CountyScore

Morris County

Kansas · KS

#48 in Kansas
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Morris County, Kansas

Morris County performs well nationally

Morris County's composite score of 66.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. Strong affordability and low taxes drive this above-average national standing.

Slightly above Kansas average

Morris County ranks marginally above the Kansas state average of 66.0, placing it in the upper-middle range of the state's 105 counties. The county maintains competitive livability across measured dimensions.

Affordability and tax efficiency shine

Morris County combines excellent housing affordability (cost score 83.2, median home value $120,900) with low taxes (tax score 58.8, effective rate 1.547%). Monthly rent averages just $711, making the county highly accessible for cost-conscious households.

Income levels constrain opportunity

Morris County's income score of 20.4 reflects median household income of $56,716—among the lowest in this group—limiting household earnings potential. Unmeasured factors including health, schools, safety, and water quality leave livability gaps incomplete.

Ideal for minimalist rural families

Morris County appeals to families and retirees minimizing financial obligations while maintaining a rural lifestyle, particularly those earning modest incomes. The county's combination of low housing costs and reasonable taxes enables sustainable living for those practicing fiscal discipline.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.8Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk72.6WaterComing Soon
🏛58.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.6
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 Morris County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
Arkansas
67.6
Median income: $71,449
Fayette County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $58,764
Madison County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $89,542
Anderson County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $64,925
Meade County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $74,868

Deep Dives

Morris County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morris County

via TaxByCounty

Morris taxes slightly above national median

Morris County's effective tax rate of 1.547% exceeds the national median of 1.29%, placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. The median property tax of $1,870 is about 30% lower than the national median of $2,690, reflecting Kansas's lower home values overall.

Right at Kansas state average

Morris's 1.547% effective rate sits just slightly below the Kansas state average of 1.549%, making it extremely typical statewide. The median tax of $1,870 is slightly below the state median of $1,943 due to somewhat lower property values.

Mid-range taxes among nearby counties

Morris's 1.547% rate places it between the tax-friendly Marshall (1.280%) and the higher-taxed Marion (1.726%) and Mitchell (1.901%). Its median tax of $1,870 represents a balanced property tax burden for the region.

What Morris homeowners actually pay

The median Morris home valued at $120,900 generates roughly $1,870 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,142; without one, it drops to $1,707.

You may be overassessed

Morris County homeowners should verify assessments match recent comparable sales in their area. Even modest overvaluations compound into thousands in overpayment over a homeownership lifetime—appeals are worth exploring.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morris County

via CostByCounty

Morris County renters face above-average burden

At 15.0%, Morris County's rent-to-income ratio matches Miami County's and exceeds the national average, signaling housing costs that demand a significant income share. Median household income of $56,716 falls well below the national median of $74,755, creating affordability pressure despite modest rent of $711.

Morris County ranks below Kansas affordability

Morris County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 14.7%, placing it among Kansas's least affordable counties despite the lowest incomes in this survey. The county struggles to balance low earning potential with even modest housing costs.

Morris faces rural Kansas affordability challenges

Morris County's $711 median rent falls in the middle of regional options, but its $56,716 median income ranks among the lowest alongside Montgomery ($53,242), creating above-average rent burden. Compared to better-earning neighbors like Marshall and McPherson, Morris residents face tighter housing-cost squeeze.

Housing claims 15% of Morris County incomes

A typical Morris County household earning $56,716 annually spends $711 monthly on rent, or about 15% of gross income—above-average burden for a lower-income community. Homeowners invest $825 monthly on median-valued properties of $120,900, a manageable figure offset by reduced renter affordability.

Morris County requires strong job prospects

Morris County's below-average incomes combined with above-average rent ratios make it a relocation risk unless your new employment significantly exceeds current county wage levels. Consider Marshall County's superior affordability or McPherson's higher earning potential before committing to Morris.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morris County

via IncomeByCounty

Morris County substantially trails national average

Morris County's median household income of $56,716 falls well below the national median of $74,755 by about 24%, positioning it among lower-income American counties. This substantial gap reflects Morris County's rural economy and employment limitations compared to national benchmarks.

Below-average earners in Morris County

Morris County ranks in the lower half of Kansas counties with a $56,716 median household income, trailing the state average of $64,428 by approximately $7,700. This below-state-average position indicates Morris faces economic challenges relative to most other Kansas communities.

Morris ranks among lower-earning neighbors

Morris County's $56,716 income trails Marion County ($63,438) and Marshall County ($70,828), matching only Montgomery County ($53,242) among the comparison group. The nearly $7,000 gap versus Marion County reflects Morris's weaker employment base and economic opportunities within the region.

Housing costs burden Morris households

Morris County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national 12% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend a substantially higher share of lower earnings on housing than typical Americans. The median home value of $120,900 represents a challenging price point for households earning $56,716 annually.

Morris County: modest wealth-building strategies

With median household income at $56,716, Morris County families need careful financial planning to build wealth, starting with achievable savings goals of $1,000–$2,000 annually directed to accessible savings accounts or employer retirement plans. Focus on expense reduction and finding community financial assistance can free up resources for long-term financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Morris County

via HealthByCounty

Morris slightly trails national average

Morris County's 75.5-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, a small but measurable gap. The 16.8% poor/fair health rate sits below the national average of 17%, suggesting Morris's population carries moderate health burden for its lifespan.

Morris lags Kansas's state average

At 75.5 years, Morris County's life expectancy trails Kansas's 75.4-year state average by just 0.1 year—essentially at parity with the state. The 10.6% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 11.5%, indicating adequate health insurance coverage.

Morris sits in the middle tier

Morris County's 75.5-year life expectancy places it squarely between high performers like McPherson (77.6) and struggling counties like Meade (74.1). With 56 primary care providers per 100K and 75 mental health providers, Morris offers moderate provider density—better than Marion but less than Marshall or Mitchell.

Moderate coverage and provider access

Morris County's 10.6% uninsured rate sits modestly below the state average, meaning most residents maintain health coverage. With 56 primary care providers and 75 mental health specialists per 100K, Morris residents enjoy reasonable access to healthcare, though travel distances may exceed those in higher-density counties.

Get covered in Morris County

If you're among Morris's 10.6% uninsured residents, visit healthcare.gov to explore marketplace plans and subsidies. Securing coverage connects you to Morris's network of providers and supports your long-term health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morris County

via RiskByCounty

Morris County's low risk profile

Morris County scores 27.45 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting slightly below Kansas's state average of 29.89. This places the county in a favorable risk tier nationally.

Below-average risk for Kansas

Morris County ranks in the lower-risk tier among Kansas's 105 counties, with below-average exposure across most hazard types. Its Very Low rating reflects one of the state's more favorable natural disaster profiles.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Morris County's 27.45 score sits below Marshall (21.41) but outperforms Marion (37.98) and McPherson (39.22). The county benefits from a relatively balanced, moderate-risk geographic position.

Wildfire the leading concern

Wildfire risk reaches 84.06, the highest hazard in Morris County and significantly elevated compared to most statewide peers. Tornado exposure ranks second at 54.20, representing a secondary but notable threat.

Wildfire preparedness priority

Morris County residents should maintain homeowners insurance with robust wildfire coverage and clear vegetation around home perimeters. Standard policies typically cover wildfire damage, but verifying adequate limits and low deductibles ensures solid protection.

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.