is Kearny's Only Notable Hazard

Wildfire risk at 32.16 stands as the county's primary concern, while flood (3.21) and tornado (21.06) risks remain minimal. Dry-season vegetation fires warrant attention, but overall hazard exposure remains exceptionally low.

Focus on Wildfire Preparedness

Ensure your homeowner policy covers wildfire damage, as it's Kearny's only meaningful natural disaster risk. Maintain defensible space, keep vegetation trimmed back from structures, and stay informed during dry seasons when fire danger peaks.

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.